Bushmills Inn, Bushmills – 4 Star

One of Ireland’s most well known, luxurious four-star hotels, The Bushmills Inn is situated in an enviable location a stone’s throw from a host of visitor attractions including Royal Portrush Golf Club, Old Bushmills Distillery, The Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle. Roaring peat fires, nooks and crannies and a secret library set the tone. In the bar, still lit by gas light, try a glass of malt from the hotel’s private cask and make sure to sample some of the finest North Antrim produce in the AA Rosette restaurant.

In the village that is home to the world’s oldest distillery, between the Giant’s Causeway and Royal Portrush Golf Club, this multi-award-winning hotel & restaurant has been outstandingly successful in recreating its origins as an old Coaching Inn and Mill House.

The hotel excels in providing a relaxing environment for couples, a small group of friends – very often a golfing party. Apart from luncheon groups (often overseas guests visiting the Giant’s Causeway) the hotel declines large parties and weddings as they can take over, rather than absorb, the inherently warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of the hotel.

Since its re-opening in 1987, the Bushmills Inn has come to epitomise the true spirit of Ulster hospitality and is regularly featured by travel writers and television presenters from all over the world.

It all started in 1608

The oldest part of the Coaching Inn, behind the Main Street frontage, could date back close in time to 1608 when ‘ Old Bushmills’ was granted the world’s first ever licence to distil whiskey. It was however in the 1820’s when the main hotel was built as part of a major redevelopment of the town.

The inn quickly became a haven for saddle-sore visitors on their way to the Giant’s Causeway – it was here they would stop to sample the whiskey that made this charming village internationally famous.

In the early 1890’s, and with the arrival of a tram link to the Causeway, the hotel fell into rapid decline. Over the next century the Inn was variously used as a private dwelling, a factory for making bikes, and even a ‘residence’ for chickens on the top floor!

Redeveloped to its former glory

It was only in 1987 that extensive development works were undertaken by the previous owner and for its imaginative restoration the hotel was honoured with the British Airways Tourism Award for Projects. Ten years later 22 additional bedrooms were incorporated in the adjoining Mill House on the banks of the River Bush and a new entrance was created alongside the river from the Dunluce Road. In 2009 a further large scale development was undertaken which brought the hotel to its current status of 41 oversized bedrooms and luxurious suites and included a new residents reception, courtyard garden, state of the art conference facilities, cinema and garden room extension to the restaurant.

In year 2000 the hotel was again honoured with the British Airways Tourism Award but this time for Best Hotel and in 2003 was voted Golf Hotel of the Year by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association. Most recently the hotel has been awarded four stars by Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the AA as well as an AA Rosette for the restaurant. In June the hotel was awarded NITB Hotel of the Year 2010.

Accommodations :

The oak-beamed Loft with its fireplace “snug” is the gateway to the Mill House on the banks of the River Bush.

Here these spacious and creatively designed guest rooms, discretely accommodating modern technology, all have their own sitting room area, small dressing room and, of course, private bathrooms.

There are two family rooms adored by children – they climb a ladder to a mezzanine area with two full sized beds. Because of the ladder it is not suitable for young children.

Smoking Policy – The hotel operates a strict ‘Non Smoking’ policy

Pets – In consideration of all potential guests no dogs or pets are permitted in guest bedrooms. Guide dogs for the blind are welcome.

Mill House Classic

Spacious rooms on the banks of the River Bush with sitting room area and small dressing room. Facilities include:

  • Telephone / TV / radio
  • Hospitality tray / hair dryer
  • Iron / ironing board / trouser press
  • Room safe / clothes line
  • Connection for modem or fax
  • Security spy hole

Mill House Deluxe

Spacious individually designed en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include:

  • Flat screen televisions
  • Slippers and bathrobes
  • Wireless internet
  • Iron
  • Ironing board
  • Personal safe
  • Hairdryer
  • Fridge
  • American socket connection in most rooms
  • Separate dressing room

Garden View Suite

Mill House Duplex Room

Split level rooms with large lounge and shower room downstairs with sleeping area and bathrooms upstairs. Facilities include:

  • Two flat screen televisions
  • Slippers and bathrobes
  • Wireless internet
  • Iron
  • Ironing board
  • Personal safe
  • Hairdryer
  • Fridge
  • American socket connection
  • Two bathrooms
  • Separate dressing room

Superior Guest Room

Junior Suite

Beautifully appointed rooms, with an approximate size of 500 square foot. Most feature four poster beds, carefully chosen furniture, spacious en-suite bathrooms with walk in shower and free standing bath. Facilities include:

  • Signature fluffy slippers and bathrobes
  • Flat screen television
  • Free high speed wireless internet
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Personal safe
  • Hairdryer
  • Fridge
  • American socket conversion
  • Dressing room with hospitality tray

Master Distillers Suite

Master Suite

Beautifully appointed room, with an approximate size of 900 square foot. Four poster bed, carefully chosen furniture, spacious en-suite bathroom with walk in shower and free standing bath, separate living area with large dining table and lounge area with a balcony overlooking the River Bush. Facilities include:

  • Signature fluffy slippers and bathrobes
  • Flat screen television
  • Free high speed wireless internet
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Personal safe
  • Hairdryer
  • Fridge
  • American socket conversion
  • Dressing room with hospitality tray

Dining :

ENJOY THE TASTE OF BUSHMILLS IN OUR AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT
After exploring the Causeway Coastline, why not pull up a chair and exercise your taste buds instead.

Each dish is crafted from traditional roots, but with a Bushmills twist. We endeavour to source local produce where possible, bringing you a true taste of Antrim. Our fish are all caught in local waters while our pheasant once roosted in the Macnaghten estate.

Sample our mature prime Ulster sirloin of beef, which has featured on the menu since the day we opened. Alternatively try our signature Dalriada cullen skink (above) – before indulging in something a little sweeter.

Then why not steal yourself away to one of the hidden nooks for a nightcap or be part of the craic and live music in the Gas bar – whilst putting the world to right over a Bushmills from our cellars private cask.

Our restaurant can offer an ideal setting for special occasions. The hotel is particularly suited to smaller groups of 40 persons or less. There are really four distinct areas of our Restaurant and depending on commitments to resident guests, the most suitable section or tables will be reserved for your party.

The sample set menus displayed will hopefully give you a flavour of the Bushmills Inn experience. For Luncheon parties, which are often for overseas groups visiting the Giants Causeway, we would tend to offer a “Taste of Ulster” while for dinner we would normally develop a menu based on our current Restaurant menu. We strive to make each party memorable and, what ever the occasion, we always print personalized full colour menu cards as a souvenir of the day.

THE GAS BAR

The Gas Bar is the Bushmills Inn Hotel’s public bar. Rich in colour and history and still lit by gas light it is the perfect place to relax and sample a glass of Bushmills’ finest malt.

Pull up a chair at the roaring peat fire or cosy up together in the ‘posh snug’ or the ‘old kitchen’ and enjoy a bar nibble from the handpicked selection on offer.

Featuring fine wines, Bushmills Inn cocktails, an extensive selection of whiskey and of course Guinness to whet your whistle.

Video of Hotel