Albany Hotel

The Albany's 22 ensuite rooms are each individually styled, so you won't get the standard chain-hotel experience. Room options include singles, doubles, twins and a Junior Suite, covering most group and couple configurations. It's the kind of place where you'll find period features and modern Scottish touches rather than uniformity, and the 3-star townhouse rating reflects that blend of character and comfort.

Breakfast is served in the Garden Restaurant, a light and airy space that opens onto a walled garden and patio, perfect for a morning coffee before heading out to your tee time. When the weather plays ball, it's a pleasant spot to sit outside and plan the day's golf. After your round, The Bar Lounge is the spot to settle into a comfortable chair with a local ale or a dram from their extensive malt whisky selection. The bar also serves snacks throughout the day, so if you're back early or just want something light between rounds, you're covered without having to leave the hotel.

The real advantage here is how easy it makes a multi-course St Andrews itinerary. You can walk to three of the most famous courses in golf in 10 minutes, then come back to a proper townhouse with a bit of personality and a decent bar. For groups or couples who want to maximise time on the course and minimise time in the car, that combination is hard to beat. The hotel's central North Street location also puts you in the middle of St Andrews' pubs, restaurants and shops, so you're never far from a good meal or a post-round pint in town.

If you're travelling as a group, the mix of room types and the hotel's compact size make it easy to keep everyone together without feeling like you're staying in a sprawling resort. The individually styled rooms mean each one has its own look and feel, so it's got more personality than a standard chain stay. For couples, the Junior Suite offers a bit more space and comfort if you're treating the trip as a special occasion or just want a little extra room to spread out after a long day on the links.

The Garden Restaurant's breakfast service is designed to get you out the door in good time for early tee times, and the walled garden setting adds a bit of charm to the start of the day. The Bar Lounge is ideal for a post-round dram, with a good malt whisky line-up and snacks if you're keeping it simple. It's the kind of place where you can sit back, relax and replay the round without having to venture back out into town if you don't feel like it. That said, North Street is lively enough that you're only a short walk from plenty of other options if you want to explore.