Ardbeg House is set to open in Islay town Port Ellen in May 2025 and offer accommodation, food and beverage services.
Islay whisky maker Ardbeg is set to open its own hotel in Port Ellen under the name, Ardbeg House. The property will offer a “world-class whisky and hospitality experience,” including accommodation, food and beverage services.
Ardbeg purchased the Islay Hotel back in 2022 and is letting it operate in current form until late summer 2024. At that time, the property will close until May 2025, but all of the staff will be kept on and temporarily moved to other roles on the island.
When the Ardbeg House opens, it will feature “a witty and distinctly Ardbeggian restyling of every floor.” Interior design company Russell Sage Studio–who previously redesigned the LVMH-owned brand’s visitor center–will lead the makeover, which will include a reimagined bar with a courtyard, a new restaurant on the ground floor, a private dining room; and reimagined bedrooms inspired by Islay legends. On the ground floor, there will be a games area and a whisky cave.
“We are dedicated to making our island a great place to live and visit, so we are tremendously excited about our plans to create a world-class whisky and hospitality experience for Islay residents, visitors to the island and committee members,” said Caspar MacRae, CEO of The Glenmorangie Company. “We welcome all to come and explore the best of Islay. While the hotel will, of course, be a spiritual home for the most ardent Ardbeggians, we promise even those just getting to know the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt will leave lifelong fans.”
Additionally, Ardbeg will create a whisky exclusive to the hotel and the visitor center. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website. In November, Ardbeg unveiled two historic whiskies created at pivotal moments in the distillery’s history, jointly named The Rollercoaster.
In a little over two months, the entirety of Islay will celebrate Fèis Ìle. Last year, Ardbeg released Heavy Vapours, a Scotch distilled without a purifier, as a limited-edition for the festival.