As a whisky writer who has visited Islay more than a dozen times across the past decade, The Machrie is one of my favourite hotels in one of my favourite locations in the world: The Isle of Islay. The hotel is part of the Another Place hotel collection and offers a really elegant stay near the beach in between Bowmore and Port Ellen on the island. The Machrie is also conveniently tucked away near the airport and features a challenging, yet fair, links golf course with stunning views as well as the 18 Restaurant & Bar. It’s an excellent hotel to unwind and recover energy in between your Islay adventures. The hotel is also dog-friendly, so your four-legged companion can join the trip. Visit Another Place The Machrie Hotel for a wonderful island experience, that makes you not want to leave.
Another Place The Machrie Hotel: elegance and coastal luxury on the Isle of Islay
The first time I visited The Machrie Hotel was when I got stuck on the island. A storm had blown in and no flights could land, meaning we could not leave as planned. Thankfully Loganair arranges overnight accommodation and a voucher for dinner and we ended up in The Machrie. It certainly is not a bad place to escape a storm and we had a lovely evening with a nice dinner and a good nights sleep. Since then I have stayed at the hotel multiple times when I’ve been on the island through my whisky writing work. It is always a pleasure to return. If you are in your research phase and still weighing where to base yourself on the island, do check out our full guide to the Isle of Islay hotels and where to stay which compares The Machrie alongside our other favourite coastal luxury and cosy picks.
♥ Read my guide to all the best things to do and see on Islay here.
How to get to The Machrie
Another Place The Machrie is located a short 5 minute drive from the Islay Airport, a 10 minute drive from the ferry port at Port Ellen or a 30 minutes drive from the Port Askaig ferry port.
The Machrie Hotel on Islay: Design & Features
From the moment you arrive, The Machrie feels deeply connected to its surroundings – both in setting and in style. The design strikes a careful balance between heritage and modernity, blending the character of the original building with a sleek contemporary extension that opens up to the dramatic Islay landscape.
The interiors were designed to feel more like a relaxed home than a formal hotel, with soft and muted tones layered alongside subtle pops of colour in furnishings and artwork. Natural light plays a huge role throughout the space, with expansive windows framing views of the dunes, golf course and Atlantic beyond.
There’s also a strong sense of place woven into the details. With locally sourced materials and curated artwork sitting alongside contemporary pieces. This creates interiors that feel both stylish and grounded in the island’s identity. The result is a space that feels effortlessly comfortable – somewhere you can just as easily sink into a sofa by the fire as well as enjoy the featured design elements around you. I particularly like the vintage design silk scarves that have been framed like artwork on the walls.
Islat is an island best explored slowly, which is exactly why we love it. For the full picture of distilleries, beaches and coastal walks to inspire your stay, have a look at our complete Isle of Islay travel guide. It’s our most-loved starting point for anyone planning a first or returning trip to the whisky island.
The Machrie Golf Course
The golf course at Another Place The Machrie is an 18-hole links course which also has a driving range and putting green. Equipment is available for hire and it’s also possible to do lessons either on the course or in the simulator. You can book in for a round of golf on the 18-hole course or practice on the Wee course, simulator or driving range. The prices for a round of golf start from £130 per round (£185 for visitors) or £194 per day (£278 for visitors) in high season with lower rates for the rest of the year. You might be able to guess that the weather on Islay can be quite temperamental at times, making the elements around you your biggest challenge during a round at this golf course. But who doesn’t love a challenge?
- Difficulty: Can be a challenging links course which is par 72 and has a rating of 74.2 (expected score of a scratch golfer)
- Price per round: £130 for hotel guests or £185 for visitors in high season
- Price for driving range: £3 for 25 balls
- Club hire: £40 per round
The Rooms
My stay in a standard room at Another Place The Machrie proved that you don’t need to upgrade to experience comfort and thoughtful touches. The room felt calm and unfussy, with a clean and modern design inspired by the landscape around the hotel.
A small but much-appreciated detail was the fridge, stocked with both still and sparkling water—perfect after a day out exploring Islay. There was also a small jug of milk provided, a simple touch that made morning tea or coffee feel that bit more homely.
The bathroom struck a great balance between practicality and comfort, featuring both a shower and a bath – ideal whether you’re in need of a quick refresh or a long soak. All the essentials were covered too with shampoo, conditioner and body wash provided. So there’s no need to worry about packing extras.
The bed was wonderfully comfortable, making it easy to unwind after a day on the island. One of the highlights, though, was being able to leave the window slightly open and let in the fresh Islay air. It added to the sense of tranquillity and made for a particularly restful night’s sleep. I always sleep so much better with lower temperatures in the room. However I would perhaps not recommend this in the midgie season as the west coast midgies can be not so pleasant to deal with.
Each morning you can find a weather card by the door updating you on what to expect from the day ahead.
Here below you can see a Standard Room at The Machrie with a view across towards the golf course and the sea.
The 18 Restaurant & Bar at The Machrie Hotel on Islay
18 Restaurant & Bar is a bright open space where both breakfast, lunch and dinner is served. The interior feels relaxed and inviting yet elegant.
Dinner
If you are going for dinner at 18 Restaurant & Bar, it is almost a must to try at least one dish with seafood. The seafood is sourced from the island and is just incredibly fresh and delicious. My recommendations for seafood would be the Islay scallops or lobster, crab and mozzarella arancini for starters. They also do really good oysters! I actually tried my first ever scallop on Islay. So I have a soft spot for the ones from the island. The venison from the Ardtalla estate on the island is also very good.
If you are going for a lunch, my recommendations would be the steak frites or club sandwich.
Afternoon Tea
It is also possible to book in for an afternoon tea at The Machrie. It is available for £35 per person or £50 per person with champagne. I have not yet managed to try this myself, but hoping to book it in for my next visit. It is served in the lounge with gorgeous views out over the dunes. The menu is a mix of afternoon tea classics and home-baked sweets things that sound delightful.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Another Place The Machrie is served in the 18 Restaurant. There is a combination of buffet-style items and an a la carte menu to choose from. One of my favourites for breakfast is the waffles that you make yourself in the waffle station. I’m usually quite picky with my waffles, and these are really good! I also usually order the cream cheese and salmon bagel with capers which is another delicious morning treat. Another speciality of the restaurant at The Machrie is the porridge or the smoked haddock kedgeree which is a popular breakfast dish in Scotland with Indian roots.
Wild Garden Hot Tub & Sauna
Out by the dunes toward the golf course is where you find the Wild Garden. It features wood-fired hot tubs, outdoor sauna and cold plunge tub. This wellness area is set up in partnership with Kirami UK. The area is open 07.00-21.00 each day. Should the covers still be on the hot tub or plunge bath you can just ask in reception and they will assist. Since the sunsets are particularly stunning on Islay, I can warmly recommend a little sauna sessions at the end of the day. There is also a communal fire pits where you can request kindling to gather around. Or perhaps enjoy a little dram of Islay whisky.
It is also possible to book Ishga spa treatments taking place inside the hotel’s treatment rooms Wednesday-Sunday. Advanced booking is essential for the spa treatments.
Can you spot the little cold plunge pool? This is where you are likely to find me on my visits to the hotel.
Additional Information
- Address: The Machrie Hotel, Isle of Islay PA42 7AN
- Website: https://another.place/the-machrie
- Price Range: Room prices starting at £230 per night for two adults sharing a room
- Check-In/Check-Out: From 15.00 and before 11.00
- Amenities: En-suite bedrooms, lounge area, restaurant, bar, WiFi, cinema room, cooked a la carte breakfast, golf course, hot tub & sauna, free parking, 24/7 gym, spa treatments
- Perfect For: Couples, whisky enthusiasts, food aficionados, honeymoon, solo travellers
The Machrie is a quiet invitation to slow down — which is exactly why it has become one of our favourite stays for slow travel in Scotland.
FAQ – The Machrie Hotel on the Isle of Islay
The Machrie is dog-friendly and have a set list of guidelines for pets and their owners to ensure the best possibly stay. However pets are only welcome in certain rooms, so make sure to contact the hotel in advance and book a dog-friendly room.
The restaurant at The Machrie serves Scottish Cuisine with a lot of dishes incorporating produce from the island, such as fantastic fresh seafood.
The Ben Hogan Suite is the best room at the Machrie. This large suite is split between two levels and includes a kitchenette and living space.
The beach is just beyond the hotel and golf course and a 10-15 minute walk away from the hotel.
In the high season a round of golf for hotel guests is £130 or £185 for visitors and £195 per day for hotel guests or £278 for visitors at the golf course at The Machrie.
I would recommend booking a table in advance at the 18 Restaurant & Bar at The Machrie Hotel to make sure you get a space on your preferred date and time.
On the move to the Isle of Islay
Whether you’re torn between Another Place The Machrie and one of the island’s other coastal luxury stays, or combining a few nights here with a room at Ardbeg House, we’ve put together our full edit of where to stay on Islay to help you compare. The island rewards those who take their time — and the right base makes all the difference.
Looking for more inspiration for your Islay trip?
- Isle of Islay in Scotland: a guide to visiting the whisky island
- A guide to all the distilleries on Islay: tours, cafés & recommendations
- Inside Ardbeg House: Islay’s Ultimate Whisky Hotel
- Isle of Islay Hotels & Where to Stay: from coastal luxury to cosy AirBNBs
Or perhaps for your travels across Scotland?
- Romantic getaways in Scotland: The Most Luxurious Escapes for Couples in 2026
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
- A whisky writers guide to Speyside in Scotland
- Isle of Raasay Guide – the hidden island gem next to the Isle of Skye
- Isle of Skye restaurants, cafés and oyster sheds
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.
