Carnlough’s Harbourview Hotel crowned Northern Ireland’s best place to stay

The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, County Antrim

Less than a year after reopening following a major redevelopment, Carnlough’s Harbourview Hotel has been named the best place to stay in Northern Ireland in the prestigious Best Places to Stay 2026 guide by The Times and The Sunday Times.

The recognition places the seafront hotel firmly among the UK’s standout hospitality destinations, with judges praising what they described as Ireland’s first whisky hotel for its “live music, bespoke tastings and pretty renovated rooms”.

According to the guide, guests can expect to enjoy “refurbished rooms”, while the experience centres around whisky culture with “200 whiskeys, an on-site whiskey shop, bespoke tastings, and a whiskey-fuelled food menu.”

From historic landmark to award-winning stay

The accolade marks a rapid rise for the Carnlough hotel, which only began welcoming overnight guests again in May 2025 following a £1.6 million redevelopment.

Formerly known as The Londonderry Arms, the historic country house hotel was acquired in summer 2024 by a consortium headed by hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master Irish whiskey distiller Darryl McNally and entrepreneur Carl Harrison.

Over the following year, the team completed an extensive yet sensitive restoration of the landmark property on the Causeway Coastal Route, transforming it into Ireland’s first “whiskey hotel” while preserving much of its historic character.

Built in 1848 by Frances Anne Vane Tempest and once owned by Sir Winston Churchill, the property retains a number of original features including open fires and terrazzo flooring, alongside newly refurbished public spaces and bedrooms.

The redevelopment created 45 new jobs and introduced a fully refreshed bar, lounge and restaurant designed to blend the building’s heritage with modern Irish hospitality.

Each of the hotel’s 35 bedrooms has been redecorated and revamped, offering a mix of single, double, family rooms and suites focused on comfort and contemporary style.

A whisky-led experience

Central to the Harbourview’s identity is its whisky offering — a reflection of the ownership team’s background in the Irish whiskey industry.

The hotel bar features a collection of more than 300 whiskeys alongside classic cocktails and curated tasting flights designed to attract the growing market for whiskey tourism across Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the hotel’s opening last year, co-owner Adrian McLaughlin, a Ballymena native with extensive experience in the hospitality sector, said the redevelopment aimed to honour the building’s legacy while creating something distinctive.

“We are excited that our vision for this historic hotel will soon become a reality.

“From the outset, we have endeavoured to build on the legacy of this landmark building, which has been at the cornerstone of the local community for generations.

“The people of Carnlough and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms; and it’s been heartening to see the incredibly positive response from the local community in recent months.

“We’ve poured our passion for Irish whiskey into the development of our unique food and beverage offerings and exciting events programmes. We look forward to toasting the opening of Ireland’s first whiskey hotel, with our first guests in the weeks and months ahead.”

Part of the UK’s most influential hotel guide

The recognition comes as part of The Times and The Sunday Times annual Best Places to Stay list, which highlights 50 standout hotels across the United Kingdom.

The guide is divided into ten regions — London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland — with travel writers visiting destinations from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast and rural countryside inns.

Alongside the regional selections, the guide also names winners across five categories: Foodie, Family-friendly, Great value, Grown-up getaway, and Pubs with rooms.

Claire Irvin, Head of Travel of The Times and The Sunday Times, said the guide arrives at a time when travellers are increasingly focused on value and meaningful experiences.

“The highly anticipated unveiling of this year’s Best Places To Stay awards arrives like a breath of much-needed fresh air. It lands amid the tremors of global uncertainty and a winter that has felt uniquely, relentlessly grey. This list is as celebratory as the judging was uncompromising; our criteria remain fixed, even as our readers’ focus on genuine value sharpens.

“And while what constitutes ‘affordable’ and ‘worth it’ is subjective, in a world of rising costs, we know that every break must do more than simply tempt you - it must unequivocally earn its place on your calendar. But it helps that 22 out of the 50 come in at or under £200.

“Our readers are fortunate enough to enjoy multiple escapes a year, yet they are savvy enough to know that UK hospitality is becoming an increasingly expensive indulgence. When,even in turbulent times, international destinations are so easily reached, home-grown hotels have to fight harder for your attention.

“Fortunately, they are meeting that challenge with creativity, ingenuity, passion and brilliance. While the rates vary, every entry shares a singular commitment to the excellence that your time - and your investment - demands.”

Jenny Coad, Associate Travel Editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, added:

“It’s been an exciting year for UK hotel openings - London continues to lead the charge with such luxury offerings as The Newman and Six Senses. But Scotland is thriving too - so much so it’s the home of our winner, Ardbeg House on Islay - though all five of the Scottish hotels in the list are gorgeous.

“The days of boring beige interiors are behind us too. And in their place is character and wonder - take the room with runaway knitted crabs at Ardbeg House or the lino prints of legendary Fitzrovians at the Newman. Hoteliers are properly investing in art and it shows. The result is a raft of uplifting and inspiring places to stay”.

Lizzie Frainier, Associate Travel Editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, said countryside hotels across the UK are increasingly focusing on experiences that help guests unwind.

“I’ve loved seeing how countryside hotels across the UK are upping their game this year offering experiences that will really help you to unwind. The addition of saunas to the offering is a clear trend, from the glorious wood-fired one with valley views at family-run B&B Glebe House in Devon to another overlooking the lake at new hotel-slash-members’ club Crafted at Powdermills in East Sussex.

“Fowlsecombe Farm in Devon also stood out for their all-inclusive rates, which mean you can really relax into the stay whether that means playing a boardgame by the fire, taking part in a yoga class in the greenhouse, or tucking into the four-course seasonal menu (with many ingredients sourced from their own farm) at dinner.”

For Carnlough, the Harbourview Hotel’s recognition in the national guide marks a striking moment for a historic property that has quickly re-established itself as one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive places to stay.

At a glance

• Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has been named the best place to stay in Northern Ireland in the Times and Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2026 guide.

• Judges praised the hotel’s live music, whisky tastings and newly renovated rooms.

• The property reopened in May 2025 following a £1.6 million redevelopment.

• Formerly the Londonderry Arms, the historic hotel was built in 1848 and was once owned by Sir Winston Churchill.

• The redevelopment created 45 jobs and introduced refurbished public spaces and 35 updated bedrooms.

• The hotel promotes itself as Ireland’s first whisky hotel, with a bar featuring more than 300 whiskies and curated tasting experiences.

• The UK guide highlights 50 standout hotels across ten regions and will be published online on 9 March and in print on 15 March.