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Islay Hotel

Islay Hotel

Isle of Islay, The UK

Islay Hotel

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Overlooking the marina in Port Ellen, the Islay Hotel is conveniently situated for exploring the three whisky distilleries which line this portion of Islay’s south coast. Its bright and cheerful interior features work by local artists and the light, wooden floors and blend of traditional touches and contemporary styling help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

The hotel has just 13 rooms which are simply but comfortably decorated in the hues of the Scottish landscape with light blues, heathery purples, mossy greens and russet browns in the fabrics and soft furnishings. Rooms are spacious and have large beds, all of which can be set up as twins. 

The restaurant is lively and serves a range of dishes which champion local produce such as fish, seafood, meat and game. It’s a popular spot with locals, which makes it hard to get a table unless you book. The bar serves the same menu in a more casual setting and stocks a wide range of local whiskies and gins. 

OUR OPINION:

We think this hotel is fantastically situated, and although the restaurant can get busy, the food is great.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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Audley Travel Specialist Caroline

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Photos of Islay Hotel

  • Islay Hotel
    Islay Hotel
  • Islay Hotel
    Islay Hotel
  • Islay Hotel
    Islay Hotel
  • Mussels at the Islay Hotel
    Mussels at the Islay Hotel
  • Islay Hotel
    Islay Hotel

Rooms

Each of the 13 rooms is light and cheery, decorated with shades of purple heather, moss green, russet brown and ocean blue as a nod to the Scottish landscape. Beds are all zip and link, which means they can be set up as large doubles or twins, and a child’s extra bed can fit in many of the rooms. All rooms come with tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and most of the en suite bathrooms have a shower over the bath.

Location

Overlooking the pier in Port Ellen, the hotel is just moments from the ferry terminal and the main street of the town which runs along the bay. The three distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg are all within walking distance, accessed by a footpath which links them with Port Ellen.

Food and drink

The à la carte menu at the hotel’s restaurant revolves around local ingredients, including seafood direct from the fishermen’s boats. The dishes are simply but confidently cooked and well presented. Being one of only a few eateries in the town, the restaurant is popular and gets very busy, so we highly recommend booking. The same menu is available in the bar which stocks more than 100 malt whiskies along with a variety of local gins.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • Islay wildlife cruise
      Islay coastline

      Islay wildlife cruise

      Islay wildlife cruise

      Spot a wild variety of birdlife, seals, goats and possibly dolphins and basking sharks on this two-hour tour off the coast of Islay. Join a small group for a great introduction to the region, with expert commentary by one of the islanders.

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    • Islay's whisky & history
      Laphroaig Distillery

      Islay's whisky & history

      Islay's whisky & history

      Explore the Isle of Islay in southwest Scotland on a full-day tour that looks into its early-Christian settlements, traditional way of life and long history of whisky making with visits to local sights, museums and distilleries.

      View details

    Isle of Islay and nearby places