Positioned beneath the towering cliffs of Dunluce and alongside the fourth fairway of the world-renowned Royal Portrush Golf Membership (residence to this yr’s 153rd Open), the newly developed Dunluce Lodge opened its doorways in April and is the Causeway Coast’s solely five-star resort. Providing distinctive hospitality amidst a few of the most stunning surroundings that Northern Eire has to supply. The Luxurious Editor was invited to Bushmills Distillery to have fun the launch of their oldest ever single malt the 46-12 months-Outdated ‘Secrets and techniques of The River Bush’, with Dunluce Lodge as our luxurious base for this spirited journey. Learn on to find extra.
Background and Idea
Envisioned by Jonathan Harper and Robert Covington Jr of Hyperlinks Assortment, who had been impressed by their go to to Portrush through the 148th Open in 2019. Dunluce Lodge is an unique retreat providing 35 luxurious suites, together with eight inside The Stookan, a non-public residence designed for bigger teams. It encompasses a high-quality eating restaurant serving each à la carte and tasting menus, complemented by a wine vault specialising in curated pairings and whiskey tastings together with a non-public eating area. Count on uninterrupted views of the fourth fairway and inexperienced at Royal Portrush, with a placing inexperienced on-site and complimentary transfers to close by golf golf equipment in addition to an on-site spa for that post-round wind-down or restorative remedy after a day on the hyperlinks.
Location
Positioned simply outdoors the well-known coastal city of Portrush the realm is residence to the Large’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and the backdrop for a few of the planet’s greatest silver display screen productions comparable to Recreation of Thrones, the Causeway Coast is among the most stunning stretches of shoreline anyplace on this planet. Getting there couldn’t be less complicated; it’s a brief 1.15-hour drive from Belfast which is serviced by each its Worldwide Airport, together with George Greatest Belfast Metropolis Airport, and if you could be there much more promptly or privately, you’ll be able to constitution a helicopter to the helipad in Bushmills city.
Bushmills
It’s all due to Bushmills Distillery that The Luxurious Editor was one of many first friends to expertise the Dunluce Lodge, which opened formally to the general public the day after we stayed. There are two issues I’m most enthusiastic about, one is motels and the opposite is whisk(e)y, so a day at Bushmills Distillery (which is only a brief 15-minute drive from the property) with Grasp Blender Alex Thomas and her crew (learn my interview with Alex right here) is a dream come true.
We spent the day exploring the unique Bushmills Distillery earlier than visiting the spectacular new Causeway Distillery, which has greater than doubled Bushmills manufacturing capability from 5 million to eleven million litres per yr. Grasp Blender Alex Thomas guided us by way of a tasting of each the core vary and the Status Assortment, providing perception into the layers of workmanship behind every expression.
We additionally had the prospect to satisfy the Coopers and witness their conventional barrel-making methods first-hand, a testomony to the distillery’s dedication to heritage and high quality. The day concluded in spectacular style with a helicopter flight tracing the trail of the River Bush, bringing the story of this celebrated whiskey full circle.
We returned to the resort for a night of discovery with Grasp Blender Alex Thomas and Model Ambassador Mark McConville, delving into the outstanding story behind the oldest Irish single malt ever launched the Bushmills 46 12 months Outdated ‘Secrets and techniques of the River Bush’. A real celebration of workmanship, legacy, and historical past.
Rooms and Suites
An all-suite resort with visitor quarters situated inside the principle resort constructing and across the central courtyard space. Every suite is styled to replicate its environment, from backyard and woodland views to countryside and coastal outlooks and at 279 sq ft they’re beneficiant in ground area too. Backyard Suites draw inspiration from the landscaped grounds, providing a relaxing, nature-led aesthetic. Courtyard Suites are organized across the lodge’s central courtyard, whereas Causeway Suites take within the rugged great thing about the close by shoreline and Portrush Suites supply sweeping views throughout open countryside.
All suites include 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, Nespresso espresso machines, satellite tv for pc TV with Chromecast, marble completed rest room with underfloor heating, luxurious bathrobes, slippers, a stocked mini larder with native treats, high-end toiletries and a garments steamer.
The Dunluce Suite and The Stookan
The Dunluce Suite is the most important at 505 sq ft, providing expansive dwelling area and panoramic golf course views, whereas The Stookan, separate from the resort, presents a group of eight suites ideally suited for personal group stays.
My Suite Throughout My Keep
Throughout my keep, I stayed in room 207, a Courtyard Suite, which is situated on the bottom ground to the left of the reception if you’re going through out into the courtyard. These suites are a couple of steps away from the principle resort however supply enhanced privateness through their very own entrance.
The room interiors observe a recent nation model, with pure oak flooring, tailor-made comfortable furnishings, and a impartial palette with heritage blue and sage inexperienced accents. Twin-aspect home windows on both facet of the room bathe the area in pure gentle. To the left as you enter, a king-size mattress sits towards a panelled oak headboard wall, flanked by elegant bedside tables and an ottoman bench on the foot of the mattress. To the precise, a big junior suite model sitting space with a settee complemented by a espresso desk and writing desk, and reverse a big wardrobe, with protected, steamer and hairdryer.
Housed in a darkish wooden unit with a marble high, the facilities station features a Nespresso machine alongside an identical Dualit kettle and a number of espresso pods, an ice bucket, wine glasses and bone china espresso/tea and espresso cups and saucers in addition to glass domes enclosing sugar and artisan tea baggage. A well-stocked mini-fridge sits beneath, that includes a group of native craft beers, Bollinger Champagne, Sancerre white wine, and natural apple juice, alongside a number of comfortable drinks and my private seal of approval – mini bottles of recent milk for tea and low.
A second drawer showcases a number of snacks, together with Shindigs Irish crisps, connoisseur nuts, and artisan chocolate, complemented by a full-sized bottle of Chianti Classico and crystal-cut highball glasses.
Throughout the rest room, a spacious marble-topped self-importance is flanked by polished chrome wall sconces and comfortable under-lighting that robotically comes on, serving to to information you to and from the toilet at evening with out fumbling for gentle switches. The bathe space is clad in large-format marble tiles alongside a rainfall showerhead, paired with full-sized Spanish Natura Bissé physique wash, shampoo and conditioner.
Bar
The bar within the coronary heart of the resort affords a club-style retreat ideally suited after a day of {golfing} with darkish wooden panelling, coffered ceiling, and herringbone parquet flooring. On one facet leather-based banquettes and tartan upholstered armchairs are organized round low tables whereas the bar itself is a focus, with its backlit cupboard housing a group of premium spirits and whiskeys.
Nods to the realm’s {golfing} heritage are seen all through, from the fanned show of classic golf golf equipment on both facet of the bar entrance to the Signature cocktail menu impressed by legendary figures and iconic holes in Irish golf historical past. French doorways lead out to a terrace searching to Royal Portrush Course and to the left a lounge area gives additional seating with {golfing} TV on so that you can take pleasure in.
The Restaurant
Bailiú, named after the Scots/Irish Gaelic phrase for ‘gathering’ is the resort’s restaurant, championing the area’s wealthy pure larder utilizing regionally sourced, seasonal substances and dealing carefully with artisan producers throughout the realm. An intimate eating ambiance designed for lingering and dialog, framed by deep olive-green partitions, a roaring marble-framed fire to at least one facet, button-tufted banquettes to the opposite and above glamorous geometric Artwork Deco pendant chandeliers.
With a robust emphasis on native seafood, recreation, and sustainably reared meats. Starters embody Lough Neagh eel, North Coast crab, Lisdergan beef tartare, and Toons Bridge burrata with truffle honey. Mains function flax-fed sirloin, Plumbrige venison, Manor Farm rooster, and North Coast scallops, halibut, and Ewing’s salmon. For starters, I opted for the North Coast Crab Tain, adopted by the Flax-fed Sirloin and completed with the Chocolate and Salted Caramel Delice.
Spa
Positioned away from the principle resort constructing the spa affords a spread of remedies utilizing natural, regionally sourced substances which harness the therapeutic powers of the ocean. Remedies embody invigorating seaweed wraps and bespoke massages tailor-made to your particular person wants.
Golf
Moments away from Royal Portrush Golf Membership, friends even have quick access to a number of different world-class programs, together with Portstewart and Castlerock (each inside 6 miles), in addition to Royal County Down, Ballyliffin, Ardglass, and St Patrick’s at Rosapenna, all recognized for his or her distinctive hyperlinks layouts and gorgeous coastal surroundings. Throughout the resort, you will discover a 9-hole placing inexperienced designed by main golf architect Martin Ebert, and complimentary transfers to Royal Portrush and Portstewart can be found for all friends.
Ultimate Ideas
Dunluce Lodge is an distinctive addition to Northern Eire’s luxurious resort portfolio, bringing an ultra-luxury expertise to the Causeway Coast. Whether or not you’re right here for a spherical at Royal Portrush, a tasting at Bushmills, or to discover the cinematic great thing about the shoreline, Dunluce Lodge and the realm are assured to go away a long-lasting impression.
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