RECREATION
St Andrews is a vibrant, picturesque town steeped in history and renowned for its academic excellence and home to St Andrews University. For many, St Andrews can only mean one thing - this is the 'Home of Golf', an international tourist destination with some of the best golf in the world and 45 courses within the general vicinity for golfers to explore.
Residents of Fairmont St Andrews, visitors and golfers can all enjoy the breathtaking cliff-top setting and stunning panoramic views over the 36 holes of its Torrance and Devlin courses designed to challenge professional and beginner alike and providing authentic Scottish golf experiences never to be forgotten. The Torrance Course is an Open Qualifying Course in 2010 and Fairmont St Andrews was voted in the Conde Naste readers' poll as 18th in the World's Top 100 Golf Resorts.
Fairmont St Andrews also recently partnered with the St Andrews Links Golf Academy to offer guests exclusive access to learn at the Academy or take instruction on-site at either of the 18-hole courses. The Kingsbarns Golf Links is only 10 minutes from Fairmont St Andrews and the Castle Course which opens in June 2008 is only 2 minutes away.
Courses also available in the area include The Old Course, the oldest golf course in the world which despite its reputation and status is one of the six public courses on St Andrews Links and is only 10 minutes from Fairmont St Andrews. The other public courses on St Andrews Links include the Jubilee, New Course, Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove.
Other nearby courses include - The Dukes (15 minutes), Crail Golf Links (15 minutes), Lundin Links (20 minutes), Leven Links (20 minutes), Elie (25 minutes) and Scotscraig (25 minutes).
If you are looking for a much more gentle pace then look no further than the Spa at Fairmont St Andrews which is the essence of tranquility. Home to a beautiful swimming pool, sauna and steam room. The Spa offers a series of aromatherapy and sensory-based treatments designed to soothe body and soul. If you like to be a little more active, our fully equipped fitness suite will help you burn off that excess energy on a range of technically advanced fitness equipment.
Although golf is the main attraction for many visitors, St Andrews and the neighboring towns throughout the Kingdom of Fife have plenty to offer as well. There are many other pursuits to be enjoyed within just a few miles of your hotel guest room. Horse-riding on the beach, quad biking along the rugged coastline, windsurfing, sailing and kite flying on the best beaches in Scotland. In fact, the beach scenes from the Academy Award winning film Chariots of Fire were filmed here. The East Sands and West Sands beaches are current 'Blue Flag' holders in recognition of their pristine quality and environmental stewardship.
Hiking and nature walks are also extremely popular, particularly with the Fife Coastal Path. This extensive network provides 80 continuous miles of trails along the beautiful shores of Eastern Scotland.
A 15-minute drive from Fairmont St Andrews is the breathtaking coastline known as the East Neuk of Fife. Fresh sea air, wide sweeping beaches, picturesque fishing villages with bustling harbours and a unique maritime heritage are all waiting to be discovered. Crail, Anstruther, St Monans, Elie and Pittenweem are all place names as picturesque as the villages themselves. Pittenweem's unique atmosphere has attracted many artists over the years and presently has approximately thirty artists resident in the village. There are several small galleries and shops showing exhibitions of mainly Scottish work; a perfect memento for hotel guests to take home with them. Or you can simply wander the streets of the town of St Andrews, your beautiful host for a meeting of mind and spirit.