First of all, Happy New Year! I hope you’re enjoying a gentle and enjoyable start to the year, and I thought I would mix it up a little and do a post which is a little different from normal! Even though I went to both school and university in St Andrews, I’ve stayed at the somewhat iconic Old Course Hotel several times, both with friends and family. Tucked just behind the dunes of the Old Course and West Sands beach, it’s pretty perfectly located if you want to explore the town, or, if you want to take some time to unwind. I visited just before the Christmas rush, as I was seeing some friends, and I didn’t want to impose on their apartment in town.
The hotel, honestly, is a bit hit and miss. The staff are unfailingly helpful and cheery, although there doesn’t seem to be the attention to detail you might expect from a member of Leading Hotels of the World. The rooms don’t feel luxurious or sumptuous; if anything they’re a little dated and in need of a little TLC. My room’s carpet was a little loose, and there were various scuffs and chunks taken out of the wall, and the curtains were snagged and stained. Unfortunately I was woken up at 8am by a recycling truck emptying what sounded like a billion bottles, which wasn’t too fun. I don’t want to get too negative, because the hotel is fine, but considering they charge upwards £400 per night in the summer, I would really expect rather more! I have to say though, the bed was super comfy – neither too hard or soft, with four lovely pillows (two were weirdly rock hard, and none of them, unfortunately were down) it was almost too easy to fall asleep!
I have to admite to harbouring a major soft spot for the bathrooms – clad in contrasting marble, with a heavenly deep bath, I can (and have) spent hours in there! The Old Course is the only hotel outside the US to partner with Kohler, and as a result they are pretty special. There is an almost waterfall-like tap to fill the bath, along with a rain-like shower which left me feeling squeaky clean and ever so relaxed! The partnership with Kohler continues down to the spa, which you can read about in my review here.
The in-room toiletries are provided by Arran Aromatics, and it’s lovely to see Scottish products getting some well needed exposure in the rooms. The bergamot and and ginger bubble bath was delightful, and it’s made me want to explore the brand more. Staying in the Old Course is incredibly convenient if you have plans in and around St Andrews, and it’s so nice to be able to snuggle up in a dreamy bed after braving the cold in town. I do wish the experience was a bit ‘slicker,’ but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
