This Whisky Hotel on Islay is the Best of the Country

by Francis Moses

Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 15:05The Whiskey Wash

The Ardbeg House on the Islay Island has just won a major travel award, just a few months after it opened its doors. The boutique whisky hotel has been ranked as the Best Place to Stay in the UK and Scotland. In The Times/The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2026 guide.

The hotel opened its doors to its first guests six months ago, in September 2025. Everything in the hotel is whisky related, even the rooms are Ardbeg themed. The recognition immediately followed.

Whisky hotel on the Islay shores

Ardbeg House is located on the shores of Port Ellen, close to the renowned Ardbeg Distillery. The hotel is very small with only 12 rooms, which makes it seem small and exclusive.

The judges characterized the hotel as a whisky wonderland. That has gaudy interiors and a vibrant bar. They also complimented the ambience. Saying that the bar is accessible to both locals and whisky enthusiasts. The judging panel gave high ratings to rooms, food, and drinks.

The hotel was rated at 9 out of 10 on the whole, with specific mention of the appreciation of its colourful nature and its playful fashion.

Created to capture the spirit of Islay

The hotel was designed in collaboration with Russell Sage Studio. Which has a reputation for an approach to interior design that is more narrative. This was to capture the personality of the Ardbeg brand. And the spirit of Islay.

Over 20 Scottish and Islay artisans manually crafted works for the property. The outcome is a blend of the classic island craft. And the daring visual style of Ardbeg.

Ardbeg communications and hospitality director, Ellie Goss, was pleased to receive the award so early on. When the business had only recently opened.

'The hotel was built to provide visitors with a better understanding of the island, its people, and the traditions of the distillery and whisky.'

- Ellie Goss

One of the increasing trends in whisky tourism

The Glenmorangie Company is the owner of Ardbeg. And has the support of a luxury group, LVMH. Its single malt Scotch whisky is heavily peated. And is famous throughout the world.

Over the past few years, most Scotch whisky distilleries have increased their visitor experiences. Hotels, restaurants, and distillery tourism are also taking a key role. In the whisky tourism in Scotland.

The Ardbeg House Award is an additional attraction to Islay. Which is already well known among the lovers of whisky. It is now the home of over a dozen operational distilleries. Which puts it among the most popular whisky destinations in the world.