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Ardbeg has
unveiled plans for a luxurious
transformation of The Islay Hotel which
it acquired back in 2022, they aim to
provide exceptional accommodation,
cuisine, and libations for local
residents, tourists, and whisky
enthusiasts for years to come in what
will be known as 'Ardbeg House'.
Ardbeg Islay single malt Scotch whisky
is embarking on an extravagant makeover
of a well-known hotel near its
Distillery. With a vision to craft a
world-class whisky and hospitality
experience, Ardbeg acquired the beloved
Islay Hotel on its remote Scottish
island home in 2022. Now, with a
proposed multi-million-pound upgrade
intended to pay homage to Islay's spirit
and share the rich stories that define
its brand, Ardbeg aims to provide
exceptional accommodation, cuisine, and
libations for local residents, tourists,
and whisky enthusiasts for years to
come.
Having distilled its untamed smoky
whisky on Islay for over 200 years,
Ardbeg is committed to making the island
an exceptional place to work, live, and
visit. When the opportunity arose to
invest in the town of Port Ellen by
acquiring the hotel, Ardbeg eagerly
seized the chance. The team plans to
continue operating the hotel as it is
until late summer 2024, honouring all
existing bookings. Following a brief
closure period, the hotel is set to
reopen in May 2025 with a clever and
uniquely Ardbeggian redesign of each
floor. Throughout the renovation
process, all hotel staff will be
retained and temporarily assigned to
other roles on the island.
Under the guidance of Russell Sage
Studio, renowned interior storymakers
who have already made a significant
impact on the Distillery’s visitor
center, the proposed changes encompass:
- A reimagined
bar with courtyard, called The Islay
Bar. Named after the hotel’s
much-loved former watering hole
which closed years ago, it is
designed as a hub to bring local
residents and visitors together;
- A new-look
restaurant on the ground floor,
which will be open to non-residents,
with a private dining room for
special occasions.
- A new name
for the hotel, which will be known
as Ardbeg House;
- Quirky and
luxurious bedrooms and suites, each
telling unique stories of Islay and
its legends and Ardbeg, complete
with numerous playful details and
hidden surprises;
- An exclusive
space for hotel residents and
members of the Ardbeg Committee –
the brand’s loyal following – on the
lower ground floor, with an area for
games, a whisky cave and a unique
after-hours-style warmth. The
Committee is free to join on
ardbeg.com;
- An exclusive
Ardbeg whisky, only available at the
hotel and the Ardbeg Distillery
Visitor Centre
CEO Caspar MacRae
said: "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. 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."
You will find the current
Ardbeg whisky range available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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