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Fairmont St Andrews
St. Andrews KY16 8PN Scotland
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Avg. $579 /night, 3/19 - 3/20
$1,007
per night
$744
per night
$480
per night
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About
#8 of 15 hotels in St. Andrews
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Set on a 520 acre estate with a unique coastal setting, Fairmont St Andrews has something for everyone. From lavish rooms to a luxurious spa, championship golf to exquisite dining, our five star attention to detail is unsurpassed. Enjoy the views overlooking the medieval St Andrews and the North Sea. Play golf on The Torrance and The Kittocks or wind down in our Fairmont Spa with locally themed treatments using the finest Ishga Skin Care products. Indulge in delicate pastries and cakes in our Fairmont Afternoon Tea experience served in the Atrium Lounge with a rich colour scheme and nautical elements that reflect the surrounding landscape including a lighting installation by renowned artist George Singer. We guarantee your stay will become a treasured memory!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Golf course
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Parking
Wifi
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Sauna
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Bar / lounge
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Wine / champagne
Kids club
Free shuttle or taxi services
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Head massage
Massage
Steam room
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Butler service
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Allergy-free room
Air conditioning
Additional bathroom
Housekeeping
Room service
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Safe
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Ocean view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Modern
Languages Spoken
English, Polish
Location
St. Andrews KY16 8PN Scotland
Getting there
144 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
Reviews
4.0
5,322 reviews
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Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Fairmont St Andrews offers guests a tranquil atmosphere and stunning scenery, highly appreciated by many who have visited. However, guests have called out the hotel for not living up to its price point, noting overpriced amenities and variable service levels.
While the amenities, like the spa and pool, are generally well-received, some reviewers warn of service shortcomings and maintenance needs. The hotel's cleanliness generally earns high marks, despite occasional lapses, but the rooms, although spacious, have been criticized for feeling dated and sometimes poorly maintained.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Mixed
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
A beautiful large hotel with stunning views over the greens to the north sea. We stayed in a deluxe sea view room which was excellent with an absolutely fabulous bathroom ~ one of the best we have enjoyed in any hotel. Breakfast was very good and an excellent egg/ omelette station. A glass of bubbly would have been nice as a holiday treat but not on offer sadly. Service was first rate throughout the hotel with one exception. A big let down for us was that our room was not cleaned or serviced and on returning late in the day to change and go out for dinner, we found the bed was unmade, no fresh towels, used cups etc which was very disappointing given nightly rates for our room. We tried calling on the room telephone to rectify this but no answer, so an extra walk to Reception where there was no apology and just mild surprise from the Receptionist at our request to have a basic, quick room tidy and re-fresh. A room attendant arrived shortly after and did an excellent quick clean up and replenished towels etc. We noticed there is no turn-down here which is a pity as well. One other issue regarding our room was the stuck wardrobe door which literally fell off in my partners hands. This was quickly rectified by a handyman who attended quickly and fixed the problem efficiently. We ate in La Cucina Italian and thoroughly enjoyed the meal and enjoyed the ambience and service at Kittocks Den and the Clubhouse. The free shuttle service to and from town is super and a great way to connect with the many restaurants and bars available there. We were granted a late check out which was very much appreciated. We would definitely recommend this hotel, and a few small improvements would really make a world of difference.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 6 Aug 2024
Thank you for providing feedback on your recent stay at Fairmont St Andrews. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the stunning views, deluxe sea view room, and excellent breakfast experience. Your kind words about the service are truly appreciated. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you faced with the room cleaning and maintenance issues. Please rest assured that your feedback has been shared with the relevant teams for internal review and improvement. We are glad that the situations were promptly addressed once highlighted. Your comments regarding the bubbly treat, turn-down service, and room maintenance have been duly noted for our continuous enhancement. We are thrilled that you had a wonderful dining experience and enjoyed our shuttle service. It would be our pleasure to welcome you back in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Another excellent stay at the Fairmont St. Andrews.
We received an excellent welcome and check-in from Edward, who made us feel as though we were checking in for a month in the Kingdom of Fife Suite (the staff who were observing him at the time will do well to learn from his approach).
The room was again spacious, clean and well-decorated. We also always enjoy the spacious bathrooms and large rainfall showers in the rooms.
The hotel is very relaxing, with low lighting and a calm and peaceful aura filling the hotel in the evenings. There is no rowdy golfers, busy bars or needless music as one might expect.
We also made use of the pool – large and clean, with plenty of comfortable deckchairs and seating. Soft clean towels were also regularly being replaced so there was always a fresh warm towel available.
The food was again excellent – the fillet stroganoff sandwich is exceptional. The a la carte menu for breakfast is also a nice new touch. The buffet again had plenty of hot food and the meat, eggs and haggis were of excellent quality. We were also greeted and looked after by Naomi each morning, she was excellent and went out of her way to ensure that we had a comfortable dining experience. Her service made the difference and pushed the experience into the 5-star category.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our three nights and hope to return in the new year.
We received an excellent welcome and check-in from Edward, who made us feel as though we were checking in for a month in the Kingdom of Fife Suite (the staff who were observing him at the time will do well to learn from his approach).
The room was again spacious, clean and well-decorated. We also always enjoy the spacious bathrooms and large rainfall showers in the rooms.
The hotel is very relaxing, with low lighting and a calm and peaceful aura filling the hotel in the evenings. There is no rowdy golfers, busy bars or needless music as one might expect.
We also made use of the pool – large and clean, with plenty of comfortable deckchairs and seating. Soft clean towels were also regularly being replaced so there was always a fresh warm towel available.
The food was again excellent – the fillet stroganoff sandwich is exceptional. The a la carte menu for breakfast is also a nice new touch. The buffet again had plenty of hot food and the meat, eggs and haggis were of excellent quality. We were also greeted and looked after by Naomi each morning, she was excellent and went out of her way to ensure that we had a comfortable dining experience. Her service made the difference and pushed the experience into the 5-star category.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our three nights and hope to return in the new year.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 30 Dec 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback regarding your recent stay at Fairmont St Andrews. We are delighted to hear that you received a warm welcome from Edward and that he contributed positively to your check-in experience. Your kind remarks about our spacious and well-decorated rooms, as well as the tranquil atmosphere of the hotel, are greatly appreciated. We are also pleased that you enjoyed our pool facilities and the quality of our dining options, particularly your praise for the fillet stroganoff sandwich and the breakfast service provided by Naomi. It is gratifying to know that her attentiveness enhanced your experience. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year for another relaxing stay.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
I booked a 1 night midweek stay with my wife. As a member of the ALL Accor loyalty scheme I was pleased to receive a complementary room upgrade and arrival drinks as part of the booking; if you can achieve Gold status in the loyalty scheme I would definitely recommend it.
The hotel benefits from a beautiful location and has a spectacular view north toward St Andrews. If you like golf then it’s a great place to stay although there is only a 10% discount off the rack rate for tee times so if you plan on playing then it’s worth looking at a package that includes a round of golf.
The room was spacious and clean with comfortable sofas and a very nice double bed. My one criticism would be it was rather dark and could perhaps do with a few more lights or more powerful lightbulbs, however, this is just my personal taste.
The breakfast was a real treat; a massive array of pork products and a well stocked buffet bar was another part of our stay that we both really enjoyed.
The staff were the standout feature for me. Edward and Levinne on Reception made our check-in experience smooth and pleasant and recognised our ALL Accor status. Katie in Kittocks Bar was friendly and engaging whilst Tam and Florian on the concierge desk were very helpful with our luggage and general stay requirements.
One thing I would highlight is the cost; most of my stays in high end hotels are in the Middle East so I do find the price of such establishments in the UK somewhat over the top but I don’t think the Fairmont is unique in this and in many ways I’ve found paying double the price for a UK hotel often results in far more than twice the satisfaction with the experience.
Overall, for me the stay was expensive but worth it. The staff are a real assets to the hotel.
The hotel benefits from a beautiful location and has a spectacular view north toward St Andrews. If you like golf then it’s a great place to stay although there is only a 10% discount off the rack rate for tee times so if you plan on playing then it’s worth looking at a package that includes a round of golf.
The room was spacious and clean with comfortable sofas and a very nice double bed. My one criticism would be it was rather dark and could perhaps do with a few more lights or more powerful lightbulbs, however, this is just my personal taste.
The breakfast was a real treat; a massive array of pork products and a well stocked buffet bar was another part of our stay that we both really enjoyed.
The staff were the standout feature for me. Edward and Levinne on Reception made our check-in experience smooth and pleasant and recognised our ALL Accor status. Katie in Kittocks Bar was friendly and engaging whilst Tam and Florian on the concierge desk were very helpful with our luggage and general stay requirements.
One thing I would highlight is the cost; most of my stays in high end hotels are in the Middle East so I do find the price of such establishments in the UK somewhat over the top but I don’t think the Fairmont is unique in this and in many ways I’ve found paying double the price for a UK hotel often results in far more than twice the satisfaction with the experience.
Overall, for me the stay was expensive but worth it. The staff are a real assets to the hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 21 Oct 2024
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback about your recent stay at Fairmont St Andrews. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the great location, excellent staff, and the complimentary room upgrade as a member of the ALL Accor loyalty scheme. Your kind words about our team members Edward, Levinne, Katie, Tam, and Florian are truly appreciated. We have noted your feedback about the room lighting and will take it into consideration for future improvements. It's wonderful to know that you found the breakfast and overall experience worth the cost. We value your loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable stay.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have stayed many times at the Fairmount and one of the things we particularly enjoy is the breakfast - however on this stay, the breakfast was very poor. We arrived at 10am (service stops at 10.30am) - and found the following: no muesli was available, the cheeses and cold meats need to be replenished, the breads/croissants/pastries were hard. The area for the cooked items has been moved to the side and all hot food was squished into a smaller serving area. Plates for the hot food were stone cold, only sausages, black pudding and mushrooms were available. No bacon, tomatoes, beans, eggs of any sort (fried/scrambled were available) and other guests informed me they were waiting for the chef to arrive at the station as he had to cook the eggs/ omelette to order. I waited in a queue for around 5 mins but decided to abandon the wait as the sausages and mushroom I had collected were sitting on my cold plate getting colder. Eventually after another 10 minutes my husband spotted the arrival of the chef with bacon and scrambled eggs - however I was nearly finished eating my sausages and muhrooms, so rather late. The breakfast at the Fairmont during previous visits has been really very good but this experience was shockingly bad - to the extent I would not return here unless this issue is addressed. I have looked at other reviews and see this is a problem often highlighted in reviews in recent weeks/months. Other 5 star hotels in St Andrews are currently offering bed and breakfast at a cheaper rate, and from experience I know are doing a marvellous job with their breakfasts. Breakfast service should be fully maintained with foods replenished until the end of service at 10.30 am. We stayed one night with our dog and had a super room on the ground floor. We were made very welcome and the staff were attentive bringing dog bed, treats, tennis ball and food/drink bowls. The room was large, clean and comfortable and a bonus was it was quite near the exit so handy with the dog. The only thing we were unhappy about was the breakfast - but it is enough to put us off. The fact that this issue has been highlighted to the hotel management via reviews and does not seem to have been addressed is a real shame.
My suggestions to management - it is time to take action on the negative feedback regarding the breakfasts. Have more chefs available, ensure all stations, particularly the hot food station, are manned at all times. Move the hot food back to the centre of the buffet area, ensure hot clean plates available for guests to put their food on, replenish food at a faster rate.
My suggestions to management - it is time to take action on the negative feedback regarding the breakfasts. Have more chefs available, ensure all stations, particularly the hot food station, are manned at all times. Move the hot food back to the centre of the buffet area, ensure hot clean plates available for guests to put their food on, replenish food at a faster rate.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback regarding your recent stay at Fairmont St Andrews. I sincerely apologise for the disappointments you experienced during breakfast, particularly regarding the availability and quality of the food. We are proud of our breakfast offerings, and it is regrettable to hear that this visit did not meet your expectations. I appreciate your comments on the layout and service deficiencies you encountered. Your suggestions regarding staffing and food replenishment have been noted, and I assure you that they will be shared with our culinary team for their consideration. On a positive note, I am delighted to hear that you found our accommodations suitable for you and your pet, and that our staff provided attentive service during your stay. We appreciate your loyalty and hope that you will reconsider and allow us another opportunity to provide you with the exceptional experience you have come to expect.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had booked the Fairmont for two nights on a B&B basis primarily as we were attending a wedding in the area and transport to and from the hotel to the wedding venue was prearranged . Our experience at this hotel was terrible and it did not lend itself to being a five star hotel.
Check in at the hotel was swift and our room was ready.
The room itself was of a good standard although we did notice the the bathroom was looking a bit tired in places and perhaps needing a freshen up. The room was positioned on the second floor and was supplied with a mini bar coffee and tea making facilities as well as a Tunnocks Caramel wafer so all good. We enjoyed a quick cup of coffee from the Nespresso machine and then we had just enough time to freshen up before meeting friends for dinner in St Andrews.
On returning to the hotel we had a couple of drinks in the bar where we had no complaints with the bar staff who were efficient and friendly before retiring to bed.
The problems all started the following morning. On taking a shower I discovered there was no shower gel so I had to make do with the bar of soap. We then went for breakfast and the service was a complete shambles. There was a ridiculous wait for tea and coffee to the extent that it arrived after we had breakfast . The hot buffet was cold however I have to say fresh fruit , juices breads etc were of a high standard. We noticed that others were suffering from the same problems as our selves so it was not an isolated incident.
To make matters worse I reported the lack of shower gel to reception and asked if this could be attended to when servicing the room . We were away most of the day and did no return until after midnight so we went straight to bed. The next day we discovered that our room had been serviced however still had no shower gel. On closer inspection glasses had not been cleaned and bins not emptied . we then went for breakfast and this I can only describe as complete chaos. The buffet was not operating and the service was in complete disarray . The hot food was cold . My full Scottish came with no eggs.
On checking out I mentioned my issues regarding the shower gel and asked to speak to a manager . To make matters worse when explaining my problem another gentleman overheard and added that his room ran out of toilet paper. A manager came and apologised however this did not convince me to return. I love St Andrews as a town and we will return but it will not be to the Fairmont
Check in at the hotel was swift and our room was ready.
The room itself was of a good standard although we did notice the the bathroom was looking a bit tired in places and perhaps needing a freshen up. The room was positioned on the second floor and was supplied with a mini bar coffee and tea making facilities as well as a Tunnocks Caramel wafer so all good. We enjoyed a quick cup of coffee from the Nespresso machine and then we had just enough time to freshen up before meeting friends for dinner in St Andrews.
On returning to the hotel we had a couple of drinks in the bar where we had no complaints with the bar staff who were efficient and friendly before retiring to bed.
The problems all started the following morning. On taking a shower I discovered there was no shower gel so I had to make do with the bar of soap. We then went for breakfast and the service was a complete shambles. There was a ridiculous wait for tea and coffee to the extent that it arrived after we had breakfast . The hot buffet was cold however I have to say fresh fruit , juices breads etc were of a high standard. We noticed that others were suffering from the same problems as our selves so it was not an isolated incident.
To make matters worse I reported the lack of shower gel to reception and asked if this could be attended to when servicing the room . We were away most of the day and did no return until after midnight so we went straight to bed. The next day we discovered that our room had been serviced however still had no shower gel. On closer inspection glasses had not been cleaned and bins not emptied . we then went for breakfast and this I can only describe as complete chaos. The buffet was not operating and the service was in complete disarray . The hot food was cold . My full Scottish came with no eggs.
On checking out I mentioned my issues regarding the shower gel and asked to speak to a manager . To make matters worse when explaining my problem another gentleman overheard and added that his room ran out of toilet paper. A manager came and apologised however this did not convince me to return. I love St Andrews as a town and we will return but it will not be to the Fairmont
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 17 Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent stay at Fairmont St Andrews. We sincerely regret that your experience did not meet the high standards we strive to uphold for our guests. While we are pleased to hear that your check-in was swift and that you enjoyed aspects of your room and the bar service, we acknowledge the shortcomings you encountered during your stay. We appreciate your comments about the bathroom facilities and will ensure they are addressed by our maintenance team. We are particularly sorry to learn about the issues during breakfast service and the inconvenience caused by the lack of shower gel and insufficient room servicing. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will review our procedures to enhance the guest experience. We deeply appreciate your comments and hope you will consider providing us another opportunity in the future, as we are committed to continually improving our services.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I find this review hard to write, as I never post reviews, but feel I have to. If you charge 5 star prices, it’s a good idea to provide 5 star service. We as a family are regulars at Gleneagles Hotel (we love golf and are fortunate enough to love a bit of luxury too) and given we were in St Andrews to play the old course we thought we would spend 2 nights here at a supposed similar hotel. The service and attention to detail here is poor. You will wait forever to be served, drinks, food, bills, regardless of location the standard is always the same, slightly haphazard and a bit shambolic. The hotel could do with some freshening up in general, however our rooms blind sat at a jaunty angle for our entire trip (broken), even though we reported to reception and was frayed along the bottom and edges, giving the feeling that you may have nodded off in a Travel Inn off the M6. We were asked would you like us to fix it? My blank response was hoping that they would understand yes, no one came to fix anything. Oh, I also had to unblock the en-suite sink myself too, as the plug mechanism had jammed. Thought I would do this myself as I couldn’t wait for what would have been an eternity.
My wife and youngest child were locked out of their locker at the spa and requested help to open it at the spa reception desk. After waiting over 20 minutes with no assistance they eventually found a cleaner to assist. They weren’t even acknowledged by staff leaving.
My 6 year old son loves the place, so if you’re in the space for a kid friendly hotel, try here or maybe go to center parcs. If you’re an adult looking for luxury at £500 a night and perhaps £200-300 for dinner for 2 adults and a child, then maybe try Gleneagles, they might show you how it’s done.
Beyond disappointed, it’s verging on criminal.
My wife and youngest child were locked out of their locker at the spa and requested help to open it at the spa reception desk. After waiting over 20 minutes with no assistance they eventually found a cleaner to assist. They weren’t even acknowledged by staff leaving.
My 6 year old son loves the place, so if you’re in the space for a kid friendly hotel, try here or maybe go to center parcs. If you’re an adult looking for luxury at £500 a night and perhaps £200-300 for dinner for 2 adults and a child, then maybe try Gleneagles, they might show you how it’s done.
Beyond disappointed, it’s verging on criminal.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 21 Aug 2023
I am dreadfully sorry that you left us disappointed and our service was not to our usual standard. I have passed on your comments to our management team to address with their respective departments to ensure improvements are made and standards met. Thank you for taking the time to post a review and I hope you will give us the opportunity to better serve you in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I am only just back from the Fairmont. To start me & my partner felt when we arrived staff were not quite welcoming. Both me and my partner did not get any help with our cases/bags etc on arrival & felt this was required.
Bedrooms wise it was freezing temperatures, toiletries were not topped up & the chair was faulty which meant on a few occasions I myself nearly ended up on the floor. Curtains in the room also had holes in them. Housekeeping staff only came round on our 2nd night stay at 20:30pm to ask if we wanted towels, therefore our bed had not been made that morning. We assumed that a five star hotel would of had some sort of entertainment at night-time which it didn’t have, this was a let-down. The spa was great in the hotel with the pool/sauna and having the facilities for massage & facials but failed to supply the items that were included within the spa facilities , therefore this meant it took my partner a while to get his treatment. We visited the La Cucina restaurant on our 2nd night & we got sat at a table which was faulty with broken legs & my partners chair was also broke. We did ask about this and eventually got moved to another table closer to the opening of the restaurant which had two odd chairs. The decoration of the restaurant was not to a high standard. It was almost like a cheap Italian cafe. Both starters and mains were not great. Bread appeared to have been frozen & was tasteless . Pasta was greasy. Although shout-out to the young boy on shift who gave us good information on places to go & see whilst visiting St. Andrews. On our departure no staff members went out their way to thank us for staying or say goodbye. Due to our experience we would not return to the Fairmont. Therefore I would not recommend to friends & family.
We have stayed in multiple five star hotels & this just was not at the same level. Sorry Fairmont!
Bedrooms wise it was freezing temperatures, toiletries were not topped up & the chair was faulty which meant on a few occasions I myself nearly ended up on the floor. Curtains in the room also had holes in them. Housekeeping staff only came round on our 2nd night stay at 20:30pm to ask if we wanted towels, therefore our bed had not been made that morning. We assumed that a five star hotel would of had some sort of entertainment at night-time which it didn’t have, this was a let-down. The spa was great in the hotel with the pool/sauna and having the facilities for massage & facials but failed to supply the items that were included within the spa facilities , therefore this meant it took my partner a while to get his treatment. We visited the La Cucina restaurant on our 2nd night & we got sat at a table which was faulty with broken legs & my partners chair was also broke. We did ask about this and eventually got moved to another table closer to the opening of the restaurant which had two odd chairs. The decoration of the restaurant was not to a high standard. It was almost like a cheap Italian cafe. Both starters and mains were not great. Bread appeared to have been frozen & was tasteless . Pasta was greasy. Although shout-out to the young boy on shift who gave us good information on places to go & see whilst visiting St. Andrews. On our departure no staff members went out their way to thank us for staying or say goodbye. Due to our experience we would not return to the Fairmont. Therefore I would not recommend to friends & family.
We have stayed in multiple five star hotels & this just was not at the same level. Sorry Fairmont!
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 15 Jan 2024
Thank you for taking the time to post a review following your recent stay with us. I am terribly sorry that your stay with us was not to our usual standards and have passed on your comments to the Hotel Manager to review with the managers of each area to ensure appropriate action is taken for improvement. My apologies again for your comments and I hope we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Fairmont is a lovely hotel. Attractive, cosy (despite being very big), friendly, helpful staff, big comfy beds, big bathrooms and a great pool and spa. Initial impressions are great, with door staff immediately reacting, opening doors, helping with luggage etc. We also liked the location, with stunning views of St Andrews in the distance. You definitely need a car though as the minibus only takes 8 and runs on the hour until 6pm only.
I would love to give the Fairmont more stars but too many things were not as expected. For example, our room costing £300+ a night had thick dust on lamps and a torn duvet cover at the top. The duvet was also too small for this cover which meant we were fighting all night over it. The rooms are hot and the air con is loud. Luckily we had a couple of windows to open to try and cool it. The mini fridge was boiling to the touch which made me a bit concerned. The main desk wobbled precariously. Then the room wasn't serviced despite us being out all day and returning after 7pm. So we came back quite late to discover no toilet rolls, dirty coffee cups still on side, wet towels in the bath and bins full of rubbish. No answer from reception and after half an hour of trying we had to go down stairs to try and raise some help to do the basics. And there was a mix up on rooms on arrival so had to relocate and then no rollaway bed despite checking in advance (and when we got to the hotel an hour earlier). So that was another wait whilst it was sorted. After an 11 hour drive it was all a bit exhausting.
Also to note, the robes are far too small and tough from too many washes. None of us could get them done up to protect our modesty when walking to the spa and we are not big! As for the slippers my size 5 feet didn't even fit them. So bring slides!
My takeaway is if you are selling yourself as a five star hotel you have to get these kind of things right. People have mentioned a few of these problems before but clearly despite the apologies here they are still a problem.
I do hope they manage to improve things as we would like to stay again.
I would love to give the Fairmont more stars but too many things were not as expected. For example, our room costing £300+ a night had thick dust on lamps and a torn duvet cover at the top. The duvet was also too small for this cover which meant we were fighting all night over it. The rooms are hot and the air con is loud. Luckily we had a couple of windows to open to try and cool it. The mini fridge was boiling to the touch which made me a bit concerned. The main desk wobbled precariously. Then the room wasn't serviced despite us being out all day and returning after 7pm. So we came back quite late to discover no toilet rolls, dirty coffee cups still on side, wet towels in the bath and bins full of rubbish. No answer from reception and after half an hour of trying we had to go down stairs to try and raise some help to do the basics. And there was a mix up on rooms on arrival so had to relocate and then no rollaway bed despite checking in advance (and when we got to the hotel an hour earlier). So that was another wait whilst it was sorted. After an 11 hour drive it was all a bit exhausting.
Also to note, the robes are far too small and tough from too many washes. None of us could get them done up to protect our modesty when walking to the spa and we are not big! As for the slippers my size 5 feet didn't even fit them. So bring slides!
My takeaway is if you are selling yourself as a five star hotel you have to get these kind of things right. People have mentioned a few of these problems before but clearly despite the apologies here they are still a problem.
I do hope they manage to improve things as we would like to stay again.
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Date of stay: April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 19 Apr 2023
Thank you for taking the time to post a review following your recent stay with us. I am dreadfully sorry that your recent stay was not to our usual standards and have passed on your comments to the respective department manager to ensure that all issues raised are addressed appropriately and standards met. Again my apologies that you left us disappointed and I hope you will consider returning in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel is a great building, staff very attentive as you’d expect but their processes seem to not work. I filled in the online check in form and was even called to confirm my arrival time so that my room could be prepared. Arriving around 1500 I was told check in was guaranteed only from 1600 (fair enough) but they’d do my best to get the room ready early. Went to the desk again just before 4 and was told it’s not ready and guaranteed only from 4. Went up at 1620 and was told it still wasn’t ready. Eventually got my room key just before 5. For the amount you’re paying for the room, I’d expect to be in earlier than that. If you’re staying for only 1 night you’d feel you had been shorted.
Room was good. Breakfast and spa were very good also with the lack of the gluten free options on the stand.
There was no bottle opener in the room for the minibar and my room service order came to the room with both sandwiches on gluten free bread rather than just the one, which was requested.
On the last morning, another guest was able to enter our room with their room key. Of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, that’s never happened and should not happen. Reception were informed at check out.
We were then presented with the invoice which had our dinner and bar bill included, which we had paid for at the time and shouldn’t have been charged twice again.
In all, it was a nice stay but there were a fair handful of errors which did taint the occasion.
Room was good. Breakfast and spa were very good also with the lack of the gluten free options on the stand.
There was no bottle opener in the room for the minibar and my room service order came to the room with both sandwiches on gluten free bread rather than just the one, which was requested.
On the last morning, another guest was able to enter our room with their room key. Of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, that’s never happened and should not happen. Reception were informed at check out.
We were then presented with the invoice which had our dinner and bar bill included, which we had paid for at the time and shouldn’t have been charged twice again.
In all, it was a nice stay but there were a fair handful of errors which did taint the occasion.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Book spa and shuttle bus in advance. Consider if checking in from 1600 for only one night stay is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 2 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback on your recent stay with us. I am delighted that overall you enjoyed your stay however my apologies for the issues that you encountered with room readiness, in room dining and billing. I have passed on your comments to the respective department managers to ensure that improvements are made and standards met. Thank you again for your comments and I hope we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited the Fairmont for a 1 night stay as a family, to meet Santa and have a festive overnight stay. Santa’s grotto was wonderful as always and it’s a tradition to meet this Santa that we have done since my now 4 year old was 1, and Santa is as magical as ever.
The hotel itself is beautiful and the festive decorations are lovely, however I really felt it was lacking in festive atmosphere. The hotel states it caters for families but in reality there isn’t really much for children to do once they’ve met Santa in their 10 minute slot. There was the festive film club, however unlike previous years there was no popcorn/tuck shop that sold snacks, and this was quite disappointing. I really feel the hotel is missing a trick by not having any child friendly festive activities or even a small children’s club throughout the month of December even. The grounds are lovely, but there isn’t much to do when it’s so cold outside!!
We had a really lovely evening meal at La Cucina during out stay at the Fairmont, however I do feel there are a few issues that need to be addressed.
- £5 for a bottle of apple juice for a child’s drink is obscene, and there really was no other alternative. There was so squash/diluting juice, or even a carton of kids juice. Given the hotel promotes being family friendly, I do really feel the choice of children’s juices available should be addressed.
- Children’s cutlery; again in a family friendly hotel it would have been nice for children to be issued with appropriately sized cutlery for them to eat their meals with instead of them struggling with a standard sized fork.
- The white wine wasn’t overly chilled, and at £50 per bottle I would expect it to be the correct temperature.
- The meal itself was lovely, very good portion sizes and beautiful quality. However despite being advertised on the menu as children eat free, we did have to ask for the children’s meals to be taken off the bill.
- The atmosphere within the restaurant was lacking. It’s supposed to be family friendly and given it is Christmas time, I feel there could have been more effort put into decorations inside the restaurant and on the tables.
Our room was nice, but there were a few issues. Two tiles were pretty loose in the bathroom, there was no conditioner in the shower and nor was there any milk in the fridge for the coffee/tea station. 2 bottles of complimentary water left for a family of 4 isn’t really enough, and again given it was a festive Santa break I though they might have put more effort into making the room more festive for kids with chocolates or decorations of some sort. The room was also far too hot, and the thermostat wouldn’t go below 17 degrees.
We are returning guests, but I feel that the Fairmont is losing its special touch and really just feels a ‘normal hotel’ in some areas. The room, food and drink is too expensive for it just to feel ‘normal’. It was a nice stay but there is so much more that could be and should be offered to cater for children & make it a bit more festive.
The hotel itself is beautiful and the festive decorations are lovely, however I really felt it was lacking in festive atmosphere. The hotel states it caters for families but in reality there isn’t really much for children to do once they’ve met Santa in their 10 minute slot. There was the festive film club, however unlike previous years there was no popcorn/tuck shop that sold snacks, and this was quite disappointing. I really feel the hotel is missing a trick by not having any child friendly festive activities or even a small children’s club throughout the month of December even. The grounds are lovely, but there isn’t much to do when it’s so cold outside!!
We had a really lovely evening meal at La Cucina during out stay at the Fairmont, however I do feel there are a few issues that need to be addressed.
- £5 for a bottle of apple juice for a child’s drink is obscene, and there really was no other alternative. There was so squash/diluting juice, or even a carton of kids juice. Given the hotel promotes being family friendly, I do really feel the choice of children’s juices available should be addressed.
- Children’s cutlery; again in a family friendly hotel it would have been nice for children to be issued with appropriately sized cutlery for them to eat their meals with instead of them struggling with a standard sized fork.
- The white wine wasn’t overly chilled, and at £50 per bottle I would expect it to be the correct temperature.
- The meal itself was lovely, very good portion sizes and beautiful quality. However despite being advertised on the menu as children eat free, we did have to ask for the children’s meals to be taken off the bill.
- The atmosphere within the restaurant was lacking. It’s supposed to be family friendly and given it is Christmas time, I feel there could have been more effort put into decorations inside the restaurant and on the tables.
Our room was nice, but there were a few issues. Two tiles were pretty loose in the bathroom, there was no conditioner in the shower and nor was there any milk in the fridge for the coffee/tea station. 2 bottles of complimentary water left for a family of 4 isn’t really enough, and again given it was a festive Santa break I though they might have put more effort into making the room more festive for kids with chocolates or decorations of some sort. The room was also far too hot, and the thermostat wouldn’t go below 17 degrees.
We are returning guests, but I feel that the Fairmont is losing its special touch and really just feels a ‘normal hotel’ in some areas. The room, food and drink is too expensive for it just to feel ‘normal’. It was a nice stay but there is so much more that could be and should be offered to cater for children & make it a bit more festive.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lesley Falconer, Other at Fairmont St Andrews
Responded 17 Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent stay with us during the festive season. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed Santa's grotto and your dinner at La Cucina. However, we regret to learn that certain aspects did not meet your expectations. We understand the importance of a vibrant festive atmosphere, especially for families, and your suggestions about enhancing children's activities and the dining experience have been duly noted. We strive to provide a variety of options for our younger guests, and we appreciate your comments about the availability of children's drinks and cutlery, as well as the overall ambiance in the restaurant. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconveniences you experienced in your room, including the temperature and amenities. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us refine our offerings and ensure a more memorable experience for all our guests. We hope to welcome you back soon, where we can strive to recapture the magic of your previous visits.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I think ours was a UK super king size (6 x 6,6 foot) from memory unless they import beds in to get bigger sizes.
I have seen dogs in the hotel on several occasions. The staff are very approachable and helpful. I'd give them a call.
They are very helpful at the hotel we arrived at 3pm and as long as your room is ready they allow you to check in
Sorry. You look like the kind of person who would complain about nothing and gain something for free. Disappointed.
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"The pillows I think are Duck feather I woke up with a sore neck with them being so soft."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$464 - $703 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
fairmont st andrews hotel st. andrews, st andrews fairmont
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandFifeSt. Andrews
NUMBER OF ROOMS
211
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingFAIRMONT ST ANDREWS | UPDATED 2025 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (St. Andrews, Scotland) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Fairmont St Andrews
Which popular attractions are close to Fairmont St Andrews?
Nearby attractions include The Swilcan Bridge (5.3 km), St Andrews Links (5.1 km), and St Andrews West Sands Beach (6.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Fairmont St Andrews?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, free wifi, and free breakfast.
Which room amenities are available at Fairmont St Andrews?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Fairmont St Andrews?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Fairmont St Andrews?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Grange Inn, The Seafood Ristorante, and The Criterion.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Fairmont St Andrews?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Does Fairmont St Andrews have airport transportation?
Yes, Fairmont St Andrews offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Fairmont St Andrews?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Fairmont St Andrews offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Fairmont St Andrews?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Polish.