Passport to Everywhere with Melissa Biggs Bradley
Society & Culture:Places & Travel
Hotel Legends: Fife Arms with Artfarm CEO Ewan Venters
Nestled in the majestic Scottish Highlands, the Fife Arms was recently named best hotel in the U.K. by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. With over 16,000 pieces of art and antiques, this 19th-century hunting lodge turned hotel in the historical village of Braemar serves as both an international art gallery as well as an eclectic, cozy, and welcoming countryside home. Though a newer hotel (it opened only in 2019), the Fife Arms quickly earned legend status and consistently wows travelers with its drama, eccentricity and charm.
Ewan Venters, the CEO of the hospitality and development company Artfarm, joins Melissa on today’s episode to dive into how he helped transform this landmark hotel into a ‘living contemporary art museum.’ For Ewan, “hospitality is all about the generosity of spirit” and he explains how the connection to art and community creates a unique guest experience at the hotel. He reveals the journey of opening the Fife Arms and designing an authentic space for the culturally curious traveler; he talks about the famous whiskey library Bertie’s Bar (named after Queen Victoria's rebellious son) and shares the secret to the hotel’s success (including feedback from the famous actress and prior hotel guest Judi Dench).
Indagare Productions Director Kathryn Nathanson also jumps on to share travel tips for making the most of a trip to the Fife Arms after staying there this past April. She’ll dive into how to get there, what to wear, see, eat and do.
If you want more information about the Fife Arms and the Scottish Highlands sites that are mentioned in today’s episode, click the links below:
Fife Arms - 19th century hunting lodge turned into a historic, boutique hotel located in the village of Braemar
Artfarm - the company run by Ewan that oversees unique hospitality projects like Fife Arms by focusing on the power of hospitality, art, and community.
If you want to dive more into the history of the Highlands and the relationship between Queen Victoria and her gillie, John Brown, check out the movie: Mrs. Brown.
For travelers visiting the Scottish Highlands, see tips below from Indagare Productions Director Kathryn Nathanson:
Arriving to Fife Arms
What to pack
How long to stay
Sites to visit in the Highlands
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants in and around the Fife Arms
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