The Duke’s Golf Club debuted in 1995, on a piece of land just up the hill from the famed Old Course at St. Andrews. Fittingly, Peter Thomson, the man chosen to design the course, had ties to St. Andrews, as one of his five British Open victories came here in 1955.

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It is a course so entrenched in golfing lore that it does not even need a name. The town, and an understated reference of age, is all that is necessary. As a landmark in world sport and spiritual home of the game’s greatest championship, the history of this ancient university town, and the ancient links that ambles up to its urban perimeter, is the perfect atmosphere for a golf vacation unlike any other in the world. The Old Course at St. Andrews goes against every contemporary grain the game has ever sown, and the experience here is all the richer for it. The original Old Course at St. Andrews has no architect; it seems to have been chiselled and hewn by seaside winds and the tendencies of seed and soil, and the most recent addition to this golf mecca, the new Duke’s Course designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson, has made the preservation of this natural integrity a vital aspect of the experience. Along with the world-class Kingsbarns, located just twenty minutes east of St. Andrews on the rugged cliffs bordering the North Sea , three unforgettable new golf courses await visitors to the famous linksland of St. Andrews. And feeling at home at ‘The Home of Golf’ has never been easier with the Old Course Hotel, a five-star resort set right on the grounds of the largest and most esteemed golf complex in the world. If there is one trip that every golfer must at some point in their lives take, this charming, unfettered hamlet in the Kingdom of Fife may be the best possible choice.

The rich and turbulent history of this dramatic city is channelled through the quaint and elegant furnishings found in each of the hotel’s 102 bedrooms and 32 suites. Traditional reds, browns, whites, gold, and greens are the predominant colours, and each room offers a style and character all its own. Views from each room offer either a broad glance at the golf grounds below, framed by St. Andrews Bay on the horizon, or face inland, overlooking the cobblestone streets, shops, boutiques, cathedrals, and castles that have changed little in the last 500 years. Built in 1968, it is a marvel of commitment to history and detail that the Old Course Hotel blends so seamlessly with the wash of the surrounding lands.

Within the hotel proper are an assortment of exceptional dining options, many of which offer views of the Old Course that are simply unparalleled. It can be difficult to stress how beautiful the views, especially The Road Hole Grill, located on the top floor of the hotel overlooking the 17^th and 18^th holes on the Old Course. Named after the Old Course’s most famous hole, whose fairway the hotel borders, organic Scottish ingredients are used here to create an eclectic blend of classic international cuisine and authentic national fare. With an open kitchen concept and elegant furnishings, Maitre Chef de Cuisine David Kinnes has created a menu highlighted by some of the finest cuts of local meat, fish, and game. Appetizers like a warm salmon and scallops salad, drizzled in a shellfish oil, and boneless quail on fennel and watercress, prepare the palate for entrees such as corn-fed chicken on braised spring cabbage, finished with a tarragon jus, and grilled halibut with asparagus, smoked bacon, and a summer truffle dressing. Sommelier Valentine Lamige offers a fine collection of wine to compliment every dish on the menu.

The other fine dining experience at the Old Course Hotel has a contemporary vibe that amazingly still manages to coalesce with the culture and character of the hotel and town. The Sands Seafood Bar and Restaurant features a raw oyster bar, a sushi/sashimi counter, and an adjacent lounge, where personal bottles of champagne and a specially-commissioned absinthe cocktail menu attracts a younger, stylish crowd. A fine selection of beers and wines is also available, and The Sands is open for both lunch and dinner.

In the interest of accommodating every guest’s vacation preferences, the Spa at the Old Course Hotel is designed to give guests the option to exercise their mind and body as they desire. Some prefer to use the facilities for the purpose of fitness, while others relish the opportunity to relax their tired bodies and reawaken their senses. With that in mind, the Spa staff has designed a host of programs to accommodate each guest, combining massages, wraps, aromatherapy treatments, and fitness evaluations, allowing each guest to utilize the state-of-the-art facilities in any way they desire.

With a variety of golf, spa and leisure options, the reservations staff at the Old Course Hotel can tailor a vacation programme to suit any guest’s whim and fancy.