Immerse yourself in the world of Ardbeg at this boutique hotel.
Whisky lovers will often refer to Scotland’s island of Islay as ‘Whisky Isle’. It’s the home of numerous working distilleries that produce peaty single-malt whiskies, including 200-year-old Ardbeg. And while many whisky devotees will embark on a pilgrimage to Islay to tour distilleries and get a taste of the very best nips makers have on offer, they can now fully immerse themselves in the world of whisky from sunrise to sunset thanks to the opening of Ardbeg House.
Right in the heart of Port Ellen, just a stone’s throw from Ardbeg Distillery, sits Ardbeg House. Twelve individually-themed luxury bedrooms and suites ensure whisky lovers get a hospitality experience that goes beyond the distillery. Guests will stay in unique rooms that capture the heart and spirit of Ardbeg and Islay, dine at the Signature Restaurant and drink at watering hole Islay Bar and Courtyard.
The rooms are bold and eccentric, with gothic-like interiors. No two rooms are alike, with one featuring four-poster beds swirled with metal serpents, while another embraces the coastal location with patterned wallpaper that looks like waves crashing in on each other. Minimalists, you’ve been warned. Each room is a feast for the eyes and the more you look at each element the more details you’ll discover. Works of more than 20 Scottish makers and artists are featured throughout the 12 rooms, which proves the Ardbeg’s dedication to making this an authentically Scottish stay, which flows into the ethos of the Signature Restaurant.
The menu at the dining offering at Ardbeg House is a smorgasbord of Islay delicacies. From hand-dived Islay scallops, to Islay duck cannelloni, poached Islay crab, Islay Estate game terrine, Islay Blackface lamb and Ardbeg smoked venison pie, each dish is hyper-local and pairs perfectly with a dram of Ardbeg whisky.
Whisky isn’t reserved for the distilleries. At 6pm everyday guests are welcomed to Islay Bar for whisky hour, where they can toast to the day sipping on one of the House’s 500-plus selections of Ardbeg’s small batch whisky. The bar also has a grand range of malts from Islay and beyond, including wines, beers and cocktails alongside an all-day casual dining menu.
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To celebrate 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee (the official fan club of Ardbeg Distillery), Ardbeg has launched The Search for Australia’s Biggest Ardbeg Fan, which will see two lucky Aussies embark on the ultimate whisky pilgrimage to Islay. The prize includes return Premium Economy flights to Scotland for May 2026, a three-night stay at the new Ardbeg House and a distillery tour. To win this competition fans are invited to join the Ardbeg Committee for free and then submit a short photo or video showcasing their passion for Ardbeg.
We’ll cheers to that!
The competition runs until November 30, 2025. The two lucky winners will be announced on December 6, 2025. For more information or to enter, visit ardbegcommittee.com.au.
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