Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough earns four-star Tourism NI rating

(L-R) Paul Truscott, General Manager of The Harbourview Hotel pictured with David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI and Adrian McLaughlin, Owner of The Harbourview Hotel  

The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has secured a major boost just over a year after reopening under new ownership, with Tourism Northern Ireland awarding the coastal venue a four-star grading following an extensive refurbishment programme.

The Co Antrim hotel — described as Ireland’s first “Whiskey Hotel” — was praised for its transformed bedrooms, hospitality standards and unique whiskey-themed guest experience as part of Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme.

The recognition marks a significant milestone for the historic property, formerly known as the Londonderry Arms Hotel, which changed ownership in 2024 before undergoing a major revamp aimed at repositioning the venue as a destination stay along the Antrim Coast.

Refurbishment praised after major relaunch

Tourism NI inspectors commended the “superb work completed” across all 35 bedrooms, describing them as “very smart and professionally finished”.

The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has been awarded four stars by Tourism Northern Ireland’s Quality Grading Scheme. 

The assessment also highlighted the hotel’s customer service, food offering and the atmosphere created by staff, with the team’s “sincere warmth and friendliness” singled out during the grading process.

Particular attention was given to the Harbourview’s whiskey room, which inspectors described as a “superb, unique addition to the hotel which will be greatly enjoyed by guests and passing visitors alike”.

The hotel’s branding as Ireland’s first whiskey-themed hotel has become a central part of its relaunch strategy, targeting visitors seeking tourism experiences tied to local heritage, food and drink culture along the Causeway Coastal Route.

Tourism boost for the Antrim Coast

David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI, said the grading reflected both the scale of investment in the property and the quality of the visitor experience now being offered in Carnlough.

He said:

“Tourism NI is delighted to award The Harbourview Hotel a four-star grading.

“The hotel is a fantastic part of the Antrim Coast accommodation offering due to its mix of history, location, and theme which offers visitors from near and far a unique whiskey experience during their stay.

“The staff are to be commended for their warm hospitality and giant spirited welcome.

“This grading is not only testament to the significant investment in this hotel but also reflects the dedication of the entire team. We wish them the best of luck.”

The award is expected to further strengthen the hotel’s appeal within Northern Ireland’s tourism sector at a time when visitor accommodation along the north coast continues to experience growing demand from domestic and international travellers.

“A significant achievement” for historic hotel

Paul Truscott, General Manager of The Harbourview Hotel, described the four-star recognition as a landmark moment for the business and for the building itself.

He said the grading represented “the first time this historic building has reached this standard of excellence”.

Mr Truscott added:

“This grading reflects our commitment to retaining the character and heritage of the building while creating unique hospitality experiences through innovation, thoughtful design, and exceptional service.

“As Ireland’s whiskey hotel, we are especially proud to offer distinctive guest experiences that celebrate our rich whiskey heritage in a truly unique setting.

“This accolade is a testament both to the local tradespeople who helped breathe life back into a historic building and to our dedicated team, who continually deliver outstanding service for our guests.”

The Harbourview’s transformation forms part of a wider push to strengthen tourism infrastructure across the Causeway Coast and Glens region, where hospitality businesses continue investing heavily in visitor experiences tied to local identity, heritage and food tourism.

What the Tourism NI grading means

Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme is designed to give visitors a clear indication of accommodation standards, cleanliness and service quality before booking.

The scheme is open to:

• Hotels

• Guest houses

• Bed and breakfasts

• Self-catering accommodation

• Hostels

• Guest accommodation businesses

Businesses can achieve a grading of up to five stars depending on assessment standards.

Further information about the scheme is available through the Tourist Accommodation Quality Grading Scheme.

The latest recognition places the Harbourview among a growing number of high-quality hospitality destinations along the Antrim coastline as the region continues building its reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s key tourism corridors.