The St Andrews hotel has also been awarded first Michelin Key

The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews is celebrating a major double success after being named ‘Spa Hotel of the Year’ at the 2026 AA Hospitality Awards, alongside being awarded its first Michelin Key.

The prestigious AA award comes after the iconic Fife hotel was named the only Scottish finalist in the 2026 Spa Hotel of the Year category, competing alongside The Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall and Seaham Hall in Durham.

The win cements the Old Course Hotel among the country’s leading spa and hospitality destinations and provides further recognition for the hotel’s continued investment in its people, facilities and guest experience.

Penthouse at the Old Course

The AA Hospitality Awards recognise excellence across the UK hospitality industry, with the Old Course Hotel’s award highlighting its offering at Kohler Waters Spa, as well as the wider experience delivered across the resort.

The hotel’s Kohler Waters Spa has recently undergone significant investment and now features Scotland’s most advanced contrast-therapy thermal facilities, as part of an extensive programme of refurbishment across the resort. This has also included the main lobby and retail area and fourth-floor dining spaces.

The AA recognition comes alongside another significant milestone for the hotel, which has been awarded its first Michelin Key by the Michelin Guide.

The Keys, which launched in 2023 as the hotel equivalent of the Michelin star, recognise outstanding places to stay. Hotels are assessed by Michelin’s inspectors across five criteria, including architecture and interior design, personality and character, quality and consistency of service, value, and contribution to the locality.

Kohler Waters Spa

Overlooking the renowned Old Course and West Sands beach, the Old Course Hotel has built its reputation around contemporary luxury, warm Scottish hospitality and its unique connection to the home of golf.

The double recognition comes at an important time for the St Andrews venue, following a period of extensive refurbishment and the introduction of an expanded seasonal programme designed to further enhance the guest experience.

Recent highlights have included Champagne brunch picnics, specialised wellness retreats and masterclasses, alongside dining events featuring some of the country’s best-known culinary talent, including chefs Rachel Allen and Tom Kerridge.

For more information, visit oldcoursehotel.co.uk