Situated in the sleepy little village of the same name and within a stone’s throw of the famous whiskey distillery, the four-star Bushmills Inn hotel is a throwback to the old coaching Inns of the 15th century, and it is thought that it first opened its doors around the same time as the distillery in about 1608. The property is steeped in history and is one of the most decorated properties in Ireland in terms of awards and accolades. Several inglenook open turf fires burn year-round to provide a beautiful ambiance throughout the public areas, the exposed whitewashed brickwork, wooden beams, and rugged slate floors all offer a glimpse of the old days while providing the hotel with its very unique appearance and atmosphere.
The Bushmills Inn has become synonymous with luxury and is just a short ride from the Royal Portrush Golf Club as well as The Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and many of the other sights along the Causeway Coast. In the 1890s with the opening of a tram link to the Giant’s Causeway, the hotel fell into decline for many years, and it wasn’t until around 1987 when extensive redevelopment works were undertaken that it reopened as a hotel. Twenty-two additional rooms were added ten years later, and by 2009 it held 41. The property also encompasses a beautiful award-winning bar and restaurant and a private cinema room.
The 41 bedrooms are comprised of a variety of room types including the Master Distillers Suite, Garden View Suite, Tower Suite, Superior, and Mill House Rooms. The premier room in-house, the Master Distiller’s Suite has a beautiful four-poster bed, Ralph Lauren fabrics, separate living area, and all modern accessories as well as some lovely views across the North Antrim countryside and the nearby River Bush, the water source for the distillery.
The Garden View Suites are unique split-level rooms that are ideal for golf groups. Similar to the rest of the accommodations in-house the soft fabrics and furnishings are of superior quality, and there is ample space for sharing, with a bedroom on the upper level and beautiful seating area on the lower.
The restaurant in the Bushmills Inn is a AA Rosette Award winning eatery with a fantastic range of local dishes regularly on offer. Whether it be the beer-battered fillet of haddock or the stout braised ox cheek, you can be assured that all of the ingredients have been locally sourced. The restaurant is situated in the original stables and wine cellars, providing guests with a rare glimpse of the past. Once you have finished your meal, it would be wise to adjourn to the ‘Gas Bar,’ which is still to this day, lit by gas. It would be rare not to find some traditional musicians playing in the corner of the bar, and with the peat fire blazing, a fabulous atmosphere and a great pint of Guinness or local glass of Bushmills awaits.
For private events, and even for a Sunday night final round of the Major’s, the ‘Still Room Cinema’ can be utilized for a movie showing or that exceptional sports event. Adorned with traditional red velvet cinema seats, this is a fabulous space to relax and enjoy that special event.The Bushmills Inn is the perfect base when exploring Royal Portrush, Portstewart, and Castlerock on the North Antrim coast.