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Accommodation Partners
The Old Course Experience is delighted to offer you a range of accommodations to choose from. We work very closely with our lodging partners to ensure that requirements of your party exceed expectations. Each of our partner hotel properties offer a daily breakfast which is included as a part of each experience. Additionally, you are free to enjoy a dinner in the hotel restaurant on your first evening. With respect to golf, transfers will be arranged to take you to and from respective clubhouses.
St Andrews
No matter where in the world the golfer may travel he will find no other more thrilling sight than the historic city of St Andrews with its back drop of ancient buildings and dramatic spires. Here in the ancient Kingdom of Fife lies the cradle of the game of golf, its cultural home, the Mecca to which every golfer aspires to make pilgrimage at least once in his or her golfing life. Golf has been played on the Old Course at St Andrews for more than 400 years.
The Old Course Hotel
For golfers who dream of playing St Andrews, the legendary Home of Golf, there could be no better place to stay than the five-star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa. Voted the ‘World’s Leading Golf Resort’ for the third year running at the ‘World Travel Awards’ in November 2005 this stunning international resort borders the fairway of the hallowed 17th ‘Road Hole’ of the world famous Old Course. Just a short stroll away is the ancient university town of St Andrews where guests can browse the galleries, cafés and antique shops that line the cobbled streets.
Already one of Europe’s finest five-star resorts, the hotel has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, lifting it to unprecedented new heights in luxury. The majority of the hotel’s 144 rooms (including 37 suites) give spectacular panoramic views over all the links courses with the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse sitting majestically in the background. Looking out, guests can reflect on the famous personalities who have played and stayed here such as Michael Douglas, HRH The Duke of York and the great Tiger Woods.
The hotel offers elegant lounges, bars and exceptional dining from the chic informality of Sands Restaurant to the acclaimed Road Hole Grill (three AA rosettes) and the most popular 19th hole in St Andrews, The Jigger Inn.
The luxurious new spa is a refreshing and revitalizing haven for golfers and non-golfers alike, offering an extensive range of treatments for both men and women. Facilities include a large indoor pool with a stunning waterfall, a state-of-the-art gym with cardio-theatre stations overlooking the Old Course, steam rooms, fitness studio and the thermal suite featuring hydrotherapy pool, light therapy sauna, Japanese salt steam room, plunge pool and a whirlpool on the roof-top deck.
Fairmont St Andrews
Positioned 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 and the medieval skyline of St Andrews. All 209 generous guestrooms are stylish and have the latest in room amenities. For a fine dining experience, Esperante offers an exquisite menu crafted from the flare and imagination of Mediterranean influences which perfectly complement the Tuscan décor.
A more relaxed and convivial atmosphere can be enjoyed in The Squire restaurant which offers a seasonal mouth-watering menu to suit all palates. Alternatively, the comfortable clubhouse with its superb cliff-top setting and stunning panoramic views over both golf courses provides golfer’s fayre and homestyle cooking. Fairmont St Andrews also boasts the latest facilities at the Health Club and its European style Spa, including a heated indoor swimming pool.
St Andrews Golf Hotel
Two minutes walk from the first tee of the Old Course, this privately run 4 star hotel has panoramic views of the sea and its central location is ideal for walking the few minutes into town. With only 22 bedrooms, the hotel can offer a highly personal service. The 2AA Rosette award winning restaurant has magnificent views over St. Andrews bay and a very chic cocktail bar. There is also the ever popular Ma Bells bar downstairs.
The hotel is an elegant Victorian property which tastefully, and sensitively, combines tradition with designed interiors which offer the luxury and comfort of sumptuous furnishings and fittings bringing both convenience and comfort to guests. Quite simply, the ‘Golf’ sits itself apart from the uniformity of the modern hotel. The management of the hotel delivers an extremely high quality of service and real Scottish hospitality to ensure your stay is enjoyable. This hotel is individual in its style and uncompromising in its level of service and comfort, which was justly rewarded when it was recently voted one of the “Top 200 Hotels in Britain” by the AA.
The Rusacks Hotel
This hotel is uniquely situated in an enviable position with the most stunning view over the first tee and eighteenth green of the Old Course, the ‘Home of Golf’. This attractive Victorian property opened in 1887 and previous guests have included many of the golfing greats. Each of the 68 bedrooms is themed to reflect the town’s history and tradition with many named after the world’s top golfers, famous tournaments and infamous hazards from its illustrious neighbor such as Hells Bunker and the Valley of Sin.
The hotel’s Old Course Restaurant with its panoramic views of the course serves contemporary Scottish and local dishes prepared from seasonal ingredients.
Gleneagles & Carnoustie
Perthshire and Angus provides the very best in links golf and some of the most famous courses. If there is one golf center almost as well known outside Scotland as St Andrews then it is the majestic Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire. Carnoustie, as an Open Championship venue is renowned as one of the hardest and most interesting courses in Scotland. Both resorts are easily accessible from St Andrews so can be included in your Old Course Experience itinerary.
PERTHSHIRE (1 hour from St Andrews)
Gleneagles Hotel
Gleneagles is a Five Red Star golf resort hotel set in 850 acres of stunning scenery in Perthshire. Regarded as the ‘Palace of the Glens’, lying at the foot of the Scottish Highlands in a valley between the Ochil Hills and the Grampians yet only an hour away from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gleneagles is seen as an essential Scottish experience.
This luxurious hotel has 266 bedrooms including 16 exclusively decorated suites. Quality of service and attention to detail make a stay at Gleneagles an experience of a lifetime and its international reputation for excellence has seen it win more than 40 major awards in the past ten years.
The Strathearn Restaurant has been selected as one of the world’s ten Great Hotel Restaurants where innovation meets tradition with dishes reflecting the wealth of fresh produce available from Scotland’s larder. The two Michelin Star rated Andrew Fairlie restaurant offers guests and gourmands alike the delights of French influenced cuisine.
Golf at Gleneagles is an unashamed pleasure. Three courses: the King’s, Queen’s and the PGA Centenary provide a choice to suit any preference. Playing over immaculate greens and fairways affords unrivalled views of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The courses were the inspiration of two of the world’s most famous golfers: James Braid, five times winner of The Open, who designed the King’s and Queen’s, and Jack Nicklaus, Golfer of the Century, who created the PGA Centenary Course which will play host to the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Gleneagles also offers guests an unrivalled choice of other sports and leisure facilities including: clay target shooting, falconry, off-road driving, fishing on local salmon beats, horse riding, and a host of relaxing treatments at The Spa to help you unwind.
ANGUS (40 minutes from St Andrews)
Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel & Resort
Only twenty miles from St Andrews, the prestigious Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel and Resort offers a paradise for clients who are golf enthusiasts and the last word in comfort for those who are not. The hotel has been designed and built to the highest standard. It stands proudly behind the 1st tee and 18th green of the world-famous championship golf course which played host to the 1999 Open. There are 75 deluxe bedrooms and 10 presidential suites all named after the past Open winners at Carnoustie. The hotel restaurant and cocktail bar overlook the Championship course.
EDINBURGH (1 hour from St Andrews)
The capital of Scotland is a beautiful city which provides golfers with a range of the very best championship courses in the surrounding area. For golfers and non-golfers alike there is a wealth of places to visit which are culturally and historically rich. We have chosen three five-star hotels in Edinburgh which reflect the grandeur of the city and are conveniently situated in the heart of the city center. The city is only one hour from St Andrews, the home of golf.
The Scotsman Hotel
Occupying one of the Scottish capital’s greatest buildings, formerly the home to the eponymous newspaper for nearly 100 years, The Scotsman sits majestically beside North Bridge, overlooking Edinburgh Castle and Waverley Station, just a minute’s walk from The Royal Mile and Princes Street.
The hotel effortlessly fuses the history of this baronial property with contemporary styling and imaginative touches, to create a truly unique and world-class hotel. All of the bedrooms are individually designed in a style which combines traditional elegance with contemporary local touches, such as the various Scottish tweeds specially selected for the hotel. Many of the rooms also enjoy wonderful vistas over the bridges or the Old Town skyline.
The North Bridge Brasserie, offers modern Scottish cuisine. Tables are set in intimate coves and booths on the ground floor as well as around the walls of the gallery level with a stunningly contemporary steel staircase connects the two floors. In the centre of the room, flanked on each side by four imposing marble pillars, lies the modern cocktail and wine bar.
There is also a fabulous health and fitness center, Escape, exclusive to members and hotel guests and offering amongst others a stunning 16m stainless steel swimming pool, 60 station gym, sauna, steam room and beauty and body therapies at The Cowshed Spa.
Caledonian Hilton
The hotel is a distinguished landmark in the heart of the city of Edinburgh, and only a few minutes walk away from local city attractions and shops.
Formerly a Railway hotel it enjoys an enviable position overlooking the city’s famous castle and gardens. Its opulence and luxurious design have meant it has enjoyed the patronage of the rich and famous ever since it opened in 1903. There are many stunning architectural features that abound throughout the hotel that stand testament to its remarkable history.
Having recently enjoyed a multi-million pound refurbishment, the Deluxe rooms now favor a modern look with hints of the antique whilst still following a Scottish theme.
The Pompadour restaurant provides award-winning creative cuisine in beautiful surroundings. Created in 1914 it is based on the lavishly decorated drawing room in the royal court style of Louis XIV and some tables enjoy enviable views of Edinburgh Castle. Chisholm’s Brasserie Restaurant is more informal and offers both Scottish and International specialties. Adjacent to the Chisholm’s Brasserie is the new Caley Bar serving a unique collection of over 150 world-renowned brands of whisky
The LivingWell Health Club has also recently undergone a revitalization of its own and spans two floors featuring all the facilities one associates with such a club. The Ocean Rooms Beauty Salon also offers a wide range of treatments.
Sheraton Grand Hotel
Nestled in the shadow of historical Edinburgh Castle, the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa is just a short walk from the city’s famous shopping thoroughfare, Princes Street. The hotel offers modern facilities in a warm, luxurious and contemporary Scottish style. The guestrooms provide spacious havens in which to relax and feel at home.
The Grill Room offers sumptuous surroundings in which to enjoy the delectable menu which features fresh local ingredients with an international twist. It was recently awarded two AA Rosettes and the Gold Award 2005 at the ERA Capital Restaurant Awards. The Terrace Restaurant, in contrast, is more informal and relaxed with a carving station and buffet to tempt you. In the ONE spa building you will find Santini Ristorante, an intimate, tranquil haven from the outside world. This two AA Rosette restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine at its very best with a strong Venetian accent combining seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. Santini Bis, meanwhile, is more relaxed with a light airy atmosphere in which to enjoy the delights of its creative menu.
ONE is the hotel’s world-renowned spa and as the name suggests it is unique and Europe’s most advanced city spa. An elevated glass walkway carries you from the hotel across into the blue glass cube that is ONE. Inside you will find healing spa waters, including a 19-metre ozone friendly swimming pool and indoor and outdoor saline hydropools. The swimming pool, Cleopatra baths and fitness facilities at ONE are complimentary for guests. The Thermal Suite with its heat and steam experiences, including Rock and Bio Saunas, Laconium, Tepidarium and Hamman will help soothe aching muscles, although use of this facility will incur an extra charge. Prior booking for treatments and use of the Thermal Suite are recommended to avoid disappointment.
North Scotland
The Highlands
The North of Scotland offers golfers a wealth of the very top and oldest courses set in spectacular and wild scenery, with fantastic views. The whole area has a great feeling of peace and tranquility. Golfers will undoubtedly find the courses a formidable challenge and full of variety.
Culloden House Hotel (10 minutes from Inverness)
Culloden House nestles in a majestic country estate near Inverness, capital to the Highlands. This elegant Palladian mansion provides the finest of modern accommodation within a superbly historic setting – more than two centuries ago Bonnie Prince Charlie himself requisitioned the original castle for his headquarters prior to the tragic battle fought just minutes away on Culloden Moor.
After a day’s challenging championship golf relax amid the unpretentious luxury and enjoy excellent cuisine that beautifully complements the tranquil surroundings.
In a class of its own, Culloden House offers first-class comfort on the doorstep of an abundance of visitor attractions: follow the whisky trail or soak up the breath-taking splendor of the Great Glen and Loch Ness, allegedly home to a famous monster!
Royal Golf Hotel
(50 minutes from Inverness)
Located in the historic Royal Burgh of Dornochand and situated on the 1st tee at the famous Royal Dornoch Golf Course, many of the 25 en-suite rooms, including the two luxury suites have panoramic views across the course and the Dornoch coastline beyond. This four-star hotel has been recently refurbished and its enviable location makes it a golfer’s haven.
Situated just 200 yards from the center of Dornoch, a Royal Burgh since 1906, you will be ideally placed to discover a host of highland treasures on your doorstep and beyond
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND
The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel
(82 miles from St Andrews)
Luxury and comfort are bywords for your stay at this elegant five-star country hotel set on the outskirts of Aberdeen in the picturesque North East of Scotland. An atmosphere of refined quality suffused with good taste awaits you and there are a variety of leisure activities as well as golf to whet every appetite.
This is also an ideal base from which to explore some of the many treasures this area has to offer, most notably Balmoral Castle, the British Royal Family’s holiday home since 1852.
Many distinguished guests have stayed at this stylish, yet traditional, country hotel including the legendary US golfer Tom Watson
West Coast of Scotland
AYRSHIRE (3 hours from St Andrews)
Marine Hotel, Troon
Overlooking the 18th fairway of Royal Troon Championship Golf Course, this hotel offers a delightful combination of style, tradition and outstanding facilities. The warmth of its welcome combined with an excellent high standard of service ensure this four-star, 5 Crown Highly Commended hotel, dating back to 1897, enjoys a well-deserved reputation both in the UK and overseas. The hotel has breathtaking views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran.
All 74 bedrooms, including 5 suites and 10 premium rooms, combine individual characteristics with a high standard of modern comfort. The Fairways restaurant is highly sophisticated. Fine, creative cuisine, complemented by an award-winning wine list is served with style and diners are rewarded with magnificent view over Royal Troon course.
Turnberry
This world-renowned golf and leisure resort is magnificently situated on Scotland’s south west coast and is approximately 129 miles from St Andrews, 55 miles from Glasgow and 95 miles from Edinburgh. The AA 5 Red Star hotel opened in 1906, and overlooks the Isles of Arran and Ailsa Craig and its extensive estate boasts two championship golf courses. The 221 bedrooms and suites are styled individually to represent a grand Scottish Country house. Traditional French cuisine, in the modern manner, together with classic Scottish dishes are served in the Turnberry Restaurant. Alternatively, a lighter style of dining is available in the Terrace Brasserie or more traditional golfers fayre is available in the Clubhouse dining room.
The six or eight bedroom Lodges offer luxury, privacy and access to all of the wonderful facilities at Turnberry. Individually designed with sumptuous fabrics and elegant furnishings, each Lodge has beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms, a spacious Lounge with warming fire and a private dining area, where you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the award winning-chefs.
Amongst the numerous high-class leisure facilities you will find the exclusive health spa which has a pool with dramatic views across the Irish Sea to Ailsa Craig and the new Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy created by the Champion golfer in conjunction with renowned golf course architect, Donald Steel, offers a superb teaching environment. With the world-class tuition, personalized programs and state-of-the-art teaching and practice facilities on offer, golfers will be able to enjoy all the unique challenges of links golf. |