North Coast hotel achieves prestigious five-star Tourism NI rating

(L-R) David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI pictured with Stephen Meldrum, General Manager of Dunluce Lodge, which has been awarded five stars by Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme

A newly opened luxury hotel on Northern Ireland’s iconic North Coast has been awarded the highest possible grading by Tourism Northern Ireland.

Dunluce Lodge, located in Portrush and overlooking the fourth fairway at Royal Portrush Golf Club, has officially been awarded a five-star rating under Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme.

The £16.5 million development represents a significant first-time investment in the region by US-based owners and investors, Links Collection Capital. Since opening its doors in February, Dunluce Lodge has been operated by Valor Hospitality – a global hospitality group working in Northern Ireland for the first time.

The five-star award is a major accolade for the 35-suite hotel, which has been praised for its exceptional standards.

Bedroom: Dunluce Lodge in Portrush has been awarded five stars by Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme  

Tourism NI’s inspection found the bedrooms to be spacious and finished to an exemplary level, with the restaurant’s design and ambiance also receiving high marks.

Staff were commended for being “friendly and courteous,” with hospitality and service standards described as outstanding.

David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI, said:

“Tourism NI is delighted to award Dunluce Lodge a five-star accommodation grading.

This is a thoroughly well-deserved award, testament to the exceptionally high-quality facilities and services on offer to guests.

“I have no doubt the bespoke hospitality experiences this hotel offers will increase Northern Ireland’s popularity as a destination for the lucrative golf and luxury segments of the tourism market.”

(L-R) David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI pictured with Stephen Meldrum, General Manager of Dunluce Lodge, which has been awarded five stars by Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme

General Manager of Dunluce Lodge, Stephen Meldrum, also welcomed the recognition:

“We are thrilled that Dunluce Lodge has been awarded five stars by Tourism Northern Ireland.

“From the very beginning our intention has been to provide a new level of genuine Irish hospitality on the Causeway Coast and the awarding of five-star status is testament to the exceptional service we provide for our guests in luxurious surroundings.

“Looking ahead, we want to be constantly evolving and setting new standards. We already have exciting plans to further develop our spa offering and complement our packages with a series of wellness experiences. This is just the beginning for Dunluce Lodge.”

The Tourism NI Quality Grading Scheme offers a trusted benchmark for accommodation standards across Northern Ireland. Open to a range of providers including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering properties and hostels, the scheme assesses quality across accommodation, service and cleanliness, grading from one to five stars.

For visitors seeking top-tier luxury accommodation near one of the world’s most prestigious golf courses, Dunluce Lodge now stands proudly among the best on offer across the island.