Ardbeg’s New Islay Hotel Is A Whisky Lover’s Dram Come True

• Legendary distiller Ardberg is opening its first boutique hotel, Ardberg House, located a short walk from where its beloved whisky is made.
• Taking over the former site of Port Ellen’s Islay Hotel, it contains 12 suites and rooms, a restaurant, as well as the obligatory bar.
• Single-night stays at Ardberg House begin at around $470 per night (bookings are now open).

For whisky aficionados, the pilgrimage to Islay is a bucket list-worthy rite of passage. But now, fans of Ardbeg have another compelling reason to make the journey.

This month, the cult distillery unveiled Ardbeg House – a boutique hotel and dram-sipping Mecca located just a short walk from the distillery itself – giving guests the chance to eat, sleep, and breathe everything that Ardbeg has to offer.

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Formerly the Islay Hotel in Port Ellen, Ardbeg House has been transformed in collaboration with Russell Sage Studio, along with contributions from more than 20 Scottish makers and Islay artisans.

Inside, you’ll find 12 individually themed suites, each celebrating the island’s myths and legends, while bespoke touches like a chandelier made from an upturned fishing boat, copper wall art forged from a retired still, and buttons labelled “Press for Smoke” add to the hotel’s thematic charm.

Obviously, the experience extends well beyond the bedrooms.

The Signature Restaurant, for one, is anchored by a peat-burning fire table and serves locally-sourced, Ardbeg-inspired dishes. Then there’s the Untamed Courtyard (located outside), which boasts a handcrafted smoker and grill.

If you find yourself there on a Friday, you can expect a gathering at Shortie’s Table for communal dining and curated pairings, while the revived Islay Bar pours exclusives such as the mysterious “Ardbeg Badger Juice” (only available by the dram via Ardberg House).

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“Islay has been Ardbeg’s home for over 200 years – and we are so excited to be sharing our world-class whisky and hospitality experience right here on the island,” said Ardbeg President & CEO Caspar MacRae. “At Ardbeg House, we will immerse the island’s visitors and natives in Islay’s stories and Ardbeggian rituals – as well as sharing some very exclusive whiskies.”

Every stay includes a distillery tour, while a nightly 6:15 PM ritual (a nod to Ardbeg’s founding year 1815) sees guests raise a glass together in the bar. Between the whisky hour, the meticulously designed interiors, and the immersive storytelling, Ardbeg House is guaranteed to become a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates Ardbeg’s peaty creations.