Set in spacious grounds just outside Ballycastle, with sea views across the town, this four-star eco hotel opened in 2019 and, since then, owner Denis McHenry and family have continued to develop it to create a unique eco-destination with wide appeal.
The hotel's exceptional eco credentials include a wind turbine, solar panels and heat exchange units that provide power and heating water, while systems are designed to minimise energy consumption and a borehole provides bottled water - all of which make for a very comfortable stay as well as a carbon-negative contribution to the environment. Unusually, bedroom radiators are individually controlled, and LED lighting everywhere has motion sensors and controls. CO2 sensors monitor the quality of the air. And hotel staff can monitor the entire building’s energy efficiency through a centralised dashboard. Eco lodges are surrounded by woodland trees and are off-grid – they use renewable energy form the hotel’s wind and solar supply. These are an attractive alternative to the scandi-chic rooms in the hotel. The outdoor sauna and hot tubs are probably the spa’s main attractions- guests can relax while taking in the beauty of the local scenery and the magnificent views across to Rathlin Island - and you might also like to try a seaweed bath, used for generations for the care and repair of the skin.
In 2022 the McGarrity family (Joann and Nigel with their son and daughter, Carl and Emma, formerly of famed The Red Door Tea Room, Ballintoy) brought their collective expertise to the hotel’s management, bringing the food offering up several notches. Dining with a view is a big part of the hotel’s appeal. The Atlantic view from the main Salthouse Bar & Restaurant's large picture windows would b ehard toi beat (Rathlin is the nearby star, but you may even catch a glimpse of Scotland on a good day) and the promise of the freshest of local foods is sure to whet the appetite. Fresh fish from the nearby pier features strongly on both the lunch and dinner menus – pan-fried halibut tipped with crispy potatoes or Parmesan herb crusted plaice with a caper and white wine sauce while the seafood platter includes pan-roasted scallops, crispy lemon pepper squid, marinated prawns and oven-baked cod. Or choose between local meats, such as braised lamb shank and fillet of beef, or perhaps vegetarian options like pea and spinach cannelloni. Vegans are very well looked after, with a separate menu offered. There is also a children’s menu, offering crowd pleasers - probably goujons, sausages and burgers, or pasta carbonara for non-meat eaters.The newer (and very aptly named) Lookout Bar and Restaurant opened in 2023, offering a smart-casual alternative to the main restaurant. Leaning towards Italy, it features authentic stone-baked pizza alongside pasta while always favouring local suppliers - and all with the backdrop of that amazing view.
Hotel breakfasts often disappoint, but The Salthouse stands out with a simple and faultless offering. Start with a tiered selection of continental items - pastries, granola and fruit pots and preserves - with your choice of juice, tea/coffee and toast brought straight to your table. While concise, the hot food selection is delicious and covers everything from the full fry-up (with a veggie option available) and customisable omelettes to fluffy pancakes bathed in syrup, for those who like a sweet start to the day.
