“It looks like The Traitors’ castle.” 

This is my first thought as our chauffeur pulls a Mercedes S Class up to Culloden Estate and Spa and I’m admittedly delighted. 

Like many, I’d fallen in love with the BBC reality show’s iconic Ardross Castle. And like many, I had felt somewhat aggrieved to discover the Scottish Baronial fortress was closed to the public. 

Cue a hunt to find the next best thing: a place I could channel my inner treachery, without the fear of being murdered or banished. 

Fortunately, I wasn’t searching long. 

Just one look at Culloden Estate and Spa, a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is enough to conjure up images of the ‘whodunnit’ series. 

Situated just outside Belfast in the Holywood Hills, this 19th-century property has been a must-visit for luxury travellers to Northern Ireland (and now The Traitors fans) for nearly 30 years. 

Its affluent postcode offers the seclusion required by VIP clients, while its fairytale aesthetic promises a home to live ‘happily ever after’ – or at least, until it’s time to check-out. 

What are rooms and suites like at Culloden Estate and Spa? 

Culloden Estate and Spa offers 98 individually decorated rooms, many of which were refreshed during the hotel’s £500,000 refurbishment in 2025. 

We stayed in the Clock Tower Suite, one of Culloden’s three signature Tower Suites. Hidden away on the seventh floor, this lavish bolthole offers breathtaking views of Belfast Lough as well as a nook with a loveseat and two armchairs – the ideal spot for sipping your complimentary Baileys after turndown. 

Interiors are timelessly elegant; think mahogany furniture, gold carpet and gathered balloon curtains. The classic luxury continues in the spacious bathroom, where you’ll find a veined marble bath, ESPA toiletries and a partial lough view. Other highlights include the King Koil ‘Cloud Bed’ mattress, marshmallowy soft robes, and of course, a selection of blends from Thompson’s Family Tea. (It’s worth noting that there is a short staircase leading up to this suite.) 

The Estate Suite is another solid choice for discerning clients. These regal quarters offer a view of Culloden’s manicured gardens and their stately sculptures, as well as a lounge area with a gas fire and dining table. 

At the highest level is the Palace Suite, which, as its name suggests, is fit for a monarch. The largest of Culloden’s suites, this opulent space comes with a private balcony overlooking Belfast Lough, a plush sitting room and an antique dining table that can seat up to eight guests. 

What is the food like at Culloden Estate and Spa? 

Culloden Estate and Spa takes food very seriously, and nowhere is this clearer than in its main restaurant. 

Vespers has an almost sacred approach to dining, defined by clerical service, ornate trestle tables and an ecclesiastical domed ceiling. 

The a-la-carte menu is carnivorous and local; expect dishes like fillet steak from County Fermanagh and ‘Sugar Pit’ pork chops by Derry butcher Keith Grant. The spotlight on Irish produce continues in the selection of desserts, which includes the Armagh Apple Entremet and a trolley of artisan cheeses by Ballylisk Triple Rose. 

If you want something more casual, head to The Cultra Inn for a gastronomical take on the traditional Irish pub. Located on the foot of Culloden’s 12-acre plot, this rustic tavern serves Guinness on tap alongside hearty plates of fish and chips, sirloin steak and chicken wings. 

There’s also a set Sunday lunch menu offering roast stuffed chicken, roast sea trout and slow-braised beef, as well as vegan options like Thai red coconut curry and a plant-based burger with skinny fries. 

For lighter bites with lake views, book a window table at the hotel’s Lough Bar. This sophisticated lounge serves Gaelic-style afternoon tea with fresh scones, Irish butter and Co. Down preserves, as well as critically acclaimed smoked salmon by Belfast fishmonger Walter Ewing. 

The drinks menu pays further homage to Northern Ireland, with its Jawbox gin and Maggie Leaps IPA offering local alternatives to the big brand liquors and beers. There’s also an impressive range of alcohol-free drinks, including Seedlip gin, Guinness 0.0 and tea-infused mocktails. 

What is the spa at Culloden Estate and Spa like? 

Today a standalone wellness destination, Culloden’s Spa and Health Club was a key player in elevating the property to five-star status in 1996. 

The main atrium echoes a Roman bathhouse, with murals of Italianate gardens and comfy loungers bordering a heated octagonal pool. There’s also a linear vitality pool and a Tylarium (soft sauna) overlooking the lough, as well a eucalyptus steam room and a needle shower to punctuate your thermal circuit. 

Gym goers will find a modern fitness suite, offering a wide range of Technogym machines and two dedicated studios for classes on everything from Zumba to Pilates. 

For refreshments, Zest Juice Bar serves healthy fare like fruit smoothies, protein bowls and rainbow salads, as well as a ‘Spa-Tisserie’, which enables guests to enjoy the hotel’s famed afternoon tea from the comfort of their robes. 

No trip to Culloden’s Spa and Health Club would be complete, however, without trying one of its signature treatments. The Celtic Dream delivers a full-body experience marked by exfoliation, a marine mud or algae wrap, hot stones and a scalp massage, while the Active Nutrients Glow Facial uses a sonic silicone brush to stimulate blood flow and brighten tired skin. 

Once the treatment is over, guests are escorted to the cocoon-like relaxation room, where they can relax on springy daybeds while drinking herbal tea. 

After 48 hours of delicious food, opiated relaxation and VIP service, check-out from Culloden hits hard. 

Fortunately, the blow is softened by the cushy farewell – another luxury transfer, complete with Jameson Whiskey, spearmint mints and of course, a bit of ‘craic’ from the local chauffeur. 

As the car crawls down the driveway, I glance back at the castle wistfully, wondering if this is how The Traitors stars feel after being murdered or banished. 

Then I remember: I haven’t been exiled nor killed, and this isn’t a merciless gameshow. Culloden Estate and Spa may look like Ardross Castle, but that is where the similarities end. 

Unlike its Scottish counterpart, it is a place of evergreen tranquility, hearty cuisine (with paranoia-free breakfasts) and world-renowned Ulster warmth. 

And for that reason and that reason alone, I will forever be its Faithful. 

Nightly rates at Culloden Estate and Spa begin at £750 for an Estate Suite and £850 for a Tower Suite, with the Palace Suite available at £3,000, all of which include a full breakfast.