St. Andrews is home to a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from bed & breakfasts to 5 star hotels. Many play a key role in the community, not only for the domestic market but also for international tourists – in particular, golfers. For the moment however, we shall focus on The Best Top 5 Accommodations in St Andrews, Scotland.
Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
The Old Course Hotel offers some of the most luxurious accommodation in Scotland. Guests can expect to enjoy either the priceless view of the Old Course and the St Andrews coastline, or the fields and hills of Fife.
All 144 rooms, comprised of 109 rooms and 35 suites are designed to offer a welcoming haven with contemporary fabrics, soft furnishings and marble touches in the bathrooms. The luxurious suites are spacious, finely appointed and offer fine panoramic views over the links courses to the sea.
The Road Hole Grill located on the top floor of the hotel has recently been relaunched, notable new features include dramatic floor to ceiling windows which offer some of the best views in Scotland across the Old Course, the ”auld grey toon” of St Andrews and the sweeping coastal vista. Sands is a chic and informal restaurant and bar with dishes from the deep cold of the North Atlantic to the radiant warmth of the Mediterranean.
Kohler Waters Spa believes in promoting health as well as relaxation by recreating the healing properties of earth’s natural, mineral-rich waters. There are 30 treatments in total for you to choose from, including signature Kohler Bathing and Water Experiences where you can relax and restore your body as you enjoy the therapeutic benefits of water. You can also enjoy a swim in the indoor pool with its invigorating waterfall or feel tension float away in the thermal suite’s whirlpool or up on the rooftop in the outdoor hot tub.
Be sure to enjoy a pint in the Jigger Inn, the hotel own Scottish pub overlooking the Road Hole. This historic building dates back to the 1850’s, when it was the St Andrews station master’s lodge and it has lost none of its atmosphere. Step inside and you’ll warm to the genuine Scottish welcome, the golfing memorabilia, the crackling open-hearth fires and the golf chat.
Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews
Occupying a landmark 1600’s building, overlooking the iconic Old Course, the Home of Golf, the hotel is the newest offering from Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts. It reopened in July 2021 following a major transformation and extension housing new rooms overlooking the 18th fairway.
Warm woods and antique furnishings meet luxurious materials and mystical touches to create a vivid ode to the Highlands and Linksland of Scotland. Selected rooms feature prime views of the surrounding courses and natural landscapes, and come with a wide array of fine amenities to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
A stunning destination rooftop 18 sits on the fourth floor of the new extension to the previous footprint and its full glass wall offers a panoramic view across the Old Course, West Sands and the North Sea. The ground floor will house The Bridge, for casual all-day dining option and One Under Bar, an intimate, underground bar will serve the very best pub favourites, beers, whiskies and cocktails.
Hotel Du Vin, St Andrews
Hotel du Vin St Andrews is located overlooking the famous West Sands beach, a short walk from the R&A Clubhouse and the 1st Tee on the Old Course. A traditional stone and slate terrace building, with stunning views over the West Sands and the bay of St Andrews, whilst being right in the heart of the old town.
The property was originally a prestigious family home, and has been sensitively converted into a stylish, boutique hotel. 40 rooms and suites with monsoon showers, sumptuous beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and all the little luxuries you would come to expect in a Hotel du Vin guest room.
The heart of the hotel will be the Bistro, serving signature French bistro dishes with a home cooked style using seasonal, local produce. The bar and lounge area will be adorned with charismatic art and comfortable seating, providing a relaxed setting to share a bottle of wine from the impressive 500 bin wine list selected by the in-house Sommelier. The board room with sea views creates an inspiring and intimate setting for a private dinner.
The favoured Ma Bells, neighbouring the hotel, is a charismatic bar which has formed a key part of the St Andrews bar scene for many years. The bar offers a huge selection of beers, lagers and local ales, as well as a wide selection of spirits and of course, cocktails.
Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews
The 5-star Fairmont St Andrews is located on the outskirts of St Andrews along the road to Crail. Sitting on the summit of a spectacular cliff formation, the hotel and its two championship golf courses have breathtaking panoramic views of the River Tay estuary, the North Sea, the Fife countryside, and the medieval skyline of St Andrews.
In addition to the two golf courses on site, you may enjoy the Spa, a haven of peace and tranquility. Enjoy a few easy lengths of the 18-metre pool, relax in the Jacuzzi, sauna or steam room. Included in your rate is full WiFi internet access in the public rooms and guest bedrooms.
The Scores Hotel, St Andrews
Occupying two former fashionable town houses dating from 1880, The Scores Hotel’s 30 bedrooms are all en suite. With the emphasis on the attentive and friendly service, which is the hallmark of traditional Scottish hospitality, you are assured of every comfort at The Scores Hotel.
It has been said that there are few finer views in the whole of St. Andrews and certainly the panorama from The Scores Hotel is one that lingers long in the memory. Savor the view whilst enjoying an aperitif in the Scorecards Bar, which features a collection of scorecards from championships played over the Old Course by some of the game’s legends.
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About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. View on LinkedIn.
