How Ardbeg House combines Scottish whisky heritage with luxury hospitality

The Scottish island of Islay captivates visitors with its vast peat bogs, rugged coastline, and the salty scent of the Atlantic Ocean. Although it has a population of just 3’000, it is known worldwide for its smoky single malts. One of the most legendary distilleries, Ardbeg, is now going one step further: with the founding of Ardbeg House in Port Ellen, a boutique hotel has been created that captures the character and history of the island in a unique way.

The new Ardbeg House, which emerged from the former Islay Hotel, is an unmitigated work of art. More than 20 artists and Russel Sage’s London design studio have created twelve suites, each telling its own story. In one, a copper ​‘A’ is reminiscent of an old still, while in another, a rowing boat hangs from the ceiling as a lamp. ​‘We wanted guests to feel like they were entering another world,’ says Russel Sage. ​‘Islay inspires with its myths and magic – that’s exactly what we wanted to convey.’

Cuisine from the coast of Islay

The hotel also draws deeply on the island’s culinary treasures: the Signature Restaurant serves scallops from the coast of Islay, game from the estates and slow-braised lamb, often with a delicate smoky flavour. The Islay Bar, which has always been a meeting place for locals, has once again become the heart of the village. Here you can find exclusive bottlings such as the 21-year-old Ardbeg House Reserve or Badger Juice, which is exclusive to the bar – fresh from the barrel every evening at 6:15 p.m.

Sightseeing on Islay

Those who stay longer can discover Islay even more intensively: distillery tours, whisky workshops, boat trips along the coast, or evenings with local storytellers make the stay an adventure for all the senses. And once you’ve been there, you might understand why Ardbeg boss Caspar MacRae says: ​‘Getting to Islay is hard enough – leaving the island is probably even harder.’

The highlights of Ardbeg House

• Twelve individually designed suites inspired by Islay’s history
• Signature restaurant with local ingredients and Ardbeg-inspired dishes
• Islay Bar with exclusive whiskies, including 21-year-old Ardbeg House Reserve & Badger Juice
• Daily Whisky Hour at 6:15 p.m.
• Exclusive distillery tours & island experiences for hotel guests

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