Fairmont St Andrews – Scotland’s Finest Luxury Spa Resort and Golfing Paradise

Embedded in its Scottish roots, yet catering to an international set, this links golf and spa resort occupies 520 acres, comprising one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in the world. Fairmont St Andrews holds appeal for a wide range of guests; from the staycationer to families, the keen sportsperson, the business delegate and the wellness enthusiast. The hotel opened a little over two decades ago and has grown to become a beacon of luxury living in Scotland. The Luxury Editor was invited to experience their new monthly Sunday Buffet Brunch. Read onto discover more.

The Fairmont St Andrews resort is without a doubt one of Scotland’s best luxury hotels, located on the eastern coast of Fife in the “Home of Golf” and a stone’s throw from St Andrews. The resort offers two Championship golf courses, 212 beautifully furnished guestrooms and suites, and two Manor Homes with expansive views. Enjoy the beautiful wellness and spa facility, and indulge in a wealth of dining options, including two AA-Rosette restaurants.

The hotel’s communal areas have been refurbished since I last visited and now take a more modern style which works beautifully with darker blues and soft lighting giving the main atrium at night a really new wow factor.

Check-In

We came by car and there is plenty of parking close to the entrance. As I was travelling with my parents who need disabled access I was pleased to see there are two disabled spaces close to the hotel entrance for guests’ convenience.

Check-in is fast and efficient with bags taken to guests’ rooms by the friendly door staff. There is also a separate concierge desk with a team who can help plan trips and experiences.

A Landmark in the Home of Golf

The resort is perched on a coastal cliff overlooking the North Sea and St Andrews Bay which offers stunning views. It’s also close to the Fife Coastal path, a popular trail along the picturesque East Neuk and provides ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, water sports and swimming – they even have a new complimentary sauna on Kingbarns beach to use for those who are brave enough to do some open water swimming!

Getting Around

Just over five minutes by car, the historic centre of St Andrews holds many interesting sites, including the hallowed university buildings (whose alumni include the Prince and Princess of Wales) and a small cathedral. You’ll also find an array of boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, with the famous West Sands Beach just a little further afield.

The hotel offers shuttles to and from the hotel each day and taxis are easy to book as well.

The Torrance and The Kittocks

The largest of the many jewels in this hotel’s crown, are its two world-class 18-hole golf courses; The Torrance (a traditional championship links course) and The Kittocks (with an outward-and-inward loop). Guests can hire top-quality equipment onsite, take lessons with a resident PGA professional Cameron West, socialise in the clubhouse and practice their swing indoors via a golf simulator. These courses provide a challenging and scenic golfing experience, and tournaments such as the St Andrews Bay Championship, The Hero Open and the Fairmont Winter Series Competition have all been hosted here.

Contemporary Meets Heritage

There’s no mistaking you’re in Scotland here, with regal nods to the homeland via plaid prints and tartan textiles across the 212 rooms and suites. But this is perfectly blended with timeless furnishings befitting the modern age. Rooms feature earthy comforting tones that compliment the blues and greens seen through the period windows and are equipped with Nespresso machines, trendy Le Labo bath products, large bathrooms with walkin showers, separate bathtubs, and heated floors.

Fairmont Rooms present views overlooking the resort grounds, Fairmont View Rooms offer enhanced views, whilst Delux Sea View Rooms showcase fabulous golf course views and offer more space than the other room categories.

Spacious Suites and Manor Homes

Alternatively, book one of the open-plan suites, those with separate living areas, or the Kingdom of Fife room with its own terrace. Each is designed with pops of rust, forest green, or soft blue hues. Families and groups seeking additional privacy and space will prefer the Manor Homes a short stroll away from the main building. Affording four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a farmhouse kitchen, a breakfast bar, a dining room, a library/dram room and a separate formal dining area, these accommodate up to eight guests each.

Our Room During Our Stay

A Deluxe Sea View Room was our base during our stay, these are characterised by their grandeur, spaciousness, and tasteful Scottish-inspired decor. These rooms feature a large modern marble bathroom equipped with a heated floor, a separate walk-in shower, and a bathtub. Located in the North Wing of the hotel, they offer the most captivating view of the resort with sweeping vistas of the golf courses and the North Sea. Guests can choose from either a King bed or two Double Beds.

Bedroom

Both plug points and USB charging points are located on each side of the bed, the room also has a large flat-screen TV and a sizable desk for any work you want to do during your stay.

Bathroom

There is a lovely big bath in the corner which you can lie out in either direction in, a separate walk-in shower with both a rain shower and hand shower attachment.

Mini Bar

There is a well-stocked fridge with additional drinks you can buy, complimentary Nespresso pods and a mini bottle of fresh milk is also supplied. There is also free mineral water supplied.

View

Waking up this view (image below) was a wonderful way to start the day. The second image is the view from the other side of the building, where the Fairmont Rooms are located.

Six Drinking and Dining Options

Take tea in the Atrium Lounge with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking onto the lawn and 60-metre “Zephyr” art installation, another of the hotel’s jewels. If you’re staying on the first Sunday of the month, don’t miss the lavish brunch buffet piled with high-end local produce, such as huge langoustines and caviar (more on that below).

For dinner, dine in the family-friendly Italian cuisine at La Cucina with its cute balcony looking out over the atrium. Head over to The Clubhouse (you can walk down or a buggy can be organised) which serves a Grill, with a gorgeous tiered seafood platter, Sunday roasts and grilled local lobster.

The Zephyr Sports Bar and Kittocks Den (named after the valley that runs through the golf course) are the hotel’s two bar areas.

Brunch at Squires

I don’t often go away with my parents and actually can’t remember the last time I had a Sunday lunch with them, so this was a real treat for me. The new Sunday Brunch takes place in Squires restaurant on the first Sunday of every month and is delicious! Executive Chef Ian Syme has really showcased his culinary prowess. This lavish affair is a celebration of Scotland’s finest flavours, with a menu that highlights the bounty of local Scottish seafood, including smoked Finnan haddock, tiger prawns, and Cumbrae oysters.

The culinary spectacle continues with a live cooking station serving up fresh pasta, dishes as well as a ramen station.

The salad bar offers a medley of vibrant ingredients like quinoa, heritage tomatoes, and mixed-leaf greens, ensuring a refreshing balance to the hearty offerings and if you are a cheese fan there is a huge cheese and breads section too.

In the centre of the buffet, a hot plates section offers everything from Highland venison, to roast loin of cod and chana masala.

While a carving station showcases the succulent roast options including beef, pork and vegetarian Wellington and don’t leave without popping a couple of Yorkshire puddings on your plate for good measure!

The dessert section is a grand finale, featuring delights like passion fruit and raspberry choux, chocolate cake, cheesecake and a fridge full of gelatos.

Breakfast

The next morning we tried out the buffet breakfast. With a huge selection of hot and cold dishes offered in the buffet, there is also a cooking station where guests have eggs cooked to order. I didn’t need to eat anything for the rest of the day!

Fairmont St Andrews Spa

The hotel is dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles through its Fairmont Spa. This spa provides a serene setting for private members, resort guests, and spa visitors to exercise and relax in. The spa features a state-of-the-art health club equipped with the latest Life Fitness equipment, including cardiovascular machines, free weights, cable & core units, cross-trainers, stationary and spin bikes, treadmills, step & squat machines, kettlebells, and more.

The club also includes a 16-meter indoor pool with loungers and a Jacuzzi, private changing rooms for both men and women, saunas, steam rooms, and drench showers.

If you are looking to enhance your fitness, the spa offers personal training sessions with qualified instructors dedicated to helping members achieve and maintain their health and fitness goals. Additionally, interactive group exercise classes are available throughout the day, catering to all fitness levels. These classes include yoga, Pilates, step, body conditioning, indoor cycling, and aqua aerobics, led by an energetic and knowledgeable team.

Other Amenities

The hotel also has a boutique cinema, a hive of resident bees (whose honey can be enjoyed in-house), special activities during the school holidays, and a brand-new glamping site for the summer months. And you can try your hand at a range of activities without leaving the grounds, including falconry, archery, and segway tours.

Final Thoughts

Fairmont St Andrews has been voted 18th in the World’s Top Golf Resorts by Condé Nast Traveller’s readers’ poll, reached number 22 in The World’s Best Golf Hotels by Golf Digest, and was named Luxury Coastal Hotel Global Winner at the 2020 World Luxury Awards — these accolades alone should be reason enough to visit the landmark hotel very soon.

About Fairmont Hotels

At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, guests will find a unique combination of intimacy and endless possibilities. With over 80 hotels worldwide, Fairmont properties are renowned for the grand moments of life they create, including personal milestones and cherished memories. Since 1907, Fairmont has developed iconic hotels that are steeped in the history, culture, and community of their destinations. Some of these locations include The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Guests can expect engaging service, beautiful public spaces, locally sourced cuisine, and memorable bars and lounges.

Read our reviews of the Fairmont Residences La Marina Rabat-Sale and the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier.