Ardbeg House brings ‘world-class hospitality’ to Islay
The Glenmorangie Company has opened the doors of its boutique hotel Ardbeg House following a multi-million-pound transformation of the former Islay Hotel in Port Ellen.
The new hotel has been designed to offer a world-class hospitality experience to whisky lovers, tourists and the local community.
Ardbeg president and CEO Caspar MacRae said: “Islay has been Ardbeg’s home for over 200 years – and we are so excited to be sharing this world-class whisky and hospitality experience in the heart of Port Ellen, just a stone’s throw from the distillery. At Ardbeg House, we will immerse the island’s visitors and local community in local stories and Ardbeggian rituals – as well as sharing some very exclusive whiskies.
“Ardbeg House is a one-of-a-kind travel destination which will further enhance Islay’s reputation as one of the best places on the planet for whisky tourism.
“Whether or not our guests are smoky malt lovers when they arrive, we guarantee that by the time they leave, they will be lifelong fans of Ardbeg and Islay. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and locals through our doors to eat, sleep and drink Ardbeg from today.”
The 12-bedroom hotel has been created in partnership with Russell Sage Studio – the interior designers behind the venue’s sister hotel, Glenmorangie House – and Scotland-based, specialist fit-out contractors Thomas Johnstone.
In addition, dozens of Islay’s makers have been celebrated throughout the House’s design, with experimental photographic art by Islay-based scientific artist Michelle Curry, who has depicted magnetised iron filings suspended in Ardbeg whisky,
Furthermore, the house features photography from Mark Unsworth of Islay Studios, which showcases a variety of Islay and Ardbeggian scenes, including one celebrating a traditional peat stack. An abstract patchwork throw by charitable collective the Islay Quilters is also on display, and represents Ardbeg’s ‘untamed’ nature.
The House seeks to enhance the island’s whisky tourism and hospitality offering with its 12 rooms, a restaurant, and a bar designed to immerse guests in Islay’s flavours.
Located near the Ardbeg Distillery, the suites and bedrooms have been individually designed and curated to tell a different Islay story, merging playful details with Ardbeg’s own brand of luxury.
The House rooms – the Smoke Room, the Founders Room, the Fèis Room, the Creation Room, and the Illicit Room – are described as cosy and full of character, offering a snug and stylish spot to kick back, with design that’s ‘as bold and quirky as Ardbeg itself’. Meanwhile, the Superior rooms – the Wee Beastie Room, the Legend Room, and the Wild Room – are ‘spacious, stylish, and full of personality’, and are said to be ideal for those who want comfort with a side of surprise.
Finally, the Premium rooms – the Monster Room, the Rebel Room, the Untamed Room, and the Invention Room – are ‘made for those who believe bigger is better’, presenting plenty of space to explore, relax, and immerse yourself in the unique spirit of Islay and Ardbeg.
Dogs are allowed in the Fèis, Legend, and Rebel rooms for an additional £15 (US$20) per pooch per night.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy lunch and dinner in the hotel’s Signature Restaurant, which will serve dishes such as hand-dived scallops collected by one of the distillery’s still men, meat from the Islay Estates farm, and vegetables grown on the island’s Nerabus Farm.
Meanwhile the Islay Bar is stocked with a vast range of Ardbeg expressions, as well as whiskies from the island and beyond, alongside craft beers and cocktails.
The Untamed Courtyard features a handcrafted smoker and grill, courtesy of Ardbeg’s distillery technician Daniel Branson, offering guests the chance to savour dishes that mirror Ardbeg’s signature smoky notes.
Well-behaved dogs are allowed in the bar and courtyard area, but they are not permitted in the restaurant.
Russell Sage, founder of the eponymous studio, said: “There’s nothing like Ardbeg House in Scotland – it is like nowhere else in the world. I hope people will be proud that Ardbeg has created an extraordinary travel experience right here on Islay.
“From the buzz of the Islay Bar, home to locals and visitors alike, to the extraordinary décor in the bedrooms inspired by the myths and legends of Islay and tales from the distillery – a visit appeals to all the senses.
“There’s such a creative energy to Islay. On the island and throughout Scotland, we’ve found artists with such passion, and we’ve invited them to be part of Ardbeg House. There’s been a wonderful sense of magnetism about this project, which is Ardbeg through and through.”
The House also offers an array of immersive experiences to give guests the opportunity to discover more about Ardbeg and Islay.
A daily distillery tour is reserved for guests of Ardbeg House, and there are also opportunities to explore Islay’s landscape, wildlife and beaches.
Plus, at 6.15pm (18:15) each night – a nod to Ardbeg’s founding year of 1815 – all guests are invited to the Islay Bar for a special whisky hour ritual, where they can toast the day and taste Ardbeg Badger Juice, which is the creation of master blender Gillian Macdonald. The whisky is available only by the dram in the Islay Bar, and the recipe of each highly limited and ‘unrepeatable’ batch will remain secret. It is priced at £5 (US$6.75) per 25ml measure.
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