The Old Course Hotel, Fife
Old Station Road, St Andrews, Fife
The Old Course is a very established hotel with a very young attitude to keeping children happy - take advantage!
The Old Course Hotel is steeped in golfing tradition. Situated in the historical and lovely town of St. Andrews, renowned worldwide as "The Home of Golf", with no less than 10 courses in the immediate area and more than 30 within a half-hour's drive, the hotel provides relaxing, luxurious family holidays too!
Championship courses in the immediate area include the famous Old Course, the New Course, Kingsbarns and the hotel's own heathland course, The Duke's. Within driving distance is Carnoustie and Open qualifying courses such as Crail and Lundin Links.
But there is more - much more ... with the launch of the Luxury Kids package you can all benefit from the fine sea air, the astonishing views, the extremely elegant surroundings, the truly indulgent spa treatments (check out the web-site, the spa is fantastic), the fabulous food and the golf!
You know it's going to be ok when the children are greeted with huge grins and the suggestion that they ‘check-in'. The welcome is immensely warm from all the staff - naturally for adults but particularly for little ones - which is a joy. A welcome pack to occupy them whilst the adults swiftly deal with the real thing helps enormously.
The Luxury Kids package is defined by three age groups - Babies, Kids and Teens. Dependent on age children are provided with a range of things to occupy them during their stay. Babies are indulged with luxury massaging cots, complete with musical mobile and changing area, baby bath with thermometer, toweling robe and bath mitt, an Old Course Hotel teddy bear and duck (to take home) and a "Simple" baby care set (to take home). Practically a bottle warmer and potty are also provided. Complimentary baby food is available in the Sands Restaurant.
Children between the ages of three and 12 years receive a welcome book, an individual gift in their room on arrival, the Old Course Hotel teddy bear and duck to take home, cosy robes and slippers to relax in, hotel quizzes which send them exploring around the hotel searching for clues, a play pack with colouring books and pens (to take home but very useful for in the restaurant), kiddies newspaper, Scottish-themed books, such as "Hairy MacLary" and "Maisie's Mystery Tour", toy boxes appropriate to age, board games and DVDs for hire and Splash time in the Spa swimming pool (daily, 2-4pm). For teenagers a play station and games are also available to hire as well as VIP food and beverage options.
It would be rude not to, thus professional golf lessons at the Duke's are available to children at a cost of £20. The whole family can scrub up on technique whilst baby gets a freak hole in one!
The beach is literally beyond the green - bucket and spade provided - for running off some steam and enjoying the fresh air or else there are umpteen places to visit to keep the children occupied locally including the Sea Life Centre and St Andrews Aquarium; the Himalayas Putting Green and East Sands Leisure Centre.
As you would expect the food options for all the family are fabulous. The children's menu is freshly prepared with a good choice of healthy options. Desserts are good too! A baby-sitting service can be arranged should you wish to dine alone later. With six places to eat around the hotel most food options are covered; you can choose from the very relaxed to very fine dining.
The end of the day? I didn't ascertain when it might close but there may be the option to toast your stay with champagne - on the roof whilst in the hot tub - why not?
1 review(s) for The Old Course Hotel
Melissa Colclough - Cheshire writes: on 28 February 2009
After travelling from Stockport to St Andrews with 1 tired husband, 2 very excited children, 1 restless 20 month old toddler, 97 toilet breaks etc., to say I was glad to be at a 5 star hotel for the weekend was an understatement. The moment we arrived I knew we were going to have a fantastic time. We were greeted at the hotel by Winston (complete with kilt) and immediately he made us all feel very welcome. The lobby was just as a 5 star hotel should be, beautifully decorated, beautiful furniture with lit candles and gorgeous fresh flowers. Whilst hubby and I checked-in, the girls registered at their very own check-in desk, complete with check-in cards (the girls said they felt like royalty)!
Our luggage was taken to our suite (and as you can imagine Louis Vuitton we were not! Baby changing box, Barbie rucksacks etc.) but we were never made to feel unwelcome.
Our suite was beautiful, the children had 1 side with a very large and comfy pull out sofa bed, complete with 3 gorgeous teddy bears sleeping under the duvet (which they were allowed to keep). Our baby has a luxurious travel cot complete with personal baby bath, towels, flannels and complimentary baby bathing items! They also had their own television, dvd player, en-suite bathroom, and yes, more presents! The girls were flabbergasted, although the luxurious marble tables, balcony and hot towel rail made it slightly un-toddler friendly.
Our section of the suite was lovely, we had a huge king size bed which you could happily view our own television (so there was no fighting over which channel to view), our en-suite was fabulous, we had a huge jacuzzi bath which all 5 of us fitted in and a luxurious power shower.
That night we all had dinner at the Sands Restaurant within the hotel. The food was delicious! The menu for adults was mouth-watering, the childrens menu (with "realistic" food) also included a mini munchers section - everyone was happy! Highchairs are provided, although simple things like children's cutlery and plates would have added a special touch!
The following day we woke up to a beautiful sunny day, we pulled back the curtains to find our suite overlooked the Old Course 17th / 18th hole! Hubby was estatic!!! We dressed and made our way to breakfast which was super delicious. The hotel had organised a treasure hunt around the hotel, so off we went in search of clues, our prizes were 2 kites, so we immediately made our way to a very windy beach which is a stone's throw from the hotel.
That afternoon we made our way to the hotel's spa (all donning our soft fluffy bathrobes and bouncy slippers - the children also had these), which was truly relaxing, but by late evening we were all exhausted, so we decided to sample the hotel's "private dining" (room service to you and me). Again the food was delicious, and after dinner baby and hubby fell fast asleep, so the girls and I decided to don our glad rags and went to sample some "mocktails".
Sunday was our last day (boo hoo), we breakfasted like kings again and decided to walk off the excess on The Old Course. As the Course still belongs to the people of St. Andrews it is closed on a Sunday, it felt very strange being able to walk (and push a buggy) on one of the most famous golf courses in the world! Then we went to have morning coffee in the hotel library, where the girls learned to play chess and draughts, whilst the baby had a little nap.
We had a wonderful weeked at the Old Course, adults and children over the age of 4 (as at present there are no play areas for toddlers) would have a fabulous time, however any longer than this would result in a very empty bank account! The hotel employees (especially Tracey and Winston) were very friendly, very helpful and very understanding!!
The thought of driving back to Manchester was gloomy, so we decided to break up the journey by visiting Edinburgh Castle on our way home, which the children loved. Scotland is a truly beautiful country and although it is a long way to go, the journey there is a real treat.
