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The River Bann Retreat

5.0 star property

Photo gallery for The River Bann Retreat

Sauna
Property video
Individually decorated, individually furnished, desk, laptop workspace
Exterior
Miscellaneous

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa pool
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
The current price is AU$461
includes taxes & fees
12 Mar - 13 Mar

Explore the area

View map
Fisherman’s Walk, Ballymacombs Rd, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, BT44 8JX
  • Place, Heaney Brewery
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Seamus Heaney HomePlace
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Ahoghill Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Londonderry (LDY-City of Derry)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 2)

Separate bathtub and shower, jetted bath, rainfall showerhead

Deluxe Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 2)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • River view
  • 41 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Luxury Cabin, 2 Bedrooms (Lodge 1)

Separate bathtub and shower, jetted bath, rainfall showerhead

Luxury Cabin, 2 Bedrooms (Lodge 1)

  • 46 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Superior Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 3)

Separate bathtub and shower, jetted bath, rainfall showerhead

Superior Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 3)

  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Romantic Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 4)

Separate bathtub and shower, jetted bath, rainfall showerhead

Romantic Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 4)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 40 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Family Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 5)

Separate bathtub and shower, jetted bath, rainfall showerhead

Family Cabin, 1 Bedroom (Lodge 5)

  • 41 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed

About the area

Ballymena

A luxury stay in Ballymena awaits you at The River Bann Retreat. You'll be 6.5 km (4 mi) from Heaney Brewery and 8.6 km (5.3 mi) from Seamus Heaney HomePlace. Highlights at this lodge include in-room plunge pools, outdoor private hot tubs and fireplaces. .Enjoy the Hot tub and sauna as well as access to rowing/canoeing and bike hire. Added amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a terrace and a garden. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Places within a 15-minute drive of this 5-property class Ballymena lodge include Ahoghill Park and Tober Park.
View more Lodges in BallymenaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Heaney Brewery - 7 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Seamus Heaney HomePlace - 10 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Ahoghill Park - 12 min drive - 13.4 km
  • Tober Park - 13 min drive - 13.6 km
  • Gracehill Village Old School Museum - 16 min drive - 15.7 km

Getting around

  • Cullybackey Station - 18 min drive
  • Belfast International Airport (BFS) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cosy Corner Bar - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Wild Duck - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Frydays - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪The Crosskeys Inn - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Fratelli - ‬14 min drive

About this property

The River Bann Retreat

The River Bann Retreat offers its guests Access to hot tub and a sauna. Public spaces have free WiFi. The luxury The River Bann Retreat also features a terrace, a garden, and a picnic area. Self parking is free.

This 5-star Ballymena lodge is smoke free.

  • 5 guestrooms or units
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
The River Bann Retreat offers 5 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature private plunge pools and outdoor private hot tubs. Rooms open to furnished patios. This individually decorated and furnished accommodation has separate dining areas and includes fireplaces and dining tables. 44-inch Smart televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include a separate bath and shower with in-room jetted baths and a rainfall showerhead. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers and designer toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include offices, desks and desk chairs.

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The price is AU$471
includes taxes & fees
18 Mar - 19 Mar
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Couples/private dining
  • Private picnics

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Bicycle storage
  • Bicycle tours
  • Fishing
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Hot tub
  • Mountain biking
  • Playground
  • Rowing/canoeing
  • Sauna

Family friendly

  • Dining table
  • Playground
  • Private plunge pool
  • Separate in-room dining area
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Proposal/romance packages

Business services

  • Coworking space

Outdoors

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-width doorways

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 44-inch smart TV with cable channels
  • Private plunge pool

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Dining table
  • Electric kettle
  • Freezer
  • Restaurant dining guides
  • Separate dining area
  • Tea bags/instant coffee
  • Toaster

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Fireplace
  • Heated floor
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Laptop workspace
  • Mobile key entry
  • Office
  • Separate sitting area
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside normal check-in hours will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Firewood fee: GBP 10 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit/debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and outdoor lighting
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts credit or debit cards. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and outdoor lighting in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions and guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

We should mention

  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

The River Bann Retreat Lodge
The River Bann Retreat Ballymena
The River Bann Retreat Lodge Ballymena

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at The River Bann Retreat?

Yep, The River Bann Retreat has a free self car park.

How much does it cost to stay at The River Bann Retreat?

As of 11 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River Bann Retreat on 12 Mar 2026 start from AU$461, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What makes The River Bann Retreat a romantic place to stay?

1 hot tub and couples dining, as well as Hot tubs and Jetted bath in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at The River Bann Retreat.

Are there hot tubs in the rooms at The River Bann Retreat?

Yep, all rooms come with private hot tubs.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The River Bann Retreat?

No, The River Bann Retreat does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The River Bann Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The River Bann Retreat?

No, pets are not allowed.

The River Bann Retreat Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 19 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Steven

Accomodation great but but it comes up short on privacy.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Reece

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The accommodation was very comfortable, clean, and quiet. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Misrepresentation of the number of rooms

From the start, we had a bad experience with River Bann Retreat. The communication was very poor- I had to chase them to respond to emails and you can’t reach them on the phone. Our main complaint is that Lodge 1 is advertised as a 2 bedroom lodge. It in fact has only 1 bedroom, with a bed and a sofa bed in the living room /kitchen area. Our guests had to go home because it wasn’t as described. The kitchen area is not well equipped. Very defensive staff when our issue was raised about the misrepresentation of the rooms. Do not recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Superb

Second time staying here, can not fault the place one bit
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were only there for 1 day but it was so relaxing for the 4 of us in our group, we feel rested and recharged, ready for the week ahead. I had emailed a request to the owners the day before we were due to arrive, the owners reply was prompt and they accomadated our request as much as possible. Thank you for a great stay.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

6/10 Okay

David

Travelled with family and small children
Modern and clean and set in a beautiful location. The lodges are well presented but small. Sleeps 6 but only one two seater sofa so the only option is to sit at the dining table or lay on the bed which is not ideal. Kitchen area is poor. Never seen accommodation like this with no oven, we bought food to cook and had to bin it.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

5 star retreat

Took the children away for an overnighter. We all enjoyed every minute of it. Beautiful space and of course the hottub was amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Carly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Rules not listed, and management hard to contact.

Nice to look at, and really modern compared to some others. However, had to wait over 11 days to get a reply from the owners regarding the booking after trying 3 different methods of contact. Phone calls and emails were never returned. Place was generally clean but the cutlery provided was filthy and there were some dead insects stuck to the roller blind at the patio doors to the rear. Also think it’s mad that the rules aren’t listed on the website or in the booking information for both the pod and hot tub - especially the 11pm cut off time. The necessity to shower is understandable for hygiene between hot tub usage, but the time constraints paired with the fact that every passer-by riverside has a clear view of you, as the only prevention is a stapled pair of curtains to one side, makes the price so unjustifiable. Again, lovely pod but could be so much better for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Getaway Experience

Great wee getaway for a couple however do not arrive an hour or 2 early thinking you can check in because you can’t. Do arrive to whatever check in time is. Not much privacy around as people are looking in. Shame the wall is front-facing opposite the hottub looking out towards the beautiful scenery as there was a lovely sunset as you would expect every night at summer term.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A little bit of heaven

We had a lovely couple of nights here. I was travelling with a toddler and wanted somewhere she could play outside safely. Plus the hot tub was a massive bonus and we both enjoyed a bit of relaxation time in there. The lodge was clean and comfy and had everything we could want. We will be staying here again next time we come over.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023