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Northern Ireland resort secures Best Innovative Treatments title, adding to its growing list of international accolades

The team at Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel and spa resort Galgorm is celebrating another major international accolade at this year’s Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognised for its pioneering approach to wellness.

Galgorm took home the award for Best Innovative Treatments, celebrating the resort’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of luxury wellness, combining innovative treatment experiences with therapeutic expertise to deliver exceptional and highly personalised spa journeys for guests.

The winners of the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2027 were announced at a glamorous ceremony at the five-star Montcalm Mayfair hotel in London. Recognising excellence across the global luxury hospitality industry, the awards celebrate outstanding hotels and spas across five international regions, with categories spanning exceptional service, design, culinary experiences and wellness.

Among the innovative experiences available to guests at Galgorm is the Symphony of Touch treatment. The first of its kind in Europe, the treatment transforms the traditional massage experience through a combination of advanced technology and the artistry of therapeutic touch. Built-in sensors within the treatment bed analyse the therapist's movements and gestures, translating them into a live, dynamic soundscape that evolves throughout the treatment.

As the therapist works, melodies and rhythms are generated in real-time, creating a bespoke musical interpretation unique to each guest and each treatment. The seamless fusion of touch, sound and relaxation delivers a deeply personalised wellness journey, designed to help guests disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and achieve a heightened sense of calm and wellbeing.

Alongside its pioneering treatments, Galgorm strengthens its spa offering through a partnership with ELEMIS, the renowned global skincare house, bringing the internationally acclaimed brand's award-winning products and treatments to its spa guests. Guests can enjoy an extensive range of high-performance products and treatments exclusive to Galgorm’s spa.

Tara Moore, Associate Director of Spa Operations at Galgorm, commented: "We are incredibly proud to see Galgorm recognised at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, particularly in a category that celebrates innovation and the evolution of the spa experience.

"At Galgorm, we are passionate about continually exploring new ways to enhance health and wellbeing, combining the expertise of our talented therapists with innovative treatments and technology. Symphony of Touch is a wonderful example of this approach, creating a truly unique sensory experience that brings together human energy, therapeutic touch and sound in a way that is entirely individual to each guest.

"Our partnership with ELEMIS further strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional spa experiences, allowing us to bring world-class skincare and treatments to guests across the Collection. This award is a fantastic achievement for our team and recognition of the passion and dedication that goes into creating memorable wellness experiences for every guest."

The latest accolade adds to Galgorm's growing list of international industry awards, following its multi-award win at the 2026 World Luxury Awards earlier this year. The resort was named 2026 Winner for Luxury Resort, Luxury Spa Resort and Luxury Thermal Spa in Northern Europe, further cementing its reputation as one of Ireland's leading luxury spa destinations.

Through continued investment in its facilities, treatments and partnerships, Galgorm continues to evolve its wellness offering, creating distinctive experiences that attract guests from across the island of Ireland and further afield.

Winners of the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are chosen through a combination of online reader and guest voting, verified guest reviews, and professional inspections by the Condé Nast Johansens team.

Discover the Gharieni I Dome, a luxurious wellness treatment combining gentle infrared warmth and light-based therapy for a deeply relaxing experience for both the face and body.

Designed to encourage circulation, promote relaxation and support an overall sense of wellbeing, the I Dome offers a calming way to take time for yourself while enjoying the benefits of targeted light and heat therapy.

LED Light Therapy for the Face

The facial element of the treatment offers three LED light therapy options: red, blue or green. Each light has its own benefits, allowing you to choose the option best suited to your skin.

• Red LED light can help encourage circulation and support the skin’s natural regeneration process, while promoting collagen and elastin.
• Blue LED light can help reduce bacteria on the skin, making it particularly beneficial for skin prone to breakouts.
• Green LED light can help soothe irritated skin, leaving the complexion feeling calm and refreshed.

The gentle LED therapy offers a non-invasive way to care for the skin while enjoying the warmth and relaxation of the I Dome.

Relaxation for the Body

For the body, the Gharieni I Dome provides a deeply relaxing experience. The gentle warmth can help encourage circulation, ease everyday tension and support a general feeling of wellbeing.

As the warmth surrounds you, the treatment offers a chance to slow down, unwind and take some time for yourself.

A Moment to Reset

Combining gentle infrared warmth with targeted LED light therapy, the Gharieni I Dome offers a calming, non-invasive wellness experience for both face and body.

Whether you’re looking to support your skin or simply take a moment to relax, the I Dome provides a peaceful opportunity to switch off, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and the body relaxed and rejuvenated.

Northern Ireland’s premier luxury spa destination celebrated for global recognition at World Luxury Awards and Condé Nast Johansens as new Forest Spa Garden prepares to open in December.

Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury resort, has achieved international acclaim following a series of major international hotel and spa accolades. At an awards ceremony in Barcelona, the resort was named Global Winner for Luxury Resort at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, and Global Winner for Luxury Golf Resort Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards. At the Condé Nast Johansens Awards in London, Galgorm’s celebrated Thermal Spa Village was awarded Best Spa Weekend.

At the World Luxury Spa Awards, the resort also received the titles of Luxury Thermal Spa for Europe and Luxury Spa Resort for Northern Europe. At the World Luxury Hotel Awards, Galgorm was additionally recognised as the United Kingdom’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort and Luxury Golf Resort.

These honours reinforce Galgorm’s reputation as one of the world’s leading luxury destinations and showcase Northern Ireland on the global tourism stage. Competing with top resorts worldwide, Galgorm’s recognition demonstrates the region’s growing appeal to international guests seeking high-quality leisure, spa, and golf experiences.

The World Luxury Awards are voted for by international travellers and recognise excellence across the hotel and spa sectors. This year more than 300,000 travellers voted in the World Luxury Hotel Awards and over 250,000 in the World Luxury Spa Awards. The Condé Nast Johansens Awards - from the leading reference guide for independent travellers - are widely regarded as a benchmark for independent luxury hotels and spas, with winners chosen by reader votes, guest reviews and expert reports. Galgorm’s global wins underline its ability to compete and succeed at the highest international level.

Colin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of Galgorm Collection, said:

"Winning two global awards at the World Luxury Awards, and Best Spa Weekend at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards is a moment of immense pride for everyone at Galgorm. These accolades reflect not only our commitment to excellence across every aspect of the resort, from our world-class spa to our golf and hospitality offerings, but also the extraordinary dedication and passion of our entire team. To be recognised on the international stage, competing with the very best in the world, is a testament to the hard work, talent, and vision that defines Galgorm."

Galgorm has long been celebrated for its unrivalled guest experience, extensive spa and wellness offerings, and world-class golf facilities. Its Thermal Spa Village, 550 acres of parkland, and diverse accommodation options - including luxurious rooms, cottages, forest dens, shepherd’s huts, log cabins and group residences - have cemented the resort’s status as a destination of choice for discerning guests from across the globe.

Adding to its internationally acclaimed spa offering, Galgorm will officially open the first phase of its new Forest Spa Garden on 18^th December 2025, marking the beginning of a multi-year development programme that will see subsequent phases unveiled annually through to 2029. Connected to the Thermal Spa Village via a bespoke bridge over the River Maine, this nature-immersive retreat features four luxurious waterbed cabanas, private hot tubs, a sauna and a firepit, all nestled within the resort’s tranquil woodland. The Forest Spa Garden will be open to all day spa and overnight guests, further expanding the resort’s wellness experiences ahead of its wider investment programme.

Situated just 30 minutes from Belfast and 2.5 hours from Dublin, Galgorm has also achieved prestigious AA 5-star status, while its Gillies restaurant has earned an AA Rosette for culinary excellence, further cementing the resort’s reputation for quality and distinction in every area of hospitality.

Colin continued;

“Our ongoing investment is driven by a desire to continually evolve what a luxury spa resort experience can be. From expanding our spa offering with the new Forest Spa Garden to enhancing our accommodation and facilities, we are shaping Galgorm for the future. These developments are not only about elevating guest wellbeing but also about contributing meaningfully to the local economy and ensuring Northern Ireland stands confidently among the world’s leading luxury destinations. We are committed to creating meaningful, memorable experiences that guests from across the globe return to again and again.”

These latest achievements arrive at a pivotal moment for Galgorm, as the resort continues to expand its facilities and enhance the guest experience through a long-term investment strategy.

Since 2008, Galgorm has invested over £80 million in its resort and spa facilities, with a further £30 million set to enhance the property by 2027. These strategic investments ensure the resort maintains its position as a world-class international tourism destination, while its commitment to sustainability and employee experience has earned the Galgorm Collection official ‘Great Place to Work’ certification and dual Gold awards from Green Tourism.

At Galgorm, guests can experience the future of skincare with the ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial - an advanced, results-driven treatment designed to deliver immediate, visible results. Combining cutting-edge technology with powerful active ingredients, this intelligent facial works to visibly lift, brighten, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, while still offering a deeply relaxing experience.

Unlike traditional facials, the ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial is fully tailored to the skin’s individual needs, targeting concerns such as visible signs of ageing, dehydration, congestion and dullness through a combination of advanced skincare technologies.

Deep Cleanse & Glow

The treatment begins with Ultrasonic Technology, which uses gentle ultrasonic waves to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin. This helps clear pores, remove dull dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion with an instant glow. Gentle yet effective, it is suitable even for sensitive skin.

Lift, Tone & Firm

Microcurrent Technology works to visibly lift, tone and sculpt the facial contours using gentle microcurrents. Often described as a non-invasive facelift, this technology helps support collagen and elastin production, leaving skin looking firmer, smoother and more youthful over time.

Deep Nourishment & Balance

Using Galvanic Technology, professional grade serums are encouraged to penetrate deeper into the skin where active ingredients can work more effectively. This also helps draw out impurities, leaving the complexion feeling balanced, refreshed and deeply nourished.

Repair & Restore

LED Light Therapy targets multiple skin concerns at once to help strengthen and restore the skin.

Red light helps stimulate collagen to improve firmness and soften the appearance of fine lines, while blue light helps reduce breakouts and congestion. Near-infrared light works deeper within the skin to support repair and reduce inflammation, helping reveal a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.

Cool, Calm & Refresh

Cryotherapy delivers an instant cooling effect to help calm redness, reduce puffiness and tighten pores. The skin feels refreshed, smoother and revitalised, while the complexion appears brighter and more refined.

The Ultimate Glow Finish

To complete the treatment, Oxygen Therapy helps energise and deeply hydrate the skin while enhancing the absorption of targeted serums. The result is a complexion that looks plump, radiant and healthy, with superficial lines softened and skin visibly glowing.

No two skins are the same, which is why every ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial at Galgorm is expertly tailored to individual skin concerns, whether the focus is lifting and firming, calming and hydration, or achieving a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Combining advanced skincare technology with hands-on expertise, the ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial delivers visible, long lasting results for skin that looks refreshed, sculpted and revitalised.

Discover the next generation of skincare with the ELEMIS BIOTEC Facial at Galgorm.