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Shoppers transported to a forest hot tub - in Victoria Square

Models Aimee Boyle, winner of Sunday Life Cover Girl competition 2015, and Rebecca Maguire, Miss Ireland 2012, toast the new outdoor spa in Belfast city centre
Models Aimee Boyle, winner of Sunday Life Cover Girl competition 2015, and Rebecca Maguire, Miss Ireland 2012, toast the new outdoor spa in Belfast city centre Models Aimee Boyle, winner of Sunday Life Cover Girl competition 2015, and Rebecca Maguire, Miss Ireland 2012, toast the new outdoor spa in Belfast city centre

CLOSE your eyes and you could almost be there - breathing in the fresh, crisp air while marvelling at the beauty of the great outdoors, the woodland, the birds overhead, the peaceful lapping of the River Maine...

For shoppers at Victoria Square in Belfast last week it was almost as good as the real thing as the Galgorm Resort and Spa team transported a hot tub right into the city centre - placing a photograph of a forest behind the temporary facility for optimum effect.

Although the models tasked with stripping down to their swimwear and jumping in may have preferred a little more privacy, guests pitching up for a weekend of pampering at the Co Antrim resort's new 10 million extension and 'Spa Village' will be assured of an infinitely more tranquil experience.

The only thing missing in the visualised city 'spa day' was a bubble or two - due to electricity and health and safety issues - but the image of a hot tub outdoors was real enough as the team launched its 'Be the First' campaign to entice people to book ahead of the autumn opening.

Guests staying in the new 48 deluxe rooms and suites due to open in September will be able to dip into their own hot tub on their private terrace while also having access to the resort's thermal spa facilities which include snail showers and sanarium.

The extension includes the addition of a new, full sized indoor leisure pool, with outdoor facilities centred around a 'Celtic Sauna Ritual', 'Riverside Body and Mind Studio' and sunken fire-pit and hot tub.

"The creation of the unique indoor and outdoor Spa Village will be the first of its kind in Ireland and is certain to give visitors an experience like no other," sales co-ordinator, Victoria Brown, told the Irish News.

"And all guests staying at the resort will have the opportunity to access 75,000 square feet of luxurious thermal spa facilities which are included in the bed and breakfast rate."

Guests booking before the end of June for a break in September through to December this year will receive a free bottle of champagne to celebrate the completion of the development at the complex.