Adele Miner explores the Aqua Sana Forest Spa at Center Parcs in County Longford.
What’s the closest you can feel to being back inside the womb? For me, I’d say it’s a gentle rocking on a warm water bed at Aqua Sana Forest Spa in Longford, part of Center Parcs. It’s exactly in that moment I found myself during a spa day I enjoyed earlier this summer.
A handy 90-minute drive from Dublin, the spa ranks among the larger ones I’ve visited in Ireland, offering 21 experiences to work your way through over a day. The spa is divided into four distinct zones and features attractions such as the Lava Sauna, tropical rainfall showers, mineral caves, an outdoor infinity pool, and the Nordic sauna and steam room.
To start my day of rest and recuperation, I treated myself to a 50-minute VOYA Escape Ritual—a soothing back massage paired with exfoliation and a glow facial that loosened my muscles and set a perfect mood for the hours ahead. Afterward, I linked up with my cousin, both swathed in robes, and headed off to work our way through all 21 experiences.
One of the spa’s nicest touches is the rule to stash your phone in your locker before you step inside. Throughout the space, notices encourage you to disconnect from the digital realm, so I tucked a Kindle into my pocket and treated the day as a chance to finish the book I’d been reading. While there are saunas, steam rooms, and an array of shower experiences, there are also ample relaxation zones where you can linger for as long as you wish.
With phones left behind, many guests chose to chat softly, read, or drift off. In fact, the water-bed chamber I mentioned earlier resembled an adult nursery, where most occupants surrendered to nap time, accompanied by soft, rhythmic snores echoing around the space. Far from being irritating, the hush and the ambiance kept everyone in a state of serene calm.
Deciding on a favourite zone felt like picking a preferred child—nearly impossible. Each area promises its own worth of attention, and with a full-day package, you can truly immerse in every section. On the family note, there are no little ones present: I’m childfree myself, yet I saw several moms and guests staying at the resort with relatives enjoying a few child-free hours. The spa’s minimum age is 14, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Additionally, various workshops and experiences are on offer. During my visit, there was a skincare class and a sound bath. My only quibble was that the schedule for the sound bath wasn’t listed on the board showing each session’s time, so we ended up missing it. Maybe it was a one-off oversight, but missing the session was disappointing nonetheless.
Lunch came included with my package, and at the Vitalé Café Bar we enjoyed a chicken Caesar salad with potatoes, washed down by a chilled Coke. A perfect refuel after all the exertion in the saunas.
Would I recommend a visit?
Absolutely. If you’re after a little child-free bliss as a Center Parcs guest, it’s an easy yes, but I’d also suggest taking a day trip from anywhere in Ireland to experience these facilities and experiences at least once. Packages begin at €69; for more details, visit aquasana.ie.
