North Coast luxury hideaway handcrafted cabins awarded five-star Tourism NI grading
(L-R) Steven Kane, Senior Quality and Standards Advisor at Tourism NI with Lucy and Rob Oates, owners of The Botháns.
Tuesday 3 November 2026
A secluded mountain retreat overlooking the North Coast has earned one of Northern Ireland tourism’s highest accolades, with The Botháns near Macosquin awarded a prestigious five-star grading by Tourism NI.
Set across 13 acres within Binevenagh’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the luxury hideaway has been recognised for its exceptional rural setting, carefully designed accommodation and outstanding commitment to guest hospitality.
Owned by Rob and Lucy Oates, The Botháns features two individually designed, handcrafted cabins offering visitors an opportunity to escape into the surrounding landscape while enjoying high-end comforts.
Two distinctive cabins in a spectacular setting
The retreat offers two different experiences, each designed to make the most of its natural surroundings.
Lir View boasts panoramic views across the North Atlantic, while The Hideaway sits beside The Botháns lake, providing a more secluded waterside escape.
Both cabins feature private outdoor baths, firepits and high-quality outdoor furniture, allowing guests to enjoy the landscape beyond the accommodation itself.
The Botháns has been awarded five stars by the Tourism NI Quality Grading Scheme.
Tourism NI assessors described the setting as “exceptional” and the overall experience as “serene and relaxing”, highlighting the attention to detail throughout the development.
Exceptional standards recognised by Tourism NI
The five-star assessment praised the outdoor amenities as “outstanding”, while the beautifully maintained cabin exteriors and carefully considered lighting were also recognised for creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Steven Kane, Senior Quality and Standards Advisor at Tourism NI, said:
“Achieving five stars is a fantastic achievement for The Botháns and a testament to the exceptional quality and hospitality on offer.
“Nestled in a stunning rural setting, these beautifully expertly crafted cabins combine stylish design, outstanding facilities and a genuine commitment to guest comfort.
“The attention to detail throughout, from the interiors to the unique outdoor experiences, creates a truly memorable stay and showcases the very best of Northern Ireland’s tourism offering.”
A family vision brought to life
For owners Rob and Lucy Oates, the recognition marks an important milestone in their ambition to create a peaceful retreat where visitors can disconnect from everyday pressures and enjoy the Causeway Coast landscape.
Lucy said:
“We are incredibly honoured to be awarded a five-star grading from Tourism NI for The Botháns. We wanted to create somewhere guests can have the time and space to relax, surrounded by the stunning Causeway Coast landscape.
“Each cabin was designed as a real opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Every detail has been intentional, and wherever possible, we’ve worked with local businesses. It’s fantastic that Tourism NI have recognised that vision and agree that we’ve created something really special.”
The couple also wanted to ensure their accommodation appealed to families, rather than focusing exclusively on couples seeking a luxury getaway.
One of the cabins includes a bespoke three-bed bunkroom, designed to accommodate family adventures and opportunities for different generations to spend time together.
Lucy explained:
“As parents ourselves, we also wanted to ensure families could enjoy a luxury escape in nature too. That’s why we built our family cabin with its bespoke three-bed bunkroom. It’s been wonderful to see families, sometimes several generations, creating treasured memories on cabin adventure together.
“Thank you to the Tourism NI Quality Standards team, who have provided us with support, guidance and insight since we launched. It’s helped us to achieve this industry accolade.”
What the five-star grading means for visitors
Tourism NI’s Quality Grading Scheme provides an independent assessment of accommodation standards, helping visitors understand the quality of facilities, service and cleanliness they can expect when booking a stay.
The scheme covers a range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, hostels and other guest accommodation, with five stars representing the highest available grading.
For The Botháns, the award provides independent recognition of the experience Rob and Lucy have developed, while adding another five-star accommodation offering to the North Coast’s tourism sector.
It also highlights how smaller, independently operated retreats can achieve the highest tourism standards while drawing on the natural landscape and local businesses that make the Causeway Coast a distinctive destination.
