Kaldewei has supplied baths and shower trays for the refurbishment of Ardbeg House, a 12-bedroom boutique hotel on the Isle of Islay that reopened in autumn 2025 following a multi-million-pound transformation.
Formerly The Islay Hotel, the property has been redesigned in collaboration with Russell Sage Studio to create an immersive hospitality destination inspired by Islay’s landscape, folklore and the 200-year heritage of the Ardbeg Distillery.
Specified throughout the guest bathrooms, Kaldewei’s steel enamel baths and shower trays were selected for their combination of architectural design, durability and sustainability, supporting the project’s long-term operational and environmental objectives.
Design inspired by Islay
Working with more than 20 Scottish artisans, Russell Sage Studio has created interiors that celebrate the island’s history and character. Each of the 12 guest rooms draws on a different local narrative, referencing themes including smugglers, sea creatures, ancient legends and Islay’s dramatic coastline.
Bespoke features include a reception installation created from a retired whisky still and a boat-shaped chandelier incorporating green Ardbeg bottles, while natural materials and layered textures reflect the island’s rugged landscape. This design language extends into the bathrooms, where the specification was intended to complement the hotel’s distinctive interiors without compromising performance.
Bathroom specification
The project required bathroom products capable of meeting the demands of a premium hospitality environment while maintaining a consistent design aesthetic across individually themed guest rooms.
Kaldewei’s steel enamel baths and shower trays were specified for their clean-lined appearance, hard-wearing surface and ease of maintenance. Manufactured from recyclable steel enamel, the products also aligned with the sustainability ambitions of the refurbishment.
In the marble bathrooms, baths and shower trays in warm grey and matt black finishes were chosen to integrate with the varied interior schemes while providing a durable solution suited to high guest occupancy.
Adam Teal, country manager at Kaldewei UK, said: “Being part of the Ardbeg House project is a genuine privilege for Kaldewei. Seeing our steel enamel baths and showers integrated into such imaginative interiors is incredibly rewarding. Ardbeg House sets a new benchmark for experiential hospitality, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping the guest experience.”
Designed as an extension of each bedroom’s individual story, the bathrooms combine sculptural forms with generous bathing and showering spaces to create a restorative environment for guests visiting the island.
A new benchmark for design-led whisky tourism
Ardbeg House is set to become a flagship destination for all travellers, whether new to whisky or a seasoned expert, offering guests a full Ardbeg Distillery tour with every stay, a nightly “Whisky Hour,” access to two exclusive bottlings, and dining spaces that celebrate modern Scottish cuisine — including a courtyard grill inspired by Ardbeg’s signature smoky character.
Alongside accommodation, Ardbeg House offers distillery experiences, whisky tastings and dining concepts centred on Scottish produce, positioning the hotel as a destination for whisky tourism.
The project demonstrates how carefully specified bathroom products can contribute to the wider design narrative of a hospitality scheme, while meeting the durability, maintenance and sustainability requirements expected within boutique hotel environments.
