Review: Finn Lough Bubble Domes Resort

Imagine being immersed in the great outdoors yet ensconced from the elements. Being gently hushed to sleep by the sounds of nature whilst being snuggly tucked up in a four-poster bed. Now, imagine taking a long hot bath under a canopy of twinkling stars. Well, that’s exactly what you can do when you stay in one of the Finn Lough bubble domes. When I first saw photos of the Finn Lough bubble domes I thought they must be in Finland or Iceland.

They looked so space-aged and glamorous. I just assumed I’d have to go on an expedition to a far-off land to experience them. So, I was delighted to discover that the Finn Lough bubble domes are just up in Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. That’s less than a three-hour drive from where I live. I was even more delighted to find out I would be staying there for one night on a business trip.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

The bubble domes are tucked away in Muckross Wood in the unspoilt Fermanagh Lakelands. I could see Lower Lough Erne from my bubble dome. In fact, I could see a lot of things from my forest bubble dome as they have 180-degree transparent walls. However, whilst I could see out into the woodland I could not see any of the other bubble domes nor could they see into my bubble dome. Everything felt safe, secure and secluded.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

The word glamping has been used a lot to describe staying in the Finn Lough bubble domes. I think it’s far sexier and sophisticated than that.

It is a very luxurious way to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of nature.

Each bubble dome features a four-poster bed with a heated mattress with the most sumptuous bedding I have ever snuggled into. The bubble domes also have underfloor heating and comfortable armchairs made from Aroca wood. There’s a Nespresso machine and radio and a torch for late-night walks in the wood.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

The bathroom is in a little annexe bubble. The shower is hot and powerful and there are delicious smelling toiletries to lather up with. When done, there are fluffy robes and slippers in which to wrap up and lounge about.

I was staying in the Premium Bubble Dome which has a free-standing stone bath. The bath was so deep I felt I needed armbands to stay afloat. There was plenty of hot water too for numerous bathing sessions.

When I first walked into the bubble dome I was so excited I took hundreds of photos of everything.

It was unlike anything I had been in before. It was like being in a snowdome. Then once I calmed down I made a coffee and relaxed back in the rocking chair. I just listened to the trees rustling in the wind and the lapping of the lake.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

There is no wi-fi in the Finn Lough bubble domes so I had no distractions. In fact, there was no phone coverage at all and you know what, I was ok with that. For the first time in a long time, I just switched off and enjoyed my surroundings.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

I went for a walk in the woods and then headed to the lakeside marquee. Here, I took a seat by the roaring fire and wrapped up in a blanket. I nursed a drink whilst watching the sunset. It was idyllic. I was really taken with the whole romance of it all.

If you are a food lover like I am then your taste buds and tummy are in for a treat at the Finn Lough Resort.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

The menu is seasonal, fresh, foraged and local and the chef really knows how to put a menu together and to bring out the best in all the ingredients. I can’t remember the last time I had food that really celebrated Irish cuisine the way the dishes did at Finn Lough. It was creative yet uncomplicated and elegant yet comforting at the same time. It was everything I wanted from a meal and a vegetarian meal at that. Those that had the meat dishes were as impressed and delighted with their food as I was with mine.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern IrelandFinn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern IrelandFinn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

After dinner, we headed to the snug.

The bar has great local craft beers and ciders and some very good Boatyard Distillery gin made with local botanicals. We could have stayed there for hours just chatting with the super friendly staff and guests but I was desperate to get back to the bubble dome and enjoy the whole experience. We caught a ride on a golf cart back up to the forest. It would have been fun finding our way back in the dark but it was raining heavily so we gratefully took the lift.

Back in the bubble dome we immediately began to thaw out and dry off thanks to the warmth of the bubble (don’t laugh, but I did wonder how the bubble didn’t melt). We then sunk into the huge four-poster bed and cocooned ourselves in the duvet. The bed is so comfortable and the place is so quiet that my partner drifted off to sleep within minutes. I, however, was too excited to sleep. The novelty of the bubble dome was nowhere near wearing off.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

I lay in the bed and star gazed all night.

The top of the bubble dome is transparent and there is no light pollution so this is the perfect way to see the Milky Way. I was hoping to see a shooting star, too, so I tried my best not to blink. I didn’t want to miss one second of the night sky. After about an hour the clouds cleared off and I had a canopy of the biggest and brightest stars I had ever seen. The sky shimmered with the number of stars. I felt I could just reach out and touch them but I think it was just the plastic of the bubble dome magnifying the stars. I lay awake all night looking at them twinkle and listening to the rain bounce off the bubble. The whole experience was necromantic.

Around 8 am the sun began to rise and the forest was bathed in a peachy light.

I decided I wanted to be bathed in the same light. I got up and ran a bath and relaxed in the tub in the middle of the forest. It was a very entrancing and exhilarating experience. I wasn’t worried in the slightest that anyone would see me but it really did feel like I was having a bath in the outdoors. I stayed in the bath until the sun came up, just staring out at the lake and the trees not wanting the experience to end.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

But then my tummy began rumbling and I was so excited to see what was for breakfast. When I got to the breakfast room I was not disappointed. I wanted to try everything on the menu but I went with the baked avocados because, you know, Instagram loves an avocado or two.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern IrelandFinn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern IrelandFinn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

I’ve stayed in some magnificent hotels around the world but staying in the Finn Lough bubble domes is one of the best resort experiences I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying and I would wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone.

Information about Finn Lough Resort.

Finn Lough is a 100-acre resort with a whole host of activities and outdoor pursuits. There are loads of walking and biking trails and you can hire peddle kayaks, canoes and boats to explore the lakes, you can go fishing and there are tennis courts and an airsoft arena and a children’s play area.

Finn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern IrelandFinn Lough Bubble Domes in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland

There is a spa too where you can be pampered and indulge in a two-hour elements trail that combines many different treatments and saunas and pools. You can of course just chill out in the outdoor hot tube and take in the wonderful lake views.

If the Finn Lough bubble domes aren’t suitable for you, there are other accommodations. You can stay in waterside cottages, catered suites and lakeside lodges.

But don’t just take my word for it, check out these other reviews of the Finn Lough Bubble Domes

The Life of Stuff

Hello Magazine

Here’s my Snapchat story from my stay at the Finn Lough Bubble Domes (my InstaStory is also on my YouTube channel).

Here’s a video of the Finn Lough Bubble Domes from the Finn Lough Resort YouTube channel.

“Thanks for reading”

You may also like my review of The Pullman Restaurant on the Orient Express in Galway.

Or my review of Longueville House Restaurant.

Or my review of Longueville House, Mallow, Co. Cork.

If you like this review of the Finn Lough Bubble Domes, please share it with others.

Related posts…

41 thoughts on “Review: Finn Lough Bubble Domes Resort”

  1. This is so awesome! It reminds me of those small glass balls people shake to mix up the snow in it… I think they are called snow globes.
    Any way, I think the best part of this experience, for me, would have been the stars!

    Reply
  2. Woah, I’ve seen pics of these from listicles and whatnot, but never such an in depth description of the bubble domes. They look and sound really incredible. Though what about privacy? I mean, I guess they’re far enough separated that it’s not an issue? I love the idea though of sitting in a tub and stargazing all night while not having to worry about mosquitos and animals though!

    Reply
    • They are far enough from the other bubbles so nobody can see in and the bottom half are covered up. The side that is fully transparent looks out on to a lake that nobody can really get to, so privacy isn’t an issue at all.

      Reply
  3. What an interesting way to travel! I’ve never heard of these domes, but they look amazing! The relaxing and amazing part of being immersed in nature with the comforts of a classy hotel room. Will definitely try to stay here when we finally get to Ireland!!

    Reply
  4. That resort looks like it was so amazing. I love all of the food there which looks amazing. But the bubble domes out there and seeing the beauty of nature all before you . . . that’s just too awesome.

    Reply
  5. I’ve heard about these bubble hotels before!! They look incredible, I love to go outside of cities to take astrophotography so I would love to be in one of these bubbles in the middle of the countryside on a clear night to see the milky way. What a unique hotel experience and the food does look delicious!

    Reply
  6. I never knew of such living in Dome in Ireland. This is really cool way to spent holidays. Under the nature with all amenities wow so great. Ideal for new wed couples.

    Reply
  7. This is an absolute fairytale! Would love to see if I could make this work financially, it seems like the ULTIMATE getaway! Unplugging here and there is super important – I agree with you.

    Reply
  8. HOLY SCHMOLY! I am hoooking my husband up with this trip right now! I need to be there like right NOW!
    I am actually glad that there was a vegetarian menu option! Its incredible! I’d be up like you too watching the sun rise and the stars! so beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Never heard of these before, but I can picture myself living in three. One for sleep, another for kitchen, another for shower!

    Reply
  10. Melanie, I finally managed to get here last weekend and oh my god it was just amazing! Just how you described it and more. The staff are so incredibly nice and the food is delicious. Not a cloud in the sky and such an unforgettable experience. I’ll defiantly be back!
    10/10 x

    Reply

Leave a comment