Hotel review: This new Northern star is both golfer's paradise and chilled hideaway

Majestic views, luxe decor, wonderful staff and a special spa make this exciting new five-star a boutique destination

The exterior of Dunluce Lodge, Co Antrim

Dunluce Lodge

Our rating: 8.5/10

Location

Newly built on the site of a former home, Dunluce Lodge is neatly tucked into elevated land alongside the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Course.

Wrapped in woodland, with occasional rabbit sightings, it offers enviable views over the famous links course and out to sea. 

On fine days you can see Scotland from the hotel. 

Less than 15 minutes from the Giant's Causeway, with Dunluce Castle, Old Bushmills Distillery and The Dark Hedges from Game of Thrones close by, you are on the scenic 185km Causeway Coastal Route, connecting Belfast to Derry. 

Leaning heavily into the lodge vibe, the decor feels clubby, cosy and premium, with a soothing palette of browns, greens and greys that draw on Antrim’s coastal colours.

There’s a still-new feel to some of the reception rooms and aside from a misstep with the recessed lighting in the drawing room, it’s bright, comfy and laidback luxurious. 

Of note is the handsome bar, atmospheric dining room and wonderful art collection, curated by local Gallery 1608 in Bushmills. Featuring quality works by local artists, there’s a real sense of place conveyed through the arresting landscapes and seascapes.

• 10/10

Service

Prepare to relax the minute you arrive. 

Check-in is informal and charming, with guests offered a complimentary drink of their choice in the bar as soon as they arrive (We request a local gin and are offered Dunluce Lodge’s own blend of Volcanic Rock Gin specially made by Basalt Distillery). 

Staff are uniformly chatty, helpful and efficient with many of the front-of-house team hired locally. 

There’s no standing on ceremony and any small blips, like milk not arriving with the tea at breakfast, are easily forgiven.

• 9/10

Guest rooms

A room at Dunluce Lodge.

Each of the 35 suites is cleverly designed with everything you could possibly need for a five-star stay. 

Herringbone wooden-effect floors, dark wood paneling behind oversized headboards and beds dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets and woven herringbone throws are smart and elegant. 

There’s original art, great seating areas, good storage and loads of natural light. 

The seven rooms in the main house offer the best views – and fresh, contemporary bathrooms with huge tubs and – but those staying in entry-level Garden Suites won’t be disappointed with equally impressive rooms minus the sea views and smaller but equally luxe bathrooms – minus the bathtub. 

There’s a private house too – The Stookan – which can be hired for up to 16 guests.

• 9.5/10

In-room perks

This is a gold standard room offering: China cups and saucers in two sizes, three kinds of local beer from Lacada Brewery Co-Op, including Rathlin Gold IPA, Long Meadow Farm apple juice, local Shindigs crisps, Forest Feast snacks, crumbly homemade lemon shortbread under a glass cloche, sugar cubes, mini bottles of fresh semi-skimmed milk in the fridge, premium teas and Nespresso pods.

All are complimentary with just a fee for the champagne and wines. 

A weighty coffee table book about Royal Portrush Golf Club, binoculars in a leather case and the comfiest swivel bucket seats for gazing out to sea, mean you’ll want to spend time in these rooms.

A short bedtime story – Whispers on the Antrim Coast - on a little card, a message inviting you to try the specially selected JJ Darboven nighttime teas (and telling you they’ve filled your kettle with fresh water for you!) and a bespoke bar of chocolate with local Mussenden sea salt, elevate the turn-down service. 

Natura Bissé toiletries include outstanding shampoo and conditioner.

• 10/10

On the menu

The dining room, Bailiú, meaning Gathering, is where all meals are served. 

A gorgeous space, all dark wood, wonderful art and extremely comfy seating, it has a private dining room, with a second larger one in the wine cellar.

We are struck by the high prices on the dinner menu and, missing the bread and butter to order for £12, sat hungrily expecting bread to arrive. 

Provenance is noteworthy across all the menus and stand-out dishes include Lough Neagh eel tart and a perfect rhubarb soufflé with rosehip and elderflower sorbet. 

Several dishes felt under-seasoned but the kedgeree at breakfast was a real treat.

• 7.5/10

Activities & amenities

The relaxation room at Dunluce Lodge's spa

There’s no pool and the grounds are small, but the hotel offers a selection of guest experiences to explore the area, including a fire pit and transfers to the golf course. 

The boutique spa’s modest exterior belies a really elegant space, with stone floors, soft lighting and a small relaxation room overlooking the woods. 

In addition to four treatment rooms, there’s a small gym and men’s and women’s steam rooms. Of note is the immense attention to detail. 

Simple things, like a personal jewellery box in the treatment room and a question on the spa form about whether you’d like your therapist to talk during your treatment, show real consideration. 

After a unique Wave Massage, I enjoy a 10-minute meditation with Sens.ai headset, organic kombucha, a tropical fruit salad and dark chocolate mousse. 

This is a small spa with big ambitions and we are very impressed.

• 8/10

Checking in

The bill? B&B £450 (approx €520).

Room to improve? The lavish bathroom is let down by mediocre shower pressure.  Sourcing is well done so why not ensure all of the dinner menu’s provenance is as comprehensively declared.

Access for guests with disabilities? Yes, from the Garden Suites to public areas and the spa 

Family-friendly? Not especially. This is very much a grown-up's retreat.

Dogs welcome? Only service dogs.

EV chargers? Yes.

• Dunluce Road
• Portrush, Co Antrim, BT56 8NB
• dunlucelodge.com
• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Dunluce Lodge.