Fairmont St Andrews Hotel
The hotel at St Andrews Bay 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.
Spa
Covering a large expanse of the hotel’s lower ground area, the Fairmont Spa’s suites and rooms are warm and decorated in natural tones, using driftwood and colour from the surrounding seascape to bring as much of the outside environment inside. A 16 metre pool and extensively equipped gym adjoin and plans are afoot to have the latter look out over the dunes.
The Spa has all the facilities you need for detox, refreshing, rejuvenation, which draw on the surrounding sea and fresh air, as well as the proximity of golf!
There are 8 full body experiences and five facials available, plus nine different kinds of massage. The names are suitably highland and filled with mystique – Celtic Harmony, Whisper of the Wind, and Crest of the Cliff involve scrubs, massages, exfoliation treatments using a variety of oils, minerals and hot stones, the details of which can be found here.
Golf
There are two courses at St Andrews Bay which stretch out along the shoreline, the recently renamed Kittocks Course, which reflects the abundant wildlife of the surrounding landscape, specifically the family of protected deer, and the Torrance, currently undergoing radical surgery in preparation for use as a qualifying course for the 2010 Open.
Food & Drink
Gene Sarazen was one of only four golfers to win all four major championships but his impeccable manners, combined with a decision to become a gentleman farmer, earned him the name “The Squire”. The hotel’s main restaurant is named in his honour.
Sitting between the two golf courses, The Clubhouse has a 360 degree panoramic view of all the activity, plus uninterrupted sight over the cliffs and seascape. It’s quite breathtaking and if you’ve chosen to walk down from the hotel, it offers decent breakfasting and lunch too.
The destination restaurant is Esperante, (“Hope, Spirit and Love”) which sits at the luxurious end of the spectrum. The room is darkly handsome, warm reds and rustic browns to keep out any wintry weather and remind the diner that the deep, pungent flavours of Tuscany are being offered for your delight.
Kittocks Den is the hotel's atmospheric lounge, the dark leather chairs and deep comfy sofas, driftwood décor and oversized tables for sipping cocktails before dinner the result of a recent refurb.
Contact tel: +44 1334 837000, fax: +44 1334 471115, e-mail:
Cost standard double room: £100 - £200 per night, suite: £200 - £500 per night
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, near beach, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, pets accepted, room service, business services, internet access
Useful links
Fairmont St Andrews Bay Hotel website
Added 2008/10/31 @ 12:50:05
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