One Night at The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn
Some hotels try to create atmosphere, while others just have it naturally. The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn is definitely the latter. It dates back to 1614 and sits in a village in County Down, only ten minutes from the centre of Belfast. Now part of the Galgorm Collection, the comfort has been quietly improved, but the inn’s character is unchanged. Here, you’ll find crooked corridors, creaking floorboards, and a thatched roof that looks like it belongs there. This place doesn’t try to seem old, it simply is.
The Rooms
Check-in means settling into a low leather armchair by the fire. Someone guides you through the formalities and then personally leads you to your room. The journey is through a maze of narrow staircases and dipping hallways, making the building feel like a benign mystery.
Each junior suite is individually styled, so no two are exactly alike. I stayed in the Bay Tree junior suite. Opening the door was a proper wow moment - it had all the character you'd hope for, with considered, lived-in decor that takes real effort to get right. The standout feature is the standalone copper bath. It sits in the room like a piece of sculpture and, frankly, is reason enough to book. There is a proper marble-clad bathroom, an excellent bed, and super-soft bedlinen. The combination of genuine historic charm and real comfort is exactly right.
The Food
Dinner at the restaurant, which has an AA Rosette, feels special. The menu changes with the seasons and uses local ingredients, and the chefs respect classic dishes while adding their own twist. The menu showcases both traditional Irish dishes and international cuisine, with locally sourced ingredients that nod to Northern Ireland's rich culinary heritage. The seasonal menu marries homely classics with modern cooking, think carefully done seafood, well-sourced meat (I had the lamb, so delicious), and vegetables that are treated as though they matter. The dining room itself is lovely: bright, lively, with plenty of windows and floorboards that creak in all the right places.
The 1614 Bar, with its log fire, cosy corners, and dog-friendly vibe, is the sort of place where you plan to have one drink but end up staying much longer. Breakfast the next morning is just right, a really impressive buffet, excellent coffee, and no pressure to hurry.
The Treetop Spa
The real highlight is the spa. It sits above Crawfordsburn Country Park, surrounded by trees, and offers an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub, and The Conservatory, all with heated marble loungers, a woodfire stove, and views of the forest. If you go early, you might have the whole place to yourself. The ELEMIS treatment menu, introduced in 2025, lets you choose a 60-, 90-, or 120-minute session, designed with your therapist on the day. It’s one of the best spa experiences around. One night here goes by quickly, so stay for two if you can.
Spa, gourmet and seasonal breaks are always on offer. B&B from £185stg Theoldinn.com
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