The deep blue waters of Hodson Bay stretch out before this modern spa hotel just outside Athlone. Views of the bay are stunning, which somewhat makes up for what the guest rooms lack in character, with their rather bland, corporate look. (Needless to say, you should ask for a room on the bay side.) Rooms in the “Retreat” wing are better designed, but also more expensive. The spa is excellent, with a huge list of treatments—starting with a simple half-hour facial for €55, rising to, on the more indulgent end of the scale, a 105-minute “Double Decadence,” starting with champagne, chocolate, and strawberries in a private outdoor hot tub, followed by a massage for two in the couple’s treatment suite, for €135 per person. The hotel has two good restaurants and a pub, and the center of Athlone is only about a 10-minute drive away. Check the website for package deals and special offers.