According to local legend, Hamilton Grand, one of St Andrews’s most iconic edifices, was built to settle a score. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club had apparently refused membership to the Scottish businessman Thomas Hamilton, so, in an attempt to quite literally overshadow it, he decided to erect a bigger, more imposing building right next to the R&A clubhouse.
The Grand Hotel, as it was originally known, opened in 1895, at a time when St Andrews was fast becoming a popular tourist destination. It was built on the site of the Union Parlour, the world’s first known golfers’ club, and was the first property in Scotland to have a pneumatic elevator, as well as hot and cold water in every bathroom. Built of distinctive red sandstone, the Grand Hotel was an architectural sensation, bringing a great splash of colour to the Auld Grey Toon. Its glittering clientele included King Edward VIII, King George VI, Bing Crosby and Rudyard Kipling (who is believed to have invented “snow golf” while living in Vermont).
During the Second World War, the Air Ministry requisitioned the hotel, transforming it into a training headquarters for the Royal Air Force. The University of St Andrews acquired the building in 1949 and used it as student residence until it was sold in 2004. A period of uncertainty followed before Kohler Co. purchased it in 2009, stripping it back to its outer shell as part of a painstaking four-year renovation.
Today, Hamilton Grand consists of 27 privately owned apartments, which, according to Savills estate agency, have generated the highest price per square foot of any residential property in Scotland. Country Life magazine described them as the finest flats in St Andrews.
“We’re lucky enough to manage some of the apartments as part of our rental programme,” says Orelye Brunini, front-of-house manager at Hamilton Grand. “It’s a different experience, perfect for guests who want to be in town, but still enjoy everything the hotel has to offer. They’re all two-bedroom apartments, so we get lots of golf buddies, people on business and parents helping their kids settle in at the university. It’s great for people looking to stay for a slightly extended period.”
In addition to the considerable home comforts, guests at Hamilton Grand can use the facilities at the Kohler Fitness Centre, including the 20-metre pool. They also have access to a helipad two miles away, 24-hour butler service and car service reservations on the KOHLER Waters Spa menu, plus a host of other perks.
Hamilton Grand is a stone’s throw from the 18th hole of the Old Course, so all the apartments offer stunning views – either out to West Sands Beach or towards the castle ruins. Choose one with a terrace and you’ll also get the best seat in town for enjoying the golf – just mind your head, Fore!
