Islay is one of the southernmost islands of the Inner Hebrides, and they make renowned single malt whiskies. The island measures only 25 by 15 miles but there are ten distilleries. One of these is Ardbeg Islay, who have been distilling its whisky with a peat smoke aroma for more than 200 years. In 2022 they bought Islay House in the middle of Port Ellen and at the beginning of September opened the doors of Ardbeg House. The property had a gorgeous, stylish top to bottom transformation, inspired from the stories and spirit of the island.
There are twelve whimsically designed and apportioned guestrooms, with names such as The Wee Beastie Room and The Illicit Room, to name a couple, each purporting to tell a story or legend of the island. On another note, breakfast is included with the price of your room, which start at around $572 per night. Which is a fair wee price for the Scottish Hebrides, yer breakfast included or nocht.
The Signature Restaurant on the ground floor is open to locals and hotel residents, serving the best of Islay and Scottish cuisine with an Ardbeggian twist! You didn’t know there was an Ardbeggian twist, did you? Well now you do, and so now, just when you thought you had Scottish culinary mysteries all figured out, you can rethink that…
There is a private dining room if you want privacy or intimacy. (And who, ultimately, doesn’t?) The Islay Bar pays homage to its namesake in a local pub in Port Ellen.
If you like, malt whisky this is the place. They serve a range of malts from Islay and elsewhere, and an exclusive Ardbeg whisky available only here or at the Ardbeg Distillery Visitors Centre. Wines, beers and cocktails are also on offer, too. Outside, the Courtyard has seating and a custom-built Ardbeg grill and smoker, weather permitting, of course.
There is no gym (fitness centre), spa or swimming pool! Think about that for a second. That means no guilt at not using the facilities, and the opportunity to go out and explore the area for exercise, and the pure guiltless fun of it! You can take a tour of the distillery, and visit other local restaurants — perhaps some others with that enigmatic Ardbeggian twist — and bars. You can explore the island and discover its history, nature and legends. And then come back to your warm, cozy room and have the rest of the gods.
Tel +44 1496 730059
https://www.ardbeg.com/visitus/ardbeghouse.html