Ardbeg House on Islay has appointed general manager Richard Needham as it continues to develop its whisky-led accommodation and dining offer near Port Ellen.
The boutique hotel, located close to Ardbeg Distillery, recently opened as a small hospitality venue centred on the brand’s whisky. It was designed with interiors firm Russell Sage Studio and includes work by more than 20 Scottish makers.
As general manager, Needham will oversee guest services, day-to-day operations and staff development.
Needham joins after four years in senior roles at the Fife Arms, where he served as operations manager and hotel manager. Before that, he worked as duty manager at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire.
Ardbeg House was created to offer visitors food, accommodation and whisky experiences linked to the distillery, reflecting the wider tourism growth on Islay in recent years.
Needham said: “Ardbeg House is bold, characterful and rooted in place. For me, world class hospitality is about unique and personalised experiences, and Ardbeg House embodies that essence; from food and drink with an Ardbeg twist showcasing the best of Islay’s larder, to the local stories woven into all aspects of the hotel’s design, and surprise and delight details waiting to be discovered.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the team and am looking forward to welcoming many whisky lovers old and new through our doors to discover this completely unique hotel, restaurant and bar on Islay.”
