Elephant Rock Hotel

About Elephant Rock Hotel

Elephant Rock takes its name from the basalt formation on the shore nearby and its look from art deco, which it commits to properly - geometric tiling, brass, deep greens and pinks, and a cocktail bar that would not be out of place in a much larger city. It is small, individually owned and noticeably more design-led than anything else in Portrush.

There are seven room categories, from single rooms starting around 90 pounds a night to executive sea-view doubles from about 225 pounds, with breakfast included across the board. The restaurant seats only thirty and runs a modern seasonal menu built on local ingredients and north coast seafood, with ocean views from most tables; booking ahead is sensible even for residents. Vi's, the private event space, handles smaller functions.

The position in the centre of Portrush puts both blue-flag beaches, the harbour and the Ramore restaurants within a few minutes on foot, and the railway station is close enough to make arriving by train from Belfast entirely practical. The hotel also partners with local operators for surfing, coasteering and guided coastal tours, which is useful if you arrive without a plan. Best suited to couples and small groups rather than families with young children.