When planning the perfect weekend escape to Northern Ireland it begins with picking the best spot. Located at the very heart of the country there is no other place quite as charming to find your perfect getaway than at Minnie Stays. At Minnie Stays, we have two unique things to choose from depending on what type of trip you are taking.
If you are looking for a fun house for your next social gathering (i.e. friends' party or milestone birthday celebration), then Lily's Pink House will be the perfect choice. If, however, you are seeking a quiet and tranquil getaway in which you can unwind and recharge in total peace, then look no further than Rosie's Cottage. Regardless of which property you choose, they all share a common theme; combining classic Northern Irish charm with modern day comfort.
You will see and enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful Mourne Mountains immediately upon arrival. From our hot tubs to our saunas, we offer a wide variety of wellness focused amenities for you to utilise during your stay. With this quick guide, we hope to help you maximise your time while making each moment relaxing and unforgettable.
You deserve a retreat that combines the high standards of boutique hotels with the quiet intimacy of a private home but many struggle to balance character with comfort. Minnie Stays occupies a unique sweet spot offering you the best of both worlds for your stay.
The surrounding landscape offers the perfect balance for your trip. It is close enough to local services for convenience yet far enough to feel like a true retreat from daily routines. Your weekend becomes about more than just a bed, it is an immersive experience in Northern Irish hospitality.
Arrive in the late afternoon when the sun will still be shining. From here you’ll be able to see the Mourne Mountains rising above you as you drive to Minnie Stays. As you get closer to the property, the road gets much more scenic. There are huge mountains looming on either side of you and the landscape opens up further into the distance.
When you arrive, step outside and breathe in some of that clean mountain air and take in the views. They’re breathtakingly beautiful and really do set the scene for your weekend getaway. Now it's time to find your bedrooms and look around the house at a leisurely pace. Familiarise yourself with the kitchen, living areas and pour yourselves a welcome drink and enjoy a relaxing supper by the fire. Even doing ordinary things like washing-up and preparing meals is fun because of those stunning views from the windows. A laid-back dinner together will help you settle in and get used to the slower pace of this part of the country.
Start the holiday of getting into the rhythm of being in the mountains with a calm, laid-back first visit to our wellness facilities. Spend a few minutes in the sauna to gently increase your body temperature and reduce any stress from your busy lives during the previous week. Get back out into the cooler air and relax in the warm hot tub as the sun dips below the horizon and begins to fade. The sky is filled with stars now and there’s a serene atmosphere created by having a private spa, under the stars, in front of your cabin. Have plenty of water available so you can have a glassful to sip on as you move between the hot tub and sauna. Finish the evening sitting in a cosy robe by the fireplace, feeling refreshed and ready for a perfect sleep and round off a perfect start at Minnie Stays.
Don’t let an alarm clock disturb you on Saturday, let natural daylight wake you instead. Wear something comfortable (a bathrobe or slippers) and wander into the fully equipped kitchen and make yourself a fresh cup of coffee or tea, or perhaps a cold glass or orange juice or water is your preference. There is no rush, don't worry about breakfast deadlines, enabling you to carry your cup to your favourite spot with a sublime morning view. Watch as the early sunlight moves across the hills and valleys so you can unwind. Decide whether to make yourself something simple for breakfast or order some pastries from a local bakery. Cooking in a new space is enjoyable enough that even simple meals become special experiences.
Now that everyone has arrived in the dining room, conversation comes easily. Without anyone pushing for anything else, you'll spend time discussing plans for your adventure today, whether that's going for a long hike, taking a leisurely walk through Tollymore Forest Park, driving to a destination of your choice or exploring one of many other options in this amazing region a bit closer to home.
With energy high and the light at its best, late morning is perfect for heading out into the Mournes. Choose a route that suits your group, from gentle strolls to more challenging climbs and always check the weather before you go, as mountain conditions can shift quickly.
Tollymore Forest Park offers miles of woodland trails, rivers and historic features, making it ideal for a full‑morning walk surrounded by nature. If you prefer a mix of forest and fantasy, Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor gives you scenic trails, the Cloughmore Stone and links to The Narnia Experience, a family‑friendly, interactive forest tour inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia.
Alternatively, follow paths through ancient bridges and fast‑flowing rivers while keeping an eye out on the iconic Mourne Wall and elevated viewpoints that stretch towards the coast. Tailor the length of your walk so everyone can enjoy the fresh, crisp air and return with a healthy appetite and a genuine sense of achievement.
Coming back to Minnie Stays after a morning outdoors feels like returning to your own private sanctuary. Refuel in the kitchen with hearty soup, fresh sandwiches or an alternate easy lunch, and if the weather is kind, take everything outside for relaxed al fresco dining in the garden.
Once you have rested, ease into a longer wellness session, now that you know how everything works. Alternate between the sauna, hot tub and invigorating cold plunge to enjoy the benefits of contrast therapy, easing tired muscles and supporting your joints after your hike.
With no schedule to keep, you can drift between heat, cold and quiet contemplation, losing track of time as the spa becomes the heart of your retreat. This is where you are fully present, with nothing to think about but how you feel in the moment.
Depending upon the style of your accommodation, whether that be Lily’s Pink House or Rosie’s Cottage, your Saturday evening may well include celebrations or simply relaxation. Whatever you desire, self-catering provides you with complete flexibility to create whatever perfect evening is desired without the constraints of a hotel bar closing time or restaurant booking time.
At Lily’s Pink House, your lively bar area will become a social central point where you can make cocktails, play music and host your very own party. You can cook up a shared meal together, call for delivery of food from local eateries or dine out in social spaces big enough to hold games nights or dance parties without fear of disturbing others who are staying in neighboring rooms. In contrast, at Rosie’s Cottage, your Saturday night is likely to be quieter and more relaxing, perhaps enjoying another homemade meal, taking a short sunset walk through the gardens of your cottage, followed by board games or reading by candlelight. The peace and quiet of rural surroundings ensure you have total opportunity to unwind completely without distractions such as hotel corridors etc.
Your final morning arrives with a softer awareness that your time in the Mournes is drawing to a close. Keep the pace slow, make your favourite drink, return to your favourite nook and enjoy a simple breakfast while you soak up the views one more time.
Take a moment outside to say a quiet goodbye to the mountains and notice how different you feel compared to arrival. Unlike a hotel stay, you can inhabit the property right up to departure, letting these final hours act as a gentle bridge back to everyday life.
Before check‑out, decide whether you want one last wellness session or a final outing. You may choose to revisit the sauna and hot tub to finish your retreat exactly as you began it, sealing in that sense of calm before the journey home.
If you prefer to be out and about, consider a short drive to Silent Valley Mountain Park, where walking trails and scenic reservoir views offer a peaceful farewell to the Mournes. Alternatively, fans of film and TV might head for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour for an immersive, behind‑the‑scenes experience featuring original sets, props and costumes.
Shorter garden or woodland walks nearby also provide a beautiful, low‑effort way to say goodbye without over‑stretching your schedule before check‑out. Choose what best matches your energy so that your final memories feel intentional rather than rushed.
Just because you've finished your weekend at Minnie Stays doesn't mean that your weekend must come to an end immediately. Use your drive home as an opportunity to experience some of Northern Ireland's charm. Stop somewhere enroute for a casual promenade walk along Newcastle's seaside promenade and enjoy a final coffee with views of the sea, or book onto a tee-time at Royal County Down Golf Club, one of the finest links courses anywhere, for world-class views over the sea. Or, if history is your interest, stop enroute at Dundrum Castle and enjoy its coastal scenery, stretching your Mournes experience just that bit longer.
The breaks provided by stopping somewhere on-route will make the remainder of your journey home more relaxing and allow you sufficient time to reflect on how you experienced a more deliberate, slower-paced approach to life during this entire weekend.
With so many amazing choices when it comes to choosing a retreat in nature, you'll be returning home refreshed. A weekend at Minnie Stays has proven to provide true restoration instead of a temporary reprieve. Combining the special elements of a mountain view, wellness facilities and a character home will give you an opportunity to nurture your soul. If you want to celebrate Lily's Pink House experience or enjoy the quiet rejuvenation of Rosie's Cottage experience, it will be something a regular hotel experience could never possibly replace. You're purchasing a place made for comfort.
That renewed feeling follows you into your daily life. That experience in Northern Ireland is deep within the land and will remind you there is a larger world outside of the daily grind.
Minnie Stays offers a response to the increasing demand for real short breaks from our routines. Booking represents an investment in your own personal welfare as well as providing an escape that feels like a real break.
Your perfect restorative escape awaits. These homes were created with thoughtfulness to allow you to release all tension. Look at scheduling your trip today to see how even a couple of days in nature can help you!
Where Gatherings
Become Memories.