I have lived in Edinburgh for over 6 years and I’ve heard so many lovely things about St Andrews but I never got a chance to visit, until now! When the team at the Marine & Lawn hotels invited me to come over and stay at the iconic Rusacks Hotel, I took it as a sign to finally visit this beautiful part of the country and I’m so glad I did. If you’re looking for an escape from the busy capital, the hotel is just over an hour’s drive away from Edinburgh and makes the perfect excuse for a refined weekend getaway.
Marine & Lawn -The Rusacks, St Andrews
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As soon as we entered the hotel reception, we were greeted by a friendly concierge team member who took care of our luggage and offered to give us a quick tour of the hotel. The lobby had a pleasant smoky scent from a nearby fireplace, warming up the whole area. I think reception can really represent a hotel and this one was cosy, homely, and welcoming. We took a sip from the chilled refreshments offered by the front desk and began our hotel tour.
We took a walk around different parts of the building and learned a bit about its history. The hotel first opened in 1887 and has since changed its name, however, it remains one of the most iconic hotels in St Andrews due to the awe-inspiring views of the picturesque St Andrews. The building is just a stone’s throw away from Old Tom Morris’s famous Old Course Links and the upstairs restaurant terrace seems like the best place to enjoy watching the golfers play.
We have finally entered our suite where we were greeted with some lovely local treats. The room had the most fntastic views overlooking the Old Course and the beach. There is a lovely chair by the window, encouraging you to slow down, have a seat and just admire the incredible view. It’s the perfect place if you feel like you need a bit of relaxation and you time, perhaps with a book and a glass of wine.
The room itself was spacious, tastefully decorated, and spotless. You have a TV, a mini-fridge and a lovely Nespresso coffee machine with some pods. I was very impressed by the Floris bathroom amenities – I typically never use the shampoo and conditioner provided by hotels, however, I did this time as a reputable brand supplied it, and having some quality amenities on hand that I actually want to use is delightful. My hair was so smooth and soft while smelling incredible. I will note that the bed was also probably the comfiest one I’ve slept on this year and I travel a lot!
The room itself was spacious, tastefully decorated and very clean. You have a TV, a mini-fridge and a lovely Nespresso coffee machine with some pods. I was very impressed by the Floris bathroom amenities – I typically never use the shampoo and conditioner provided by hotels, however I did this time as a reputable brand supplied it and having some quality amenities on hand that I actually want to use is delightful. My hair was so smooth and soft while smelling incredible. I will note that the bed was also probably the comfiest one I’ve slept on this year and I travel a lot!
18 restaurant
Visiting the main restaurant called Eighteen was a firm highlight of the whole stay. Led by an award winning head chef Derek Johnstone, it serves the best quality seasonal seafood, beef and game. We had such a great night in this atmospheric restaurant and enjoyed some of the best Scottish oysters followed by a ridiculously tasty steak. I would happily travel from Edinburgh to St Andrews just for food at 18! They also serve afternoon tea, Sunday lunch and have seasonal offers available so there’s always a good excuse to visit this place.
Hotel breakfast is always my favourite part of any stay and this one was a real treat. Instead of a buffet, they offer an extensive menu (which I love!) and I do recommend going for the pancakes if you’re a sweet tooth or the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs if you prefer a savoury option. Once again, the views of the Old Course make the whole experience so much more elevated and enjoyable.
Until next time, Rusacks!
I genuinely loved this place and would happily come back again. It made me very curious about the other Marine & Lwan locations too. It’s a lovely combination of luxurious history and refined simplicity. The things that stood out the most for me were the helpful and friendly staff, delicious food and the most amazing, huge bed. Thank you St Andrews, I cannot wait to see you again!
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