A visit to Fairmont St Andrews is a must!

Published by Mark Simpson

I very recently turned the tender age of 30 years old. Many say this is a turming point in your life – the realisation that you may have to grow up now. However the stark reality is that I will never grow up, I just have more responsibilities!

To celebrate this occasion I treated my wife, one year old son (Harry) and I to a luxury overnight at the Fairmont St Andrews. My wife and I had stayed here a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. So we thought a return would be nice and to introduce Harry to the world of 5-star!

Even though we had been before, the drive towards the hotel as you turn in still takes your breath away. We were lucky enough to arrive on a fantastic day and it really feels like you are entering a resort on the continent!

Fairmont St Andrews Exterior

Entrance to Fairmont St Andrews

Since our last stay the hotel has gone through some refurbishment of the atrium and public areas, including the bar and also the Clubhouse. The whole resort just feels more fresh now. From the moment you enter the staff are very polite and helpful. We were staying in a Fairmont Room which had a partial sea view. This was ideal for us for one night. King-size bed with enough room for a cot and a very large bathroom with shower and bath. The welcoming chocolates were also a nice touch.

Fairmont Room

Fairmont Room (please excuse the bags and clothes on the bed)

We arrived at the hotel at around 2pm so we decided to have some lunch in the Kittocks Den, which is the main bar as you walk in. The hotel was fairly quiet at this time due to the fact everyone is out playing golf on the hotels two course – The Kittocks and The Torrance. Lunch was nice and the waiter was extra helpful and full of chat.

Club sandwich in Kittocks Bar at Fairmont St Andrews

I had the Club Sandwich (and a pint of Peroni) which is always a favourite for me

After lunch we planned to use the leisure and spa facilities, however it appeared that an afternoon nap was the plan instead. (Turning 30 really seemed to have taken its toll on me). On our previous visit though we had used all the facilities which are fantastic. They have a proper spa (not just a pool with some treatment rooms). So if you are looking for a luxury spa break then Fairmont St Andrews would be the ideal location.

Spa at Fairmont St Andrews

Entrance to the Spa and leisure facilities

Because it was such a nice day we decided to take a walk down to the Clubhouse which sits on top of the cliff near the sea – such a fantastic location. We enjoyed a drink down here overlooking St Andrews Bay. There were a lot of golfers (particularly American) in and around the clubhouse – who were all really nice to talk to.

View of St Andrews Bay

View of St Andrews Bay

We were advised to book the St Andrews Bar & Grill restaurant for dinner which we did for 7pm. This is located down at the clubhouse and you have a choice of either dining here or in the hotel at either the Italian restaurant – La Cucina or the Kittocks Den (where we had our lunch earlier). Each guest staying on a dinner inclusive rate gets a £28.50 allocation to use towards their evening meal, which is enough to get 3-courses if you choose wisely.

Clubhouse Fairmont St Andrews

Seafood Platter at the St Andrew Bar & Grill

We decided to take the shuttle bus from the hotel to the clubhouse, this can be arranged by the concierge at the front door and is free. When we arrived the restaurant was already quite busy and a lot of tables already full – including a large group from Japan. We managed to get a table right next to the window, again looking over at St Andrews Bay. I decided to use my dinner allowance (and a little bit more) to get the Lobster, which was served with chips and a garlic and herb butter. Yum!

Lobster at St Andrews Bar and grill

Delightful Lobster at the St Andrews Bar & Grill

We just about managed to enjoy our meal before Harry decided he had enough of his high chair and wanted to go discover the restaurant! The large group of Japanese golfers took a real liking to him and he was fascinated by them too!

After our meal we walked back up to the hotel (about a 5 minute walk) which was nice to burn off the meal. It was straight to bed for us. Travelling with a young child now rules out sitting in the hotel bar until the small hours!

We all had a great night’s sleep – the beds are very comfortable.

The next day we headed to the Squire for breakfast which is based in the Atrium. I have to say as far as buffet breakfasts go – this has to be the best I have had. Massive selection of everything from continental items – bread, cheese, meats etc – to full cooked option. They also have a chef cooking omelettes fresh for anyone who wanted one.

Breakfast at Fairmont St Andrews

Full Scottish Breakfast at the Squire Restaurant

After breakfast it was time for us to head back home. Really wished we had stayed a second night to enjoy more of the facilities.

Overall this hotel is a fantastic location for any type of break. Even if you do not play golf (which I don’t) you can really enjoy a relaxing break here. Be prepared to spend while here though as being a 5-star resort food and drinks can be on the pricey side, however this is to be expected and as the old saying goes – you get what you pay for. I couldn’t fault any of the food we had during our stay and the service is what you would expect from this type of resort.

If you would like to experience some luxury then I would highly recommend a night or two here. We now run offers throughout the year which include dinner, breakfast and sometimes even discounts on golf and spa treatments. Visit the hotel page here for our latest deals and offers. Alternatively give us a call on 01357 529 129 where we can source the best prices for you.