Stays at Ardbeg House on the Scottish island of Islay include a whisky tour at the nearby distillery, and guests can also try a small-batch dram exclusively available at the on-site bar.
A boutique property in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland has just been named the UK’s best hotel.
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Named for the Ardbeg Distillery, a love of whisky runs deep at Ardbeg House on the island of Islay. Every stay includes a whisky tour at the distillery, and eagle-eyed guests will be able to find a mini bottle hidden in their room.
Consisting of just 12 rooms – each of which is individually themed – UK newspaper The Times decided Ardbeg House deserved its place at the top of its 50 Best Places to Stay list because it is “a bit off-the-wall, nothing like anywhere else we visited for our list”.
With interiors from Russell Sage Studio, guest rooms draw on the landscapes and myths of the island. For example, the room named “smoke” is filled with references to peat (Ardbeg is known for its heavily peated whisky), with a headboard meant to represent peat stacks and wispy smoke detailing in the bathroom.
The Islay Bar within the hotel is meant to be a real highlight of any stay, with more than 100 different types of whisky on offer, including Badger Juice, a small-batch dram only available here.
The restaurant similarly takes its cue from its location, with fish caught locally, beef that is smoked over whisky staves from Ardbeg’s barrels, and bread made using the same grain at the distillery.
The Times judges properties on its UK best list by looking at several elements including location, interiors, food, drink and service. Value for money is also taken into account.
Ardbeg Distillery has more than 200 years of history, having first begun producing whisky in 1798. The distillery and hotel are owned by Glenmorangie Company, which is part of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). The property opened in September last year.
You have two options for reaching Islay: A 25-minute flight from Glasgow, or a two-hour ferry from Kennacraig.
What else to do on the island of Islay
There are 10 working distilleries on the island, three of which are linked by the Three Distilleries Pathway. Islay also plays host to the Fèis Ìle festival each summer with distillery open days, ceilidhs and live music.
Aside from whisky, the island is also known for its stunning beaches – assuming you’re brave enough to take a dip in the bracing cold waters.
You’ll also find wildlife including otters, seals and deer as well as more than 200 species of bird.
