Bubble domes that have been flooding Instagram and TikTok travel feeds are now open to guests at Cromore Retreat in Portstewart, Northern Ireland. The translucent, inflatable structures stand three or four metres high, often set on rolling hills or in woodland, and have become a viral travel trend over the past year.
The domes sit on the grounds of Cromore House, built by the town's founder John Cromie in 1776. The grand property appears empty today, having recently ceased operating as a care home. For the duration of the stay, no other person was seen, which left the guest feeling cut off from the world in exactly the right way.
Private Setting and On-Site Amenities
The accommodation is enclosed by a private, wood-fenced area with trees lining the perimeter and a dome in the centre. The walls are completely see-through, but the location is so snugly tucked away that privacy is not a concern. A 40-minute walk through the woods leads to the Portstewart Arms, where pints of Guinness cost £5. Alternatively, guests can stay on-site and use the communal sauna.
Inside the Domes
On a brisk October day, the dome was warmed to a snug 22°C by a ground-source heat pump. The McDonnell Suite, named after a former estate owner, consists of three domes joined together. One contains the shower and toilet, hidden from the rest of the dome by a partition wall and from the outside by opaque sections. It includes a smart tablet and a high-tech touchscreen mirror.
The central bubble serves as the living room, with a low coffee table between two armchairs. There is a tea and coffee area with a Nespresso machine and a fridge stocked with a breakfast hamper from Chestnutt's Farm in Portrush. The hamper includes soda bread, strawberry jam, granola, creamy butter, and a bottle of thick milk.
The bedroom wing features a wide four-poster bed with curtains on the sides but no roof, allowing guests to watch the stars through the tree canopy. At the end of the bed is a large standalone tub. Outside the dome sits the standout feature: a private hot tub.
The Verdict
There is nothing gimmicky or insubstantial about these see-through domes. They are pure, indulgent, slightly silly fun, right until check-out, when guests step into the Northern Irish drizzle. Stays cost from £235 a night, with breakfast hampers costing an additional £20. Bookings are available at cromoreretreat.com/book.
