BACK
1/9
CLOSE
Premium Room
Premium Room
Premium Room
2/9
CLOSE
Premium Room
Premium Room
Premium Room
3/9
CLOSE
Frontage
Frontage
Frontage
4/9
CLOSE
Fresh seafare in our restaurant
Fresh seafare in our restaurant
Fresh seafare in our restaurant
5/9
CLOSE
Premium Room
Premium Room
Premium Room
6/9
CLOSE
House Room
House Room
House Room
7/9
CLOSE
Premium Room
Premium Room
Premium Room
8/9
CLOSE
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
9/9
CLOSE
Cocktails and games to enjoy in our Islay Bar
Cocktails and games to enjoy in our Islay Bar
Cocktails and games to enjoy in our Islay Bar
Visit Website

Overview

Ardbeg House is the work of Glenmorangie's owners on a different stretch of Scottish coast: the former Islay Hotel in Port Ellen, given a multi-million-pound transformation by Russell Sage Studios, the same hand behind Glenmorangie House, and reopened in September 2025 as a 12-room boutique hotel devoted to one of Islay's smokiest single malts. The Times named it Hotel of the Year for 2026, which gives some sense of the ambition. The location is hard to beat. You are a few miles from the distillery itself, with views over the Atlantic and a village of fishermen's cottages on the doorstep.

Inside, the design is colourful and theatrical. Each of the 12 rooms is named for a piece of Ardbeg lore: the Monster Room has crocodile-effect wallpaper inspired by Islay's mythical 'Islaygator', the Fèis Room celebrates the island's whisky and music festival with a headboard built from a deconstructed piano, and there are Smoke, Illicit, Invention, Rebel and Untamed rooms among the others. Miniatures of Ardbeg are hidden in each one for guests to find, which is the kind of detail that tells you whether you are going to enjoy yourself here. Downstairs, the Signature Restaurant cooks modern Scottish food with what the house calls an Ardbeggian twist, and the Islay Bar pours exclusives you will not find anywhere else, including Ardbeg Homecoming and the House Reserve. Drams on arrival, breakfast at the table, and a classic distillery tour or in-house tasting are all included in the room rate. Dogs are welcome in the Fèis Room. For a whisky lover, or for anyone who simply appreciates a hotel that commits properly to its own worldview, this is among the more memorable openings of the past year.

Britain's Finest in conversation with Ardbeg House

What do you think makes a stay at Ardbeg House unique?

Experience Scottish hospitality (Ardbeg style) right in heart of Port Ellen, just a stone’s throw from Ardbeg Distillery.

With twelve luxurious, fully bespoke bedrooms - each inspired by the histories and legends of Ardbeg - and the Signature Restaurant and Islay Bar bringing together the best of Islay on the plate and in the glass, Ardbeg House offers a warm welcome to travellers and Ileachs alike.

Tell us more about the rooms and facilities at Ardbeg House?

Our accommodations include twelve luxurious, fully bespoke bedrooms, each inspired by the histories and legends of Ardbeg and Islay. Crafted by Russell Sage to capture the essence of our island home, our whiskies and the history of Ardbeg – guests won’t want to leave these unique rooms. These story-telling spaces feature the luxurious linens and graceful furnishings you’d expect, with playful details and unexpected delights you wouldn’t.


- House Rooms  – are cosy and full of character. They offer a snug and stylish spot to kick back, with design that’s as bold and quirky as Ardbeg itself.
- Superior Rooms – are spacious, stylish, and full of personality. They offer room to stretch out and make yourself at home – ideal for those who want comfort with a side of surprise.
- Premium Rooms – are made for those who believe bigger is better. They offer plenty of space to explore, relax, and immerse yourself in the unique spirit of Islay and Ardbeg-where every corner invites discovery.


Several of our bedrooms can be set up with either a single king bed, or two twin bed. If you’re booking one of those rooms and would like separate twin beds, please just let us know! A few of our rooms also have a separate sofa-bed, which can be handy both for pals and for a wee one.

 
If you are travelling as a larger family or group, please just call us so we can advise on the best room configuration for your stay.

And remember that your four-legged friend(s), for a small charge, can stay too, .

Can you suggest any activities or things to do while staying in the Port Ellen area?

ACTIVITIES
Guests will never run out of things to do on Islay. There are a number of experiences both in Ardbeg House and the local area.   
- Join the magnificent bar team at Islay Bar for Cocktail making or specially curated Ardbeg tastings.
- Around Ardbeg House, take a short stroll to discover the local beaches, and the village of Port Ellen (Our team can advise on the hidden gems worth exploring to enjoy the fresh air.)
- Explore historic sites around Islay like the Kildalton Cross, the Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and Dunyvaig Castle or discover the unique Singing Sands beach.
- For the whisky lover, Islay is home to 10 famous distilleries – dotted about the island, you can experience all the different ways we can make whisky. Ardbeg Distillery is a short drive along the coast where guests can experience their included tour or tasting. Guests can take the opportunity to upgrade their tour by speaking to the Guest Services Team.
- Join an Islay tour of local sites that inspired Ardbeg expressions with Driver Dougie, explore some of the famous Peatlands, or even jump on a boat tour for a fantastic Scallops and Ardbeg experience.

- For the more adventurous, the Guest Services Team can arrange beach yoga, wildlife tours, water sports or even bike (or e-bike) rentals.
 

Where can guests enjoy food and drink?

THE SIGNATURE RESTAURANT
Enjoy momentous occasions in striking surroundings. For Ileachs, residents and non-residents alike, our world-class restaurant showcases the very best of Islay and Scottish cuisine... with an Ardbeggian twist. A world-class restaurant showcasing the best of Islay’s natural larder, with an elegant private dining space catering for more intimate events.


As an homage to the sea-faring nature of the island, our seasonal menu features wildly fresh seafood alongside locally sourced Scottish specialities.

THE ISLAY BAR & COURTYARD
The Islay Bar pays homage to its original namesake, a long-closed watering hole once beloved by the local community.   Featuring a spectacular range of malts from Islay and beyond, The Islay Bar will offer a full selection of wines, beers and cocktails, alongside a mouth-watering all-day menu for casual dining.  Its lush courtyard for warmer days is an ideal space for locals, guests and non-residents to unwind in wild comfort. We attempt to ensure midges are barred!
 

Other Information

RETAIL
As new or long standing Ardbeggians, guests unlock access to a unique whisky only available from Ardbeg House. Marrying flavours of seaspray, smoke and sweet figs in just 800 bottles, Ardbeg House Reserve serves as the ultimate keepsake, capturing the essence of an unforgettable stay on Islay at Ardbeg House.


Guests also have special access to Ardbeg Homecoming which is exclusive to Islay and sold only at Ardbeg House and the Distillery. This whisky is a celebration of the long pilgrimage “home” to Islay and Ardbeg.


For those who love the smell of Ardbeg, we have brought the scent to life as candles and diffusers by Scottish fragrance-maker Coast Candles:
• Woodsmoke & Christmas Pudding – a rich warm scent inspired by the tasting notes of Ardbeg Uigeadail
• Embers, Sea Spray & Pine – both fresh and earthy, inspired by the tasting notes of Ardbeg Ten Years Old

And for such delectable whiskies, you can present them at home in luxury whisky decanters from Riedel, with special custom decanter necktags to show off how Ardbeggian the expression is.

Facilities & information

Summary

Breakfast included

Public parking nearby (free)

Child friendly

Dog/Pet friendly

Lifts

Facilities

Garden furniture

Tea & coffee making facilities

Children's games

Conference & Meetings

Bars, Cafes & Other

Four Poster Beds

Luggage storage

Towels included

Room Service & Food/Drink

Iron/ironing board

Hair dryers

Telephone

Central heating

Air Conditioning

Recreations

Bicycling, Cycling

Fishing

Sailing, boating, cruises, yachts

Shooting, Clay Shooting, Stalking

Water sports

Wildlife, bird watching

Recommended walks

Beach (walking distance)

Golf course (a short drive)

Food

Restaurant

Cooked breakfast (included)

Lunch available (at additional cost)

Dinner available (at additional cost)

Bar

Extra info

Closed Times: Tuesdays
Nearest Airport: Islay Airport
Open Times: Wednesday 3pm through to 2pm Monday
Dinner Available:
Amex:
Mastercard:
MaestroSwitch:
Visa:
Number of rooms: 12
Number of room to: 12

Pricing

Room Prices From
£267.00
Room Prices To
£556.00
Double/twin room price from
£253.00
Double twin room price to
£462.00

Arrival information & directions

Address: 18 Charlotte Street, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Isle of IslayPA42 7DF, United Kingdom

BY CAR + FERRY Caledonian MacBrayne  run the ferry between Kennacraig on the mainland and Port Ellen/Port Askaig on Islay. Normally 3 sailings daily, except Wednesdays and Sundays. Time: 2 hours. Coach services operate from Glasgow to Kennacraig -

BY AIR Loganair fly from Glasgow to Islay twice daily. Time: approx 30 mins. The little plane flies over Arran, the Mull of Kintyre and the Kildalton Distilleries before landing right beside the beach.

GETTING AROUND Whether you need to hire a car, book a taxi, or check bus times.

TRANSFERS We offer transfers to the Distillery and the Airport from Ardbeg House on request with the Guest Services Team. There is on street parking available near Ardbeg House,

×

Events

View events

View others nearby

View others nearby