1) Accommodation is going upmarket
Dunluce Lodge is a stunning 35-suite property that opened this February, taking the title of the Causeway Coast’s first five-star resort.
Occupying a prime site beneath the cliffs of Dunluce and overlooking the fourth hole of the world-renowned Royal Portrush Golf Course (host to this year’s British Open), the property oozes understated style, with eight classes of suite, while for families and bigger groups The Stookan is a secluded annex that sleeps up to 16 guests.
My north coast crab starter followed by a main of Lisdergan beef fillet proved how well the restaurant specialises in locally sourced dishes, and matched well with my spectacular Atlantic Ocean view. Add to the mix a characterful bar offering a range of whiskies from the nearby Bushmills distillery plus a bijou spa and beautiful outdoor areas, and Dunluce Lodge is the obvious recommendation for luxury clients (rooms here start from £299 per night with breakfast).
My second stay was the recently refurbished Portrush Adelphi, more in the centre of town, just a few minutes’ stroll away from the main street and harbour. Part of the Marine and Lawn portfolio, it joins the brand’s five other properties across Scotland and Northern Ireland, all set near iconic golf courses.
The 34 rooms here are decorated with tartan and deep green and blue hues, while maritime artefacts and leather furniture complete the classic, old-world look. The public areas have also been refreshed – the Red Sail Room is the hub of the hotel, where guests can enjoy a drink in the super-cosy bar before moving into the a la carte restaurant for a choice of locally sourced dishes (rooms here start from £245 per night, including full Irish breakfast).
2) It’s naturally stunning
A winding eight-mile road up to Gortmore viewpoint led me to the first of many jaw-dropping moments in this incredibly beautiful region. On a clear day, the spectacular vista extends to Donegal to the west and the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura to the north. Tell clients to pack for every eventuality, though – howling winds and driving rain turned to clear skies and baking sunshine within 40 minutes!
Other highlights included a walk along the pristine sands of Portstewart Strand, a two-mile stretch of beach banked by huge dunes; the spectacular cliff-edge Fair Head with views out to Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited island; the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 100 feet above the crashing waves of the Atlantic; and, of course, the hexagonal basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway. It’s good to know the protocol has changed post-Covid at this Unesco World Heritage site, where tourist arrivals (90% of which are from outside the UK) have been staggered to avoid overcrowding and lengthy queues.
3) There’s so much on the menu
New and reimagined luxury hotels such as Dunluce Lodge and Portrush Adelphi are bringing fine dining to Portrush and beyond, but there’s a huge choice of restaurants in the area to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fresh fish is the focus at Shanty, which was formerly Portrush’s lifeboat station, while the Harbour Bistro (next door to the town’s iconic Harbour Bar) serves up hearty chicken and steak dishes.
At the Bushmills Inn, a four-star hotel and restaurant, there is a range of traditional fare alongside plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices, while a visit to the town wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Bushmills Distillery. The excellent hour-long, entry-level tour at the world’s oldest licensed distillery (founded in 1608) costs just £15 and finishes at the bar where guests can choose a shot of one of the famous malt whiskies produced here.
Find of the trip for me, though, was Harry’s Shack, nestled under the cliffs at the entrance to Portstewart Strand. The unassuming, beach-boho exterior belies a sophisticated menu with amazing beach views – the selection of small plates is impressive, with the cod and nduja arancini a highlight.
4) Find a fairway to heaven
For golfers, it doesn’t get much better than Portrush and the Causeway Coastal Route. This year’s British Open venue, Royal Portrush Golf Club, is the jewel in the crown, but there are plenty more top-quality courses in the area – including Portstewart, Castlerock, Ballycastle and Rathmore – that would draw affluent clients looking to tick off boxes on their bucket list.
For courses where it may be harder to secure a tee-off time, look to the concierge teams at properties such as Dunluce Lodge and Portrush Adelphi to use their contacts to help with arrangements.
5) It’s alive with history
The Causeway Coastal Route runs 120 miles from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry, with a further 256 miles of scenic loops, and it’s hard to drive further than 10 minutes along it without seeing a sign for a site of historical significance.
From the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Dunluce Castle to the iconic Mussenden Temple, perched on a 120ft cliff top and one of the most photographed places in Ireland, there are countless options to satisfy history buffs.
Thirsty travellers can pop in for a Guinness at an authentic Irish pub in one of the many pretty towns along the way, including Ballycastle, while “set jetters” should take the winding road down to Ballintoy village and harbour, the location for scenes from the blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones.
