Blackrock House is Portrush’s first five-star bed and breakfast, offering boutique B&B accommodation that fuses modern style with authentic coastal living. Guests can enjoy sweeping views across sandy beaches, windswept headlands and the Atlantic Ocean, from a stunning Edwardian property which dates from 1902.
Portrush is Northern Ireland’s premier seaside destination. Perfectly situated on the Causeway Coastal Route, it is just minutes from the West Bay blue flag beach for stand up paddle boarding, surfing and sea fishing. Blackrock is also just over 1 mile to the Royal Portrush Golf Club, host to The Open championships coming up in 2019. UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery – the worlds oldest licensed whiskey distillery are all nearby.
Located in the middle of seven filming locations for the HBO hit series – Game Of Thrones, Blackrock is perfect if you fancy a trip to Dragonstone, Dorne, The Stormlands, Pyke or The Kings Road! Blackrock is also just two minutes from Dhu Varren train stop, which takes you on one of the worlds most scenic coastal train journeys along the north coast to Derry/Londonderry featured in Michel Portillo’s Great Rail Journeys. For motorbike fans the North West 200 annual motorbike road race is held every May. Blackrock House is on the circuit and now plays host to international motorbike riders and their superfan clubs!
Blackrock House is the result of a long standing dream of host, Nicola Neill. Originally from Bushmills and following an extensive career in international travel, tourism, hospitality and catering, Nicola decided to move home to Northern Ireland and pursue her dream of renovating a house and creating a boutique B&B. Following a four year renovation programme Nicola’s dream finally came true. Opening the first Five Star bed and breakfast in Portrush as awarded by Tourism NI, Blackrock has been host to Golfers, Cyclists, Bikers, Walkers and Film Crews. Blackrock House also came runner up as ‘Most Promising New Toursim Business’ in the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards 2016.
Blackrock House is an Edwardian property that has been decorated in natural colours reminiscent of the beach, pebbles and driftwood. Home to four luxury guest rooms all individually styled with boutique en-suites and beautiful ocean views, these are comfortable, light, and luxurious spaces which you can enjoy at your leisure. Each room embodies the spirit of modern coastal living and is furnished with hand-picked period pieces as well as local artwork, creating the perfect blend of contemporary décor. In fact, Blackrock was awarded ‘House of the Month – January 2016’ by designer furniture company Made.com, with their very own special feature on ‘Seaside Styling’.
Guests also have three lounges to enjoy – The Drawing Room with sea views perfect for wave watching, The Snug and The Balcony. Welcome drinks and homemade whiskey cake are served on arrival and there is also an honesty Irish Bushmills Whiskey bar for guests to enjoy. The Blackrock Dining Room which seats up to 12, is also available as a meeting space, for private dining in the evening or if you fancy staying in with a take away. For those wishing to relax and read, a selection of coastal and local history coffee table books, along with golfing magazines and books on the Golf Courses of Northern Ireland, are readily available to guests.
Blackrock House features local craft and artwork which is available for sale. Free parking is also available to guests.
All four guest suites ooze costal chic and come complete with Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, complementary Italian toiletries, plus a well stocked hospitality tray which includes bottled water, a selection of Belfast teas and fresh cafetiere coffee. Hot water bottles are provided and there are even binoculars in each of the rooms so that you can really take in the stunning views. For guests staying 2 nights or more, fluffy robes and slippers are provided.
As Blackrock House is located by the sea and wishes to preserve its coastal heritage, the guest rooms have all been named after the local ports, coves and creeks of Portrush. Guests can choose from:
Portandoo – Relax and unwind in a comfortable king-size bed in this first-floor guest room, which has wonderful coastal views over West Bay that sweep towards the cliffs of the Giant’s Causeway. Guests can enjoy plenty of space and light, as this room has glorious high ceilings, as well as access to a spacious private bathroom with shower on the landing.
Ramore – This beautiful double bedroom with ensuite bathroom boasts large full-length windows with panoramic sea views of West Strand beach, Ramore headland and the Harbour, as well as vistas of the Giant’s Causeway. Located on the second floor, the Ramore room’s ensuite is also decorated with gorgeous tiles in an Italian driftwood style, reflecting the timeless beauty of the coast. With floor to ceiling windows, this is a room where you can sleep beneath the stars if you wish – and wake up to the sound of the waves…
Portneen – This cosy twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom looks out onto West Strand beach and to the Skerries, with views of the Giant’s Causeway and nearby Dunluce Castle. Located on the third floor, Portneen is the perfect place to check out the surf or to drift off to the sound of the sea…
Portscadden – Located on the third floor, this front-facing twin bedroom with ensuite is furnished with an original Edwardian wardrobe – Narnia-style – which is a stunning feature piece in this spacious room. Overlooking ‘Blackhill’ on the North West 200 International Road Race circuit, this is the perfect place for the biking fan to check out local race legends the Dunlops.
Prices at Blackrock House vary throughout the year dependent on the season.
Prices for the twin and double rooms ranges from £110 – £160 per night
Prices for the twin / single rooms range from £110 – £130 per night
Great food is at the heart of Five Star Bed and Breakfast Blackrock House, where the breakfast menu has been specially sourced from the best award winning, local artisan producers to provide a truly authentic taste of the North Coast. Using only the best local and fresh ingredients, Nicola loves simple, organic produce and is proud to showcase the best of local businesses in the area.
Guests can choose from the ‘Breakfast To Go’ option if you need an early start on the golf course or fancy breakfast on the beach! In fact, the ‘Blackrock Breakfast Bap’ featured on Tourism Northern Ireland’s Breakfast Blog in January 2016 for Year of Food & Drink!
You have found a wonderful place to stay and Boutique and Breakfast is committed to giving you a personalised service so that you can find the right room at the right price. Simply fill in our enquiry form and within 24 hours you will receive a response from Blackrock House tailored to your needs. This will be in the form of either a telephone call or an email.