This West Cork hotel is doing Valentine’s Day properly

If you've been scrolling through your camera roll lately and realising most of your recent photos are of your laptop screen at 11pm or the inside of a packed Luas, it might be time for a proper reset. And what better excuse than Valentine's Day to book yourself (and maybe a plus-one, if they're lucky) into somewhere that actually looks like the screensaver you stare at all day?

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork is serving up serious coastal romance vibes this Valentine's weekend with their Island Break package. Think ocean views, seawater spa pools, locally grown flowers and the kind of dinner that doesn't involve reheated leftovers eaten standing up by the fridge.

And here's the lovely bit: they've teamed up with Bumble Bee Farm in Drimoleague to gift every couple staying over Valentine's weekend a posy of locally grown flowers. We're talking hyacinths and narcissus that have travelled just a few kilometres, not flown halfway across the world in plastic wrap. It's a small touch but honestly? It's the kind of thoughtful detail that makes you feel like someone actually cares about the experience, not just the booking confirmation email.

The package itself is the full works. Two nights in a room with a sea view balcony where you can actually hear the waves (not just traffic and someone's car alarm), full West Cork breakfast each morning, a romantic dinner in the award-winning Gulfstream Restaurant that celebrates local produce, plus a pre-dinner Blush Bouquet cocktail because why not start as you mean to go on.

You'll also get a slate of homemade chocolates waiting in your room on arrival. Not the sad hotel mint on the pillow situation but actual proper chocolates that you'll probably devour before unpacking.

Wellness Without the Wellness-Speak

If your idea of self-care has recently become "managing to drink water before 3pm," the Island Spa might be exactly what you need. There's a heated seawater therapy pool, relaxation areas and seawater treatments that don't require you to pretend you understand what adaptogens are.

The package includes a yoga class for two as well, which is either deeply romantic or mildly awkward depending on how bendy you both are. Either way it beats doomscrolling in bed, which let's be honest is what most of our mornings look like lately.

A Proper Coastal Escape

There's something about being right on the beach that just hits different. Inchydoney's beachfront setting means you can actually walk out onto the sand without getting into a car or navigating a carpark the size of a small country. It's the kind of place where switching off doesn't feel like a luxury, it just… happens.

Whether you're coupled up, situationship-ing, or just fancy treating yourself to a weekend that doesn't involve group chat drama and Sunday scaries, this one's worth considering. Sometimes you need more than a face mask and a Netflix binge to feel human again.

The Valentine's Island Break starts from €355 per person sharing. For more information or to book, visit www.inchydoneyisland.com.