The first ever whisky that I enjoyed was the Ardbeg 10 Year Old. This is a smoky single malt from Scotland. It reminded me of smoked meats and camping fires from my childhood in Sweden. It felt nostalgic and familiar, something I had yet to experience when trying whiskies. I am now deeply involved in the whisky world and have gained much more experience and knowledge since 2017. And I still really enjoy whisky from Ardbeg. So you can imagine how excited I was to receive the invitation to experience the brand new Ardbeg House as one of the first people in the world to see it in person. This brand new boutique hotel on Islay is the perfect spot to stay when visiting the island. Especially if you are a whisky enthusiast! And don’t forget to also book in for an Ardbeg Distillery tour.
First impression of the boutique hotel Ardbeg House
The owners of Ardbeg Distillery and Ardbeg House is Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. And when LVMH does experiences, you are sure to get something quite spectacular. Immediately when I stepped inside this quirky boutique hotel, it was almost hard to believe that we were still in Port Ellen on Islay. Let me set the scene for you. Port Ellen is the second biggest town on the island of Islay and has less than a thousand inhabitants. It is a quaint little place and it takes around ten minutes to walk through the entire town. Just imagine the contrast of having one of the most quirky hotels I have ever experienced with octopus lamps, an old repurposed motorbike as an after-dinner drink cart and seaweed interior design in the middle of this traditional little Scottish island town.
And the best part about it? All of the locals I spoke to were so excited to have this spot in town. A new curious place where they can go for drinks and food.
♥ Read my full guide on all the best things to do and see on Islay here!
The island of Islay
If you were to ask me what my favourite place on earth is, I am very likely to answer that it would be the Isle of Islay. The island is located off the west coast of Scotland and can only be reached by sea or air. Islay is often called the “whisky island”. This is because the small island is home to nearly twelve distilleries that produce world-renowned single malt Scotch. In spite of being such a small place, the island is an official whisky region.
The island is also an incredible place to visit, even for those who might not be so keen on whisky. The island has some incredible landscapes. From dramatic cliffs on the Oa Peninsula to gorgeous beaches around the south and northwest. There is also fascinating wildlife, and so far I’ve seen plenty of seals, various birds and wild deer. I have not yet been lucky to see dolphins, but I have been told by the local fishermen that they are not uncommon. Sometimes they even see orcas too.
My 3 must-do things on the island are as follows:
- Visit a distillery and try Islay whisky
- Go for a walk to the American Monument and enjoy the dramatic landscape on the Oa Peninsula
- Try local seafood
The rooms at Ardbeg House
Each of the 12 rooms at Ardbeg House has its own theme and interior design. All themes in the hotel are inspired by Ardbeg and Islay such as the Monster, Smoke and Illicit rooms. All rooms feel and look very Ardbeg, but in their own unique way.
I stayed in the Feis room, named after the Fèis Ìle Festival. Fèis Ìle is a whisky and music festival on the island taking place the last week of May. The room has details inspired by music such as drums for bedside tables, a gramophone ceiling lamp and a grand piano headboard. The room was located right above The Islay Bar. However, even with the window open I did not hear a lot of noise at any time. Each of the rooms have a mini bar with a lovely selection of snacks and drinks. As well as a kettle and coffee machine. The beds were also super comfortable with big pillows and I definitely wish that I could’ve stayed more than just two nights.
Each room has hidden whisky!
Not only does each room have a unique theme, but whisky has been hidden in each of them. The whisky is of course from Ardbeg Distillery. During our visit it was a lovely dram that I thoroughly enjoyed and had not tried before. I don’t want to spoil the surprise so I won’t say too much about it. It is a highlight to discover everything for yourself. The whisky was particularly well hidden in some of the rooms and incorporated into decor such as bird cages, hidden panels in the walls or inside wardrobes. A small detail, but oh so fun!
In my room I found an Islay Exclusive whisky called Ardbeg Homecoming. Islay Exclusive means that the whisky is only available on the island and nowhere else in the world. The whisky had been maturing in ex-rum casks and had a lovely sweet character. Such a tasty whisky! The whisky is subject to change due to limited availability of the batches.
An Islay hotel breakfast with local produce & islands twists
The restaurant staff is serving up the breakfast in the restaurant space. When you step in to the restaurant it almost feels like you are underwater due to the interior design. There are shades of green all around you with seaweed ornaments along the walls and old fashioned nautical lamps providing light sources. On the table in front of the fireplace, which is aptly called the Fire Table, fruit juices, pastries and fruit are served whilst an a la carte menu is available by table service. On the menu you find options such as Scottish porridge, avocado toast, rainbow trout, local eggs or homemade pancakes.
I tried different breakfast options and my favorite was a recommendation from the lovely breakfast servers. Her recommendations to me has now become my recommendation to you, which is the natural yoghurt with Port Ellen honey. The local apiarist Peter Hart supplies the honey. This is probably the best honey I have ever tasted and they certainly gave a generous portion of it along with the yoghurt. Such a treat! I also really enjoyed the smoked trout, although the scrambled eggs were a tad too dry for my liking so I would perhaps choose a different variant of egg alongside it.
Dinner at the Ardbeg House restaurant
Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can book in for a lunch or dinner at the restaurant. The menu features a lot of local produce, which I always love to see. I started with the fantastic Islay game terrine. Although I’m not usually a fan of lamb, I had the best lamb I’ve ever tasted here—it was part of the set menu we tried on our second night. I also highly recommend trying the seafood, as local fishermen catch it fresh from the waters around the island.
After your starters and mains, a repurposed old motorcycle transformed into a bar cart rolls around, offering you the chance to choose a dram to enjoy with your dessert or as a digestif. If you have not tried Ardbeg Whisky before I would highly recommend the An Oa which has a nice sweetness to it alongside the smoke. It is an excellent dram with any kind of chocolate dessert as well so I would also highly recommend a pairing.
♥ So what is a ‘dram‘? you might think: it is a pour of whisky – the bar standard is 25ml or 35ml (most commonly 25ml) but in a private setting it is usually said that the more the host likes you, the bigger the dram.
The Islay Bar
One of the big requests from the locals was to reopen The Islay Bar which had been a popular spot for a drink under the previous owners. The Islay Bar is now open once again and has some great prices for drams, especially compared to Edinburgh. For those who prefer something different, don’t miss the cocktails. The Mothership Scotland team—who run Edinburgh bars Bramble and Last Word—created the spectacular cocktails. The latter is actually my local go-to bar and a recommendation if you are visiting Edinburgh.
My cocktail recommendations at The Islay Bar would be the Journey Juice which is quite rich and indulgent, the Odd Ball which is a smoky whisky + cherry cola and also Solam’s Ruin which has a little bit of spice. Funnily enough I usually do not like cola with any type of spirit, but would most often rather just have the cola on its own. But the Oddball was incredible so it is now my only exception for a whisky + cola and I would order it again – and again.
Ardbeg Distillery Tour
It would be a shame to visit Ardbeg House and not make the journey east to the Ardbeg Distillery for a whisky tour! They offer a variety of distillery tours, from the classic distillery tour to more advance tastings. During the classic tour you get to see the distillery production areas as well as try three of the core range whiskies. It is also possible to visit the distillery to try one of the Whisky Flights. Tasting and enjoying whiskies in the very place where they were crafted years ago is such a special feeling. The distillery also has a lovely café called The Old Kiln Café which is one of the best spots for lunch on the island. During certain seasons, an Airstream is parked in the Ardbeg courtyard, serving drinks and food to enjoy outside or take away.
Bonus recommendation: Islay Sea Adventures
One of the best activities to book on the island is one of the excursions with Islay Sea Adventures. On the Wildlife Safari and the Islay Seafood Trip you get to see the south coast distilleries from the sea which is fantastic. It’s one of the best views of Ardbeg Distillery you can get. Often you also get to see seals – and there might even be a little dram available onboard. The Islay Seafood Trip is the absolute best one to do, but it’s only available certain days. On that excursion you also get a seafood feast served onboard the boat. They usually have scallops, lobster, shrimp and crab. It is some of the freshest seafood you will ever taste!
FAQ Visiting Ardbeg House Hotel on the Isle of Islay
Ardbeg House is located right by the ferry terminal in the village of Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay, in the building that used to be The Islay Hotel.
Ardbeg Distillery is located about 3.5 miles further west on the island which is about a 10 minute drive or a 1.5 hour walk along the south coast.
Ardbeg House allows dogs in certain rooms, so check directly with the hotel when booking to ensure you reserve a dog-friendly room if needed.
The Classic Tour costs £22.50 per person, but it’s best to check the website for details and availability. To book in advance is highly recommended.
If you are arriving by ferry in to Port Ellen, then you arrive right by the hotel. However, keep in mind that bad weather can cause the ferry to use a different port. In that case you arrive at Port Askaig which is further northeast on the island. From Port Askaig it’s about an half hour drive to Ardbeg House. If arriving by flight to Islay Airport, then it’s only a ten minute drive to the hotel. Buses and taxis are available on the island, but driving is usually the easiest way to get around.
Looking for more inspiration for your Islay trip?
- Isle of Islay in Scotland: A guide to visiting the whisky island
- The Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland: From Historic Icons to Hidden Gems
- The Machrie Hotel: elegance and luxury on the isle of Islay
- A guide to all the distilleries on Islay: tours, cafés & recommendations
- Isle of Islay Hotels & Where to Stay: from coastal luxury to cosy AirBNBs
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
