The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews commands one of the most famous views in golf: a position overlooking the 17th Road Hole and 18th fairway of the Old Course. This five-star resort, owned by Kohler Co. since 2004, has undergone a series of major renovations between 2021 and 2026 that have reshaped its rooms, spa, and public spaces. This guide draws on official records, industry reporting, and guest reviews to provide a fact-based look at the hotel’s current state, its history, and what the phased refurbishment programme means for travellers.
Last checked: 2026-07-08
Hotel name: Old Course Hotel · Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland · Star rating: 5-star · Rooms: 175 · Key amenities: Luxury spa, 20-yard swimming pool, award-winning restaurant
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-08.
Sources reviewed: official hotel website, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Forbes, Boutique Hotelier, European Spa Magazine, Spa Business, Undiscovered Scotland, The Luxury Editor, PerryGolf blog, Hotel Scotland, The Golf Wire, Historic Hotels Worldwide.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification. Data current as of 2025; reviews span multiple years.
Snapshot: What we know for certain
- Overlooks the 17th (Road Hole) and 18th fairways of the Old Course, plus West Sands Beach (Undiscovered Scotland)
- Five Gold Stars from VisitScotland and five Red Stars from the AA (Undiscovered Scotland)
- Multi-million-pound expansion completed in 2021 adding 31 guest rooms; £8 million Kohler Waters Spa renovation in 2024–2025; hotel closed from 4 January 2026 for lobby and bedroom upgrades (The Luxury Editor, Spa Business, Boutique Hotelier)
- Only Kohler Waters Spa outside the United States (European Spa Magazine)
What makes the Old Course Hotel famous?
Built in 1968, the Old Course Hotel was a modern addition to a medieval town. Its fame rests on three pillars: position, prestige, and the luxurious ambition of its owner. The hotel sits directly between the 17th Road Hole and the 18th fairway of the Old Course at St Andrews, a public links that has hosted The Open Championship more times than any other venue (Forbes). This adjacency means that from many rooms and the top-floor Road Hole Grill, guests watch golfers navigate the most photographed par-4 in the sport.
Kohler Co., the American plumbing and fixtures company, purchased the hotel in 2004 and folded it into its Destination Kohler portfolio. Under Kohler’s ownership, the property has maintained a five-star standing: VisitScotland awards five Gold Stars, and the AA grants five Red Stars. These ratings place the hotel among the top-rated properties in Scotland.
The hotel’s Kohler Waters Spa is the only one of its kind outside the United States. This exclusivity, combined with the property’s direct relationship to the Old Course, gives it a distinct position among St Andrews luxury accommodations. It regularly appears in the same tier as the Rusacks Hotel and Fairmont St Andrews in golf travel rankings (PerryGolf blog).
The bottom line: The Old Course Hotel’s fame is not manufactured — it is structurally determined by its position beside the most famous stretch of the Old Course and by its ownership’s willingness to invest at a level that secures the highest independent ratings.
What are the key facilities at the Old Course Hotel?
After the 2021 expansion, the hotel claimed 144 rooms: 109 bedrooms and 35 suites. Some accounts from the official website suggest the total is now 175 rooms; the discrepancy may reflect room reconfigurations during the multi-phase renovation. The fourth-floor penthouse, added in 2021, offers the highest uninterrupted views across the Old Course and the Fife coastline.
Dining
The Road Hole Grill on the top floor relaunched with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Old Course. The Conservatory was extended by 20 feet to seat up to 190 guests during the 2021 works. Two additional outlets — the Jigger Inn and Hams Hame — operate as more casual dining and drinking spaces and have remained open through most renovation phases.
Spa and pool
Kohler Waters Spa reopened in late September 2025 after a five-month, £8 million renovation. The upgraded facility features a KLAFS-designed snow and sauna cabin and the UK’s first Espuro Foam Experience steam room (Boutique Hotelier). The property also includes a 20-yard swimming pool and Kohler Fitness centre.
Events
The Hall of Champions event space was redesigned in 2021 to host up to 450 guests for dinners or conferences.
What this means: The hotel’s facilities have been fundamentally upgraded since 2021. The spa renovation in particular — with its contrast therapy technology and exclusive KLAFS equipment — positions the property as a wellness destination, not just a golf hotel.
Is the Old Course Hotel closing for renovation?
Yes, the hotel closed its main operations from 4 January 2026 for a few weeks to complete the next phase of a multi-million-pound renovation. This phase focuses on the lobby, the R&A Suite, and selected bedrooms.
What is changing
The lobby redesign is led by interior design studio Richmond International. Planned changes include reinstating original wood panelling, adding textured wallpapers, and new soft furnishings and lighting (Hotel Scotland). A new lobby-adjacent boutique, The Emporium, will sell Scottish-made gifts and homeware, and the Pro-Shop layout is being refreshed. Various bedrooms are receiving new carpets, curtains, and soft furnishings.
What stays open
During the early 2026 closure, the Jigger Inn, Hams Hame, Kohler Waters Spa, and Kohler Fitness remained open to guests. Spa days were sold in a defined daily time window of 10:00–17:00 from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (Old Course Hotel official site). During the May to late summer 2024 spa refurbishment, the hydro pool, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool were temporarily closed while the spa pool and fitness pool remained available.
What to watch: The 2026 phase is relatively short compared to the 2024–2025 spa renovation, but it affects the central arrival experience (lobby and retail). Room refurbishments are ongoing and staggered across multiple years, meaning not every guest will experience the same level of freshness.
Where is the Old Course Hotel located?
The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa is located in the heart of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Its address is on the Old Course itself, bordering the 17th Road Hole and the 18th fairway. It also overlooks West Sands Beach, the long stretch of sand made famous in the opening scene of Chariots of Fire.
The hotel is within walking distance of St Andrews town centre, the British Golf Museum, and the University of St Andrews. For golfers, the position is central: the Old Course starts and finishes at the nearby Royal & Ancient clubhouse, and the hotel’s Pro-Shop offers direct access to tee-sheet logistics.
The implication: The hotel’s location is its strongest asset. No other five-star property in St Andrews sits directly on the Old Course fairways. For visitors prioritising proximity to the golf, the trade-off is that it sits slightly outside the compact medieval centre (a 10-minute walk).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hotel name | Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa |
| Location | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Star rating | 5-star (VisitScotland 5 Gold Stars; AA 5 Red Stars) |
| Rooms | 175 (post-2021 expansion; 144 reported in 2022 sources) |
| Key amenities | Kohler Waters Spa, 20-yard swimming pool, Road Hole Grill, Kohler Fitness, Jigger Inn, Hams Hame, The Emporium boutique |
| Year built | 1968 |
| Owner | Kohler Co. (since 2004) |
| Recent renovation phases | 2021 (expansion + 31 rooms); 2024–2025 (spa, £8m); Jan 2026 (lobby, bedrooms, boutique) |
Pros and cons of the Old Course Hotel
What guests praise
TripAdvisor reviews in mid-2026 describe the renovated spa as excellent and a standout feature. Guests consistently highlight the calm ambience, attentive service, and friendly staff (TripAdvisor). For golfers, rooms overlooking the Old Course are frequently recommended on Scotland travel forums as an ideal “splurge” stay (Scotland Travel Group on Facebook).
What guests question
Some TripAdvisor reviews question visible cleanliness and value relative to the reported £8 million spa spend. Several guests reported being told of a future £30–£40 charge for three hours’ spa use, which may indicate a shift in pricing policy post-renovation. The same reviews note that the hotel’s standards and views “exceed typical guest expectations even at elite price points.”
Our pick: Who should stay at the Old Course Hotel?
Our recommendation: The Old Course Hotel is the strongest choice in St Andrews for three specific traveller types. Golf enthusiasts who want rooms overlooking the Old Course and direct access to the Road Hole will find the location unmatched. Luxury travellers who prioritise a full-service resort with a five-star spa, multiple dining outlets, and high independent ratings will be well served by the post-renovation property. History buffs interested in the lineage of championship golf at the Old Course will appreciate the hotel’s position on the course itself.
But caveats apply: If your priority is a prime location directly beside the 18th green with a historic coaching-inn feel, the Rusacks Hotel is a closer competitor. If you prioritise newer-build rooms away from the course with a larger spa, Fairmont St Andrews may offer a different value proposition. The Old Course Hotel is best for those who want the golf course as the centrepiece of their stay.
Timeline: Key dates in the Old Course Hotel’s renovation programme
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Hotel constructed and opens overlooking the Old Course |
| 2004 | Kohler Co. acquires the hotel |
| 2021 | Multi-million-pound expansion completed: 31 new rooms, penthouse, extended Conservatory, redesigned Hall of Champions |
| 2022 | 144 rooms in operation; Road Hole Grill relaunched with floor-to-ceiling windows |
| 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 | Spa Days offered in window 10:00–17:00 |
| 13 May – late summer 2024 | Spa hydro pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge closed for refurbishment |
| 2024 | £8 million Kohler Waters Spa renovation unveiled ahead of Global Wellness Summit |
| 29 Sep 2025 (approx.) | Kohler Waters Spa reopens after five-month renovation; KLAFS snow & sauna cabin, Espuro Foam steam room introduced |
| 4 Jan 2026 | Hotel closes for a few weeks for lobby, R&A Suite, bedroom, and boutique renovation (Richmond International design) |
Related reading: The Belfry Hotel & Resort · Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Those planning a visit to St Andrews should consult our comprehensive Old Course Hotel review for an in-depth look at the hotel’s amenities and recent updates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Old Course Hotel’s phone number?
Listed on the official website at oldcoursehotel.co.uk. The hotel does not publish a direct reservations number in publicly available records for this review.
What is the Old Course Hotel’s email address?
Available via the official contact form on the hotel’s website. A general email address is not publicly listed in industry sources used for this article.
What is on the menu at the Old Course Hotel’s restaurant?
The award-winning Road Hole Grill features a seasonal menu; details are posted on the official website and updated regularly. The Jigger Inn and Hams Hame offer pub-style dining with a focus on local Scottish produce.
Can you walk around the Old Course at St Andrews?
Yes. The Old Course is a public links golf course. Foot access is permitted along the fairways outside of play. The 17th hole (Road Hole) runs directly past the hotel, making it one of the most photographed walking routes in golf.
Who is Peter Matkovich?
Peter Matkovich is a golf course architect featured on Top 100 Golf Courses. He is not directly associated with the Old Course Hotel or the Old Course itself, but appears in search results related to golf course design.