The Best Hotels in Portrush

Portrush Hotels

Set in the rolling green plains of Northern Ireland, Portrush is a small seaside resort town that proffers from wide sandy beaches, calm tranquil streets and a distinct traditional charm. Central Portrush - situated on a tree-lined mile-long peninsula - houses dozens of historic buildings that showcase resplendent Victorian architecture. Invigorating geological and historical sights speckle Portrush’s surrounding countryside, but there’s plenty of excitement in the centre - from traditional timbered taverns to quaint independent museums - and even an amusement park for the kids.

Things to see

Begin your rejuvenating Portrush morning by paying a visit to nearby Dunluce Castle, which sits atop a mossy deep-green crag that overlooks the shimmering ocean waters. The castle’s towering war-battered walls and arching cathedral-like windows tell of its remarkable history as an enviable fortress that was eventually conquered by the British in the 16th century. After, stop for a spot of lunch alongside Causeway Road - where locally run seaside cafés serve hearty meals and tempting cakes - before visiting the Giant’s Causeway, one of Britain’s most spectacular natural formations. Huge columns of layered basalt rise and fall along a stretch of sea-sprayed coast, from where - on a clear day - you can see all the way to Scotland. As the afternoon winds down, take the children along to Portrush’s neon-washed amusement park for endless laughs and entertainment, where you’re sure to discover your inner child.

Hotels in Portrush

Portrush boasts a varied range of accommodation, beginning with homely comfort and ending at lavish luxury. For a convenient and affordable stay, central Portrush hotels provide stellar 3-star service and large rooms that come with cosy queen-size beds, en-suites and complimentary WiFi. Treat yourself by staying at one of the sublime 4 or 5-star hotels or guesthouses that speckle the surrounding Portrush area, which offer incomparably welcoming hosts that will tend to your every need. For a more traditional holiday at a modest price, Portrush’s many B&Bs - surrounded by green rocky countryside - are ideal.

Where to stay

Stay in central Portrush - along the narrow peninsular that juts out into the calm ocean waters - for a tranquil urban holiday adjacent to soft sands and infused with a pleasant nightlife of fine-dining seafood restaurants and fire-lit taverns. For a slightly more affordable holiday - but with easy access to all of Portrush’s uncrowded beaches - stay south of the centre, just off the peninsular. What this area lacks in seafront views, it makes up for with its many verdant green spaces. For a haven-like holiday set in an old-world riverside village, stay in nearby Bushmills.

How to get to Portrush

The nearest airport to Portrush is Belfast International, which provides year-round regular flights throughout the UK, Europe, and across the Atlantic. Gently glide into the airport, and hop on a shuttle bus to Belfast. From there, catch an hour-long train to Coleraine. At Coleraine, trains and buses depart every hour for Portrush, and terminate in the town centre, a mere 5 minute walk from the glorious golden beachfront. Alternatively, Belfast provides dozens of reliable car rental services. Rent a car and race to Portrush in an hour, and you’ll also have complete freedom to explore the surrounding countryside.