Staying in Bushmills or the smaller neighbouring village of Portballintrae puts you five minutes from the Giant’s Causeway and the distillery, the closest base on this whole coast to the two attractions most people build their trip around.
The Bushmills Inn
The village’s best-known hotel, The Bushmills Inn occupies a coaching inn dating back to the 1600s, restored and reopened in 1987 after decades as a boarding house and private residence. Now a 41-room, 4-star boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant, bar, and cinema, it’s the natural choice if you want genuine historic character rather than a modern build, and its location in the village centre means the distillery and the walk along the River Bush are both on your doorstep. Book via bushmillsinn.com.
Bayview Hotel, Portballintrae
A mile from Bushmills in the small seaside village of Portballintrae, the Bayview Hotel overlooks the Atlantic with classic, superior, and junior suite rooms, close to the Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery, and Dunluce Castle. A quieter option than staying in Bushmills itself, with the beach at Portballintrae immediately outside. Book via bayviewhotelni.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth staying right by the Giant’s Causeway rather than in Portrush? If getting to the Causeway and the distillery early, before coach parties arrive, matters to you, yes. Portrush has more choice of restaurants and nightlife if that matters more.
How far is Bushmills from Portrush? About a 15-minute drive, close enough to base in either and visit the other for the day.
