Old Course Hotel Tees Off the 2026 Season by Unveiling Refurbishment to Guest Spaces
The iconic St Andrews hotel unveils its redesigned lobby, updated suites, new boutique, refreshed Pro Shop and Herbs coffee shop.
23rd April 2026
St Andrews’ iconic Old Course Hotel is welcoming guests for the new season with a series of enhancements that mark the latest phase of the five star hotel’s transformation.
At the heart of the updates is the newly redesigned lobby, created in collaboration with Richmond International. Inspired by the coastal landscape of St Andrews, the space blends revived wood panelling, textured layering, soft furnishings and contemporary lighting to create a sense of arrival that is both welcoming and elevated.
The season also introduces The Emporium, the hotel’s new boutique just off the lobby hosting a range of unique keepsakes to commemorate an unforgettable visit. Floor-to-ceiling glass and handcrafted timber displays showcase Scottish craftsmanship, luxury gifts and travel essentials in collaboration with premium brands like ANTA Scotland and Laura Thomas, offering guests a curated shopping experience that complements the hotel’s refined atmosphere.
Adding to the lifestyle offering, Herbs is a vibrant new addition to the hotel’s dining portfolio. Located just outside the hotel’s front door and designed to welcome both guests and locals, the standalone coffee shop introduces a relaxed, European-inspired concept rooted in wellbeing and community. Alongside classic coffees, teas, and bakes, the space introduces a wellness focused menu with barista-crafted specialty drinks including a fragrant rose vanilla latte or refreshing Hojicha Shaken Espresso – in addition to functional drinks like a coconut collagen latte or sea buckthorn citrus sparkle. A menu of freshly blended smoothies from berry & beetroot to a satisfying ‘green keeper’ with spinach, kale and green apple offer an on the go vitamin boost with the option to add collagen or protein.
Grab and go breakfast items like fresh pastries and chia seed pudding or bircher muesli ‘vitality cups’ provide lighter options while sandwiches and vibrant salad bowls are available for nutritious lunches using seasonal Scottish produce and locally sourced ingredients. Open from early morning, Herbs caters to everyone from golfers heading to the links to locals meeting for coffee or lunch, with both indoor and outdoor seating and a convenient takeaway hatch.
Golf of course remains central to the Old Course Hotel experience. The Pro Shop has reopened following a refurbishment that highlights premium apparel and equipment from brands including Peter Millar, Kjus, Glenmuir, Malbon and more, providing a polished, relaxed environment for guests heading out to the links. Both the Pro Shop and The Emporium have been designed in collaboration with leading architectural practice Unwin Jones Partnership.
In addition to the communal guest spaces, a selection of bedrooms have also undergone a refresh with new soft furnishings, while suites including the Penthouse suite and signature Royal & Ancient suite have undergone complete refurbishment with updated finishings and furnishings reflecting the soft textures and tranquil beauty of the natural landscape beyond.
Beyond its newly refreshed spaces, the Old Course Hotel’s seasonal programme adds a new layer to the guest experience, with an ongoing calendar of monthly summer Champagne brunch picnics in partnership with Veuve Clicquot beginning in May, alongside specialised wellness retreats and masterclasses to appeal to both locals and visitors from further afield.
Meanwhile daily delights can be enjoyed with any stay, like the 6 o’clock pour: a Road Hole Bar ritual where bartenders share a complimentary taster of a classic cocktail or fine wine each evening, or the home comforts menu allowing guests to order anything from warm cookies and milk, to yoga mats, to recommended summer reads straight to their room.
Phyllis Wilkie, General Manager, Old Course Hotel, said:
“This season marks an important moment as we unveil new and refreshed spaces that elevate the guest journey from the moment of arrival. From the redesigned lobby to The Emporium and our new Pro Shop, each space has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance comfort, style and experience. Herbs adds a vibrant, contemporary dining spot to the hotel, offering guests and the local community a relaxed place to enjoy coffee, food and shared experiences.
Our new spaces, combined with an exciting programme of events for 2026, form part of an ongoing commitment to consistently elevate our guests’ experience while keeping the same features that make a visit to Old Course Hotel so special. The addition of Herbs is particularly exciting, bringing a more relaxed, community-focused dimension to the hotel and creating a coffee shop space that feels as welcoming to locals as it is to our guests.”
These enhancements build on a period of significant investment, including the refreshed fourth-floor dining spaces and the 2025 reopening of Kohler Waters Spa, which features Scotland’s most advanced contrast-therapy thermal facilities.
With renewed spaces, expanded experiences and a refreshed sense of arrival, the Old Course Hotel enters the season blending contemporary luxury with its long-standing reputation for warm Scottish hospitality and world-class golf.
Discover the refreshed Old Course Hotel with stays from £325 for two people, including breakfast.
For more information, visit www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
About Old Course Hotel
In the heart of historic St Andrews, overlooking the legendary golf course and the stunning Fife coast, the Old Course Hotel is recognised as one of Europe's leading luxury hotels. Home to world-class golf, the award-winning Kohler Waters Spa, an array of beach & leisure activities, and celebrated restaurants & bars, this is a destination for active wellbeing and indulgent good times. The luxury resort features recently renovated dining venues, including the Road Hole Restaurant, Road Hole Bar and The Deck, alongside three other restaurants and bars. Following extensive refurbishments, these spaces now offer enhanced experiences for guests seeking both culinary excellence and sophisticated atmospheres.
Owned by Kohler Co, Old Course Hotel is a luxury five-star property in St Andrews, with 175 bedrooms including 34 suites, offering breathtaking views of the Fife coastline. St Andrews is renowned for golf worldwide. The hotel is set on a Championship 18-hole golf course - The Old Course, which is the oldest course in the world.
The hotel's Kohler Waters Spa and fitness centre spans 2,300 sq m and features 13 treatment rooms, a 20m pool, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and innovative facilities including an Espuro Foam steam room and Snow and Sauna Cabin. The spa is also home to its own wellness-focused spa café, a gym and fitness centre. Wedding and events spaces complete the luxury resort offering.
The hotel also operates Hamilton Grand, a prestigious historic property featuring 27 exclusive twobedroom apartments, overlooking the 18th green of the world-famous Old Course and the iconic West Sands beach. Of these, ten are available for rent as self-catering accommodations. Guests at Hamilton Grand enjoy full access to all fitness and leisure facilities at the Old Course Hotel, access to a nearby helipad, and a dedicated 24-hour concierge service for dining reservations, transportation arrangements, and personal requests. For further information, visit: https://www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/
Old Course Hotel is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection, the ultimate portfolio of exceptional properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations. Globally sophisticated and culturally refined, the singular properties within this collection feature exquisite accommodations, stellar and intuitive personal service, renowned dining, and exceptional spas, setting the stage for the most unforgettable experiences. All guests of Old Course Hotel are eligible to enrol in the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program, which extends points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, and special benefits at more than 650 participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide.
Address: Old Station Rd, St Andrews KY16 9SP
