Seaton House Review

Overlooking the 18th hole and clubhouse of the world-famous Old Course in St Andrews, the newly opened 5-star Seaton House provides the famous Scottish golfing town with its most refined hospitality experience to date. Formerly The Scores Hotel, the property has reclaimed its original name, following a sensitive restoration of its two Georgian townhouses which date back to 1864. The Luxury Editor spent a weekend at Seaton House, so read on to discover why this is, without doubt, St Andrews’ most sophisticated new address.

Positioned on ‘The Scores’, St Andrews’ most iconic road, Seaton House offers 42 luxurious guest quarters, including expansive garden and terrace suites, destination dining by celebrated Edinburgh’s seafood restaurant Ondine Oyster & Grill, Bar and outdoor alfresco dining terrace and a further all-day dining experience, The Board Room. Part of the Links Collection portfolio, Seaton Houses’ recent opening was closely followed by sister property Dunluce Lodge in Portrush, Northern Ireland (read review here). Both properties deliver exceptional levels of luxury and service in two of the UK’s most celebrated golfing locations.

Check In & Lobby

Tucked behind its Edwardian façade, the hotel’s entrance leads to an intimate lobby reserved exclusively for hotel guests. A smartly dressed doorman relieves you of luggage (and golf clubs if applicable), while valet parking is also available. Take time to have a welcome drink in the lobby lounge post check in or head up to Bow Butts Bar for an afternoon cocktail like I did, I can highly recommend the Margarita!

Look & Feel

Interiors strike the balance between Scottish character and contemporary refinement without being clichéd. Nods to the area’s golfing heritage and national identity are woven throughout, a sculptural stag’s head casts a dramatic shadow in the lobby lounge offering a modern reimagining of the iconic Highland symbol. Heritage fabrics, thistle motifs and golf-inspired artworks like the portrait of Old Tom Morris, constructed from golf tees along with modern impressionist landscape paintings dot the hotel, all embodying the hotel’s design ethos of contemporary, considered, and rooted in place.

Location

It’s a one-minute walk to the Old Course, and a further five-minute walk across to West Sand Beach. The town centre is a short stroll in the other direction, where you can explore St Andrew’s myriad of University buildings along with its iconic Cathedral ruins. Beyond the town, it’s a who’s who of golf courses with The Castle Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links, Ladybank Golf Club and Carnoustie Golf Links on your doorstep. For whisky aficionados, Kingsbarns Distillery is just a short 30-minute drive away.

St Andrews is conveniently accessible, approximately 90 minutes from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow, with complimentary on-site parking and valet service provided by the hotel, along with nearby Leuchars Station allowing you to connect with the UK rail network.

Rooms & Suites

Comprising 42 rooms, including six signature suites and three junior suites, Garden-facing Signature Rooms feature double beds, while Deluxe Rooms offer king-sized beds and increased floor space. Deluxe Sea View Rooms provide sweeping panoramas over West Sands Beach and the Old Course framed by generous bay windows. Interiors come with oak-panelled feature walls, bed throws in a bespoke tartan, and a soft, neutral palette. Bathrooms feel residential and luxurious, with heritage vanities, marble-tiled walls and flooring and large rainfall showers. In-room amenities include Nespresso machines, Natura Bissé toiletries, smart TVs, a well-stocked minibar, and climate control. Accessible and twin-bed configurations are also available.

Junior Suites and Garden View Suites offer tranquil town views and generous proportions, while the expansive Garden Terrace Suites feature bi-fold doors opening onto private furnished terraces. The two Sea View Terrace Suites, named West Sands Suite and Tentsmuir Suite, sit at the front of the property and offer views across St Andrews Bay, along with exclusive Ava Innes cashmere bedding.

My Suite During My Stay

During my stay, I was hosted in room 002 – a Suite With Garden Terrace, at 516 sq ft, these are the most spacious suites in the hotel, with a layout that makes it feel more like a private apartment than a hotel room.

Bedroom

The suite’s super king-sized bed is framed by a panelled oak feature wall, with sculptural antler-like brackets rising from the headboard while a tartan throw in muted greens adds regional character. Across from the bed, the writing desk is paired with a forest-green leather chair and a tall framed mirror positioned alongside. The room is also equipped with two large flat-screen TVs, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge.

Turn Down

Come evening, soft lighting is dialled low, the duvet folded back, water placed bedside, along with robe and slippers neatly arranged. Curtains are drawn and, as a thoughtful final touch, the outdoor terrace lighting is switched on.

Lounge

The suite’s separate lounge area offers an inviting extension of the private living space. A checked blue two-seater sofa sits beneath a curated gallery wall of monochrome prints and illustrations, while opposite, a shelving unit houses books, design objects, a flat screen TV and a compendium of classic board games.

Seaton House goes to great lengths to ensure every detail of the hotel experience feels thoughtful and tailored, knowing I was a whisky lover a welcome carafe of Kingsbarns Single Malt was left for me.

Outdoor Terrace & Garden

Full-height bi-fold doors lead directly from the lounge onto a private terrace, a rare luxury in the heart of the town’s historic centre. One of three garden suites is enclosed by timber slatted screens for privacy, the space is furnished with an outdoor lounge set and offers direct access to the landscaped garden beyond.

Amenities

A marble-topped recessed counter with a mirrored backdrop showcases a collection of wines, local spirits and a Nespresso machine and kettle. Below the minibar itself is stocked with wines, beers and soft drinks, with all soft drinks and beers being complimentary during your stay. Loch Ness Water, still and sparkling is replenished daily.

Wardrobe

The wardrobe space is outfitted with a mix of wooden and padded hangers, robes and slippers. Beneath the rail, a secure digital safe and a drawer containing a hairdryer and compact steamer.

Bathroom

Clad in large-format marble-effect tiles, the room is expansive, with a deep freestanding bathtub and separate walk-in rainfall shower. Amenities by Natura Bissé come in full-size bottles.

Ondine Oyster & Grill

Seaton House’s showpiece restaurant, Ondine Oyster & Grill brings a fresh energy to St Andrews’ dining scene. The restaurant marks the arrival of celebrated Edinburgh seafood institution Ondine to the Fife coast, with the kitchen under the direction of Ondine’s founder, and award-winning chef Roy Brett, known for his dedication to sustainable, market-fresh seafood.

Occupying the space directly above the main entrance, its façade is marked by tall sash windows which floods the space with light. Interiors strike a balance between maritime aesthetic and timeless brasserie style. Its long marble-topped bar anchors one side of the room, while the dining area offers a sequence of intimate window facing tables and banquet seating.

The experience begins with simple yet stylish slices of freshly baked bread served with a scoop of seaweed-infused butter. Umami-rich it quietly sets the tone for what follows rooted in Roy Brett’s signature style precision-executed seafood classics.

We began with Crab Crumpets with malt mayonnaise and nutmeg along with the Burrata with smoked almond romesco. For mains, the Lemon Sole Meunière was a standout, melt in the mouth and dressed in brown butter, capers and shrimps, while the Deep-Fried North Sea Cod delivered an elevated take on the classic British staple.

Desserts showcase the kitchen’s playful flair. The Chocolate & Hazelnut Ganache was rich and silky, paired with a dollop of crème fraîche, while the Basque Cheesecake arrived with a brûléed top that evoked toasted marshmallow, its richness lifted by a topping of macerated strawberries.

Bow Butts Bar

Named after the historic green just beyond the hotel windows, where local archers in 1418 gathered to hone their longbow skills and vie for the Silver Arrow. Inside, Bow Butts is richly layered with dark timber panelling and burnished leather chairs echoing the ambience of a member’s club. Floor-to-ceiling bay windows frame uninterrupted views, while outside, a terrace offers alfresco seating ideal for a sundowner overlooking one of golf’s most iconic backdrops.

The Board Room

Also overseen by Ondine’s Roy Brett, The Board Room a play on ‘charcuterie board’ is a light-filled space open for breakfast and all-day dining. The day menu celebrates Scotland’s seasonal larder – sharing boards are prepared and presented tableside, each one layered with locally sourced meats from Peelham Farm, cheeses from I.J Mellis and cured seafood from David Lowrie Fish Merchants. While mornings begin with à la carte favourites, we went for the Eggs Florentine and Newhaven Smoked Salmon along with Crushed Avocado Toast and Poached Eggs, complemented by a well-stocked self-serve buffet island featuring fresh fruit, cereals and berry smoothies.

Local Experiences

With the hotel’s strong emphasis on discreet luxury, it goes without saying that local experiences form an integral part of their offering. Experiences range from falconry displays on the beach and guided hikes along the Fife Coastal Path, to behind-the-scenes access at local distilleries and exclusive boat charters along the coastline and even alpaca trekking!

During my visit, I took part in a Whisky Blending Masterclass at Kingsbarn’s Distillery. This hands-on, one and-a-half-hour experience is a fun and educational way of learning more about the art of blending. Hosted by an expert from Kingsbarn’s Distillery and using a selection of single malts along with an aroma wheel, pipettes and measuring beakers the end result is a personalised dram to take home that is guaranteed to suit your individual palate.

Health & Wellbeing

Maintain your fitness regime in the 24-hour Fitness Suite which faces out to the garden, along with daily yoga on the private garden terrace. Explore the area with complimentary bike hire, and brave some wild swimming where the hotel team is on hand to advise on tides and locations, even offering to deliver fresh towels and a flask of hot tea post-dip. And follow this up with a session at the Wild Scottish outdoor Sauna on West Sands Beach.

Final Thoughts

Seaton House doesn’t shout about its luxury it whispers it with grace, from the discreet and intuitive service to the elegant interiors grounded in Scottish heritage. Whether you’re here for a weekend of golf, a food-led escape, or simply to recharge amid sea air and storied surroundings, Seaton House delivers an elevated and deeply personal kind of hospitality.