St Andrews Bay: Flee the City for a weekend of Golf and Spa
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Even if you’ve never held a golf club in your hand the chances are you know that the epicentre and absolute nirvana of the golf world is St Andrews in Scotland. A place where grown men, and women, come to worship the very ground on which they’re about to tee off. There’s always been more – a University for example – but now there’s a lot more…
OK. WE’RE HERE.
People generally come to St Andrews for one of two reasons. Did I mention golf? And going to University? Members of the Royal Family like it here too, they’ve got castles and stuff not that far away.
In the mind of the average Joe, St Andrews is more akin to Augusta, Georgia, or Pebble Beach, California. It’s where Tiger Woods wins cups and sports TV spends day after day following play.
In reality, St Andrews is a pretty coastal town in Fife near little holiday resorts like Crail and Anstruther, small and unassuming. Off the beaten track.
But St Andrews has grown significantly, with the addition of a major hotel resort (and golf course, natch) which has married the modern world with Fife’s ancient coast. St Andrew’s Bay really is more akin to Augusta and Pebble Beach.
How to get here
St Andrews is north of Edinburgh (via the Forth Bridge) or south of Dundee (via the Tay Bridge). A short, picturesque drive from each, particularly from the airports, which are on the right side.
Of all airlines, Air France have the best service from London City Airport which means that flying up is simple. London City isn’t exactly the capital’s best kept secret – it’s celebrating 25 years in business so they must be doing something right – but compared to it’s bigger brothers, London City is a pleasant experience: small (but growing), no queues, charming staff, and it’s own DLR station for fast travel from Central London. (By the way, Air France has a cool desktop widget with travel reviews from, ahem, other websites. Anyway, it's nice to see an airline dip its toe into the 21st century).
Car Hire at Edinburgh and Dundee is best arranged through Arnold Clark, the Scottish company, although at Edinburgh all the companies are represented.
STAY WHERE?
St Andrews, unlike its coastal neighbours, bustles all year round. Residents are well used to the battalions of golfers and students making merry all the time – it means there’s an oversupply of quality hostelries for a start. But just outside of town the new resort is a destination in itself.
The St Andrews Hotel has a commanding position overlooking the sea, but is almost hidden from view to passing motorists by acres of surrounding dunes and its own golf courses (natch). This is a Fairmont Hotel, who recently brought London’s Savoy into their global chain, replicating the original Canadian luxe, where their grandest properties have royal suites should the Queen drop by (again).
It’s large, state of the art, and accommodates golfers, diners, spa-enthusiasts, with a rich blend of Scottish hospitality and North American service. The property itself is vast, over 200 rooms and suites, but it barely scratches the surrounding space - grassy sand dunes, crashing waves, deep blue skies (even when it’s cold). There are resorts not unlike this up and down the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards of the US. There aren’t any others in Fife.
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Useful links
Air France website
Buy Scotland the Best from Amazon.co.uk
Fairmont St Andrews Bay Hotel website
Golf Courses at the Fairmont St Andrews Hotel
Spa at the Fairmont St Andrews Hotel
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