Ardbeg House, the boutique hotel in Port Ellen, Islay, has been welcoming guests for over a month, offering a new benchmark in whisky-driven hospitality.
Following a multi-million-pound investment in the former Islay Hotel, the property has been re-designed as a world-class destination where design, storytelling, and Ardbeg’s legendary single malt converge.
The hotel’s design is the result of a close collaboration between Russell Sage Studio, specialist fit-out contractors Thomas Johnstone Ltd, and dozens of artisans from Islay and across Scotland.
Every detail has been considered to immerse visitors in the island’s character, Ardbeg’s history, and a playful yet refined luxury. The 12 individually designed bedrooms and suites each tell a unique Islay story, bringing together local folklore with Ardbeg’s brand of design wit. Copper wall art made from a retired Ardbeg still, a custom boat chandelier, and “Press for Smoke” buttons that reveal hidden smoky drams illustrate the hotel’s mix of craft and narrative.
Bedrooms are further elevated with luxury mattresses supplied by Aberdeen-based Glencraft, ensuring comfort matches style.
Public spaces continue the theme of craft and character. The Islay Bar and Signature Restaurant celebrate local ingredients, pairing Islay seafood, estateraised meat, and Nerabus-grown vegetables with the full range of Ardbeg whiskies, island spirits, craft beers, and inventive cocktails.
A revived local favourite, the bar offers a warm, friendly space for both visitors and the island community. Outside, The Untamed Courtyard features a handcrafted smoker and grill designed by Ardbeg distillery technician Daniel Branson, allowing guests to taste dishes that echo the distillery’s signature smoky notes.
Art and craftsmanship permeate the interiors. Experimental photographic art by Islay-based scientific artist Michelle Curry captures magnetised iron filings suspended in whisky, while Mark Unsworth’s photography evokes Ardbeg’s landscapes and traditions.
Sustainable leather goods by Billy Tannery – from menu covers to aprons – add tactility and ethical luxury throughout the hotel. The Islay Quilters’ abstract patchwork throws celebrate the island’s untamed nature, merging local craft with contemporary design.
Every object, texture, and visual reference are brought together to create an immersive, multisensory experience that speaks to both whisky enthusiasts and design-minded travellers.
Russell Sage Studio describes the project as “Ardbeg through and through” – a space that channels the creative energy of Islay while offering a one-of-a-kind hotel experience. From the buzz of the bar to the intimate details of each suite, Ardbeg House invites visitors to engage with the island’s stories, flavours, and rituals in a deeply personal way.
