"In the Scottish Highlands I was invited to design my own tartan at the Fife Arms in Braemar: with expert weavers I chose colors and stripes to reflect milestones or memories — forest green for a landscape, navy for a childhood home, or gold thread in honor of a grandparent — then had the design registered and woven into fabric. The finished piece, whether a scarf, throw, or keepsake swatch, serves as a textile memoir. Rooms from $623; tartan workshop from $4,057 per person." - Jordi Lippe-McGraw
"Set in the heart of Braemar village, this 46-room inn was Artfarm’s first major hospitality project and occupies a historic 19th-century hotel built during the tourist boom after Queen Victoria snapped up Balmoral (a half-hour drive away). The place reads like a gallery-meets-hotel: Ivan and Manuela Wirth unleashed a world-class art haul (don’t miss the junkyard-on-acid Subodh Gupta chandelier), and the crowd skews art-world chic if a bit snooty. The hotel exudes maximalist Victoriana — I stayed in the Edward VII suite, complete with an Eiffel Tower lamp, a biography in the bathroom, and the cute knitted-bird swap for housekeeping — though some antiques (my stuffing-deficient chaise) favored style over comfort. Food disappointed in parts: classic dishes feel fussy and over-precious (haggis, neeps, and tatties arrived in bite-size portions), and the hybrid breakfast included a runny, tasteless porridge; by contrast the bars are excellent, with a whisky den housing hundreds of rare malts and Elsa’s channeling Schiaparelli in its playful coasters. Service leans warm and genuine — many Highland staffers went out of their way, showing me the key library, and recovery from a transfer mistake felt sincere. For local experiences it’s perfect: pop to Farquarson’s pub, take a stream cold plunge the hotel can arrange, explore the nearby Cairngorms, or succumb to the Fife Arms Shop, an Aladdin’s Cave of handpicked treasures. Nightly rates from $620." - Mark Ellwood
"Tucked in the park, the five-star Fife Arms is the most opulent property in the area, known for its bold design (tartan, taxidermy) and an art collection that includes works by Picasso and Queen Victoria; staying here is as much about the curated interiors and art as it is about luxury accommodation." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"An opulent five‑star hotel known as much for its bold interiors—tartan, taxidermy, and an extensive art collection including works by major artists—as for luxury accommodations; it functions as both a high‑end place to stay and an immersive art‑and‑heritage experience, with multiple on‑site dining options reflecting the property’s hunting‑lodge history." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A luxurious hotel in the Scottish Highlands with a unique art collection and ornately styled rooms. It offers Scottish-themed bars and a Michelin-recommended dining experience." - The MICHELIN Guide