Seaton House Hotel, St Andrews – Luxury Stay, Sea Views & Exceptional Scottish Hospitality

Set just moments from the Old Course and the sweep of West Sands, Seaton House Hotel sits in a lovingly restored landmark building. Inside, it’s all warm tones, rich textures, and subtle nods to Scottish heritage - tartan, a local bottle of Kingsbarns whisky, tablet and of course a few stag heads but done with restraint. It’s elegant, not themed.

Parking in St Andrews is a sport in itself, and free spaces around this part of town are rarer than a calm day on West Sands. Thankfully, Seaton House Hotel has a clever solution; valet service that spirits your car away to a discreet off‑site garage for the length of your stay. You can summon it back whenever you like. Honestly, it’s the kind of service that makes me wish I’d rolled up in my Maserati rather than my ever‑faithful Citroën!

A Warm Welcome That Sets the Tone

And from this moment, the tone is set, a service standard that never once wavers. The welcome is genuinely warm, the kind that feels personal rather than practised. Staff hit that perfect balance between polished and relaxed, and the whole hotel moves at an easy, unhurried rhythm.

There’s no standing at a desk filling out forms or shuffling impatiently through check‑in. Here, unhurried luxury is the rule. You’re ushered straight into the lounge, where you sink into deep leather chairs and are offered a drink from the bar - a dram, a cocktail, or a tea or coffee, along with a wee sweet treat of tablet.

From that point on, you’re on your own time, just at a gentler pace. Time to take time. No rush, no pressure. And when you’re ready, only when you’re ready, someone appears to guide you up to your room.

Rooms Designed for Slow, Luxurious Living

The soft luxury rolls effortlessly on. Our deluxe sea‑view room is an absolute showstopper, waking up to the light spilling over West Sands is worth the upgrade on its own. I had every intention of perching on the edge of the bed and watching the waves for hours… in reality, I managed a very content ten minutes the next morning. Priorities.

Seaton House offers 42 rooms in total, including suites and junior suites, each crafted with the same calm, considered elegance.

Expect:

• Rainfall showers and luxe bathrooms

• Rich, tactile interiors with natural materials

• Sea or garden views, some with private terraces

• Thoughtful touches like premium toiletries, plush robes, and curated minibars

Bathrooms That Redefine Hotel Comfort

The bathroom deserves its own spotlight; hotel bathrooms just hit differently, don’t they? This one certainly did. All gorgeous marble and dark wood, it felt more like a private spa than a standard ensuite. The walk‑in shower was enormous and, crucially, ticked all three of my non‑negotiables for a genuinely great shower.

First: water pressure. Both the rainfall head and the handheld were outstanding, none of that apologetic trickle nonsense. Second: an actual shelf for your own toiletries. Yes, they provide lovely products, but most of us still bring our favourites, and there’s nothing worse than having to scatter bottles across the floor and go treasure‑hunting mid–hair wash. And third: the controls are on the opposite wall from the shower head, meaning no frantic, freezing‑cold dance while you try to figure out how to turn it on. Bliss!

Thoughtful Touches & Scottish Favourites

The room itself is wonderfully spacious, with silent, easy‑to‑adjust temperature controls that keep everything perfectly comfortable. A gorgeous full‑length mirror makes getting ready a joy, and the generous cupboard space is stocked with all the essentials - dressing gowns, slippers, a hairdryer, safe, ironing board and iron.

The tea and coffee station deserves applause of its own. It’s packed with Scottish favourites: Taylors crisps, Walker’s Shortbread, and the ever‑iconic Tunnock’s Teacakes. The fridge holds Scottish ales alongside still and sparkling water, making it feel less like a standard hotel setup and more like a thoughtful, local welcome. Coffee machine, pods, kettle and gorgeous crockery are all laid out ready for your perfect cuppa.

Stormy Seas, Champagne Moments

One of the UK’s storms was busy battering the coastline during our stay, and no matter how many times we tried to convince ourselves that a bracing walk along the shore would be “invigorating,” the lure of a 4pm Thursday champagne won the battle. The gorgeous, cocoon‑like warmth of the Bow Butt Bar was impossible to resist and honestly, who were we kidding? Storm outside, bubbles inside. The choice made itself.

Dinner & Breakfast

After a few glasses of wine, we drifted into Ondine Oyster & Grill for dinner, a meal so outstanding it earned my coveted Tartan Spoon Award, a full 10/10, and you can read exactly why in my separate review HERE.

Dinner induced a full‑blown food coma, and the bed cocooned us into the deepest, most delicious sleep. The real challenge came the next morning: peeling ourselves out of that cloud‑soft duvet and heading down to breakfast in the impressive Board Room.

We somehow managed to snag the prize table, the one right by the window, granting us another blissful hour of sea‑gazing while we tucked into a ham and cheese omelette and perfectly poached eggs on toast.

Breakfast here is a generous affair, with pastries, cereals, fruits, and a selection of cooked dishes from the kitchen. The staff are genuinely lovely too - warm, upbeat, and clearly delighted to start your morning on the right note.

Seaton House Hotel is one of those rare places that lingers with you long after you’ve checked out; a blend of quiet luxury, heartfelt hospitality, and those small, thoughtful touches that turn a stay into a memory. From storm‑day champagne to sea‑view mornings and a breakfast that sets the tone for the day, everything here feels intentionally crafted to help you slow down and savour St Andrews at its most beautiful. It’s a hotel that doesn’t just meet expectations; it elevates them.

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEATON HOUSE HOTEL

• Valet Parking

• Fitness centre and gym

• 24 hour check-in. Check in time is from 3pm and check-out at 11am

• Blackout curtains

• They have accessible rooms

• Free wi-fi

• Deluxe Sea View room starts at £340 per room

• My Shower rating - 10/10

• My bed rating - 10/10

Seaton House Hotel, 76 The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9BB www.seatonhouse.com

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