On your next visit to Ireland, take some time away from the pub while you nourish your soul and offer respect to Mother Earth. If you are looking for an Eco Luxury Retreat, then you must visit the Ard Nahoo Hotel, located 30 minutes west of Sligo airport in the hills of Western Ireland. Settled in the unspoiled beauty of the North Leitrim Glens, this sumptuous resort operated by the Murphy family is truly a slice of Eco heaven. Guests indulge themselves in private Eco cabins, organic local food and the ultimate in spa services. It is, indeed, a vacation spot you will never want to leave!

The hotel offers a range of packages from Family Eco Retreats to Yoga Retreats. There is even a Healthy Hen Party retreat for the bride to be. Ard Nahoo aims to promote natural health and living in a modern world. The courses and retreats offered give you ‘time-out’ to learn new skills and better your health and well being. We even noticed that there was a Surf Yoga retreat conducted during our stay. And group rates are offered for parties of twelve or more.

The hotel’s policy is to make accommodations as green as possible while not being associated with “green washing”, a term that has become popular to describe the many hotels offering pseudo green accommodations for marketing purposes. This hotel operates its own underground recycling facility and their compost is used in the hotel’s vegetable patch.

Each Cedar Eco Cabin was built by renowned architect Peter Cowan. The cabins are hemp insulated, heated with pellet stoves, finished with natural paints, powered by wind turbines, and built with minimal concrete. In addition, no petro chemicals are used. An entire community of these cabins would be welcomed into any environmentally friendly neighborhood. Notices in each room remind guests to assist in the Eco effort by not leaving water taps running, turning off the lights, closing doors, etc. While I usually dislike long instruction lists found in my holiday home, these are for a very good cause – to help save the planet and ensure Ard Nahoo keeps its EU Flower rating, a symbol of superior environmental quality.

The local chef, Maria, offers delicious organic meals to include vegetarian dishes with Irish, European and Asian influences to suit all tastes. All foods are fair-trade and locally produced. Even the carnivores staying at the resort were commenting on the fantastic spinach and ricotta lasagna, and the vegetable couscous.

Ard Nahoo is a great base from which you can explore the beautiful surrounding area, and the beaches are just twenty minutes away. There is an abundance of outdoor activities nearby, such as: hiking, surfing, horseback riding, kayaking, caving and much more.

The Aussie-run Strandhill Surf School is a popular spot for those who love the water. They will provide you a much needed wetsuit (Burr!) and surffing lessons. If you are looking for something less adventuresome, then the nearby Voya Seaweed Spa and Baths offers another way to relax and unwind.

Couples and families who are concerned about their carbon footprint will certainly enjoy their holiday at Ard Nahoo with a clean conscience. Everything about the resort exudes eco friendliness, a care for nature, and a commitment to saving our beautiful planet.