My husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland this coming March. The trip is to visit our son who will be studying abroad at St. Andrews. We would like to stay at a very nice hotel, but within walking distance to the town. Which would you choose? MacDonald Rusacks or Old Course Hotel - or another choice? Thank you for any help you can provide. We will be spending a few days in Edinburgh as well and we are booking the Balmoral for that part of our stay. Susan

Okay, now I am also considering the St. Andrews Golf Hotel - and how about Rufflets? Or is that too far away from town to make sense for this visit?

If you can afford the Old Course Hotel, I think there's no contest.

The Old Course is the nicest of all 4, but it's a good walk to the town centre.

The Rusack's Marine is also very nice, and is much closer.

I haven't stayed at the Rufflet's although I've been at a meeting there. It is also very nice indeed, but a good couple of miles outside the town.

The Golf is perfectly adequate and would probably be mu choice for budgetary reasons, but it's not a patch on eth other three for quality

It all depends on what you want - and how much you can afford. I have only stayed at Rufflets - and loved it. It is just outside of town and only minutes away by car. Not a problem at all.

I've been inside all of the others and any would be fine. They are all over the board budget-wise so you need to decide what you want. The Old Course is too much above my pay grade to have stayed there.

Since our son is at the Unversity and living in housing a short walk from town, I think it best that we stay close to town. I would like to be able to walk to town from the hotel. We will have a car, but I have heard that parking in town is nearly impossible. If that is not the case, then I can re-consider.

As for hotels, we would like to stay in the nicest we can get. All of these hotels have quoted me much reduced winter prices so all of them are in my price range. So, is Old Course really that much nicer than MacDonald Rusacks? (price is virtually the same) and just how long a walk is it to town? And is it a walk that we could safely take after dinner at night?

Thanks for the help,
Susan

The Old Course Hotel would be my choice irrespective of price and more especially so if you have been quoted similar prices for all the hotels. It is only a few hundred yards from Rusacks Hotel but the facilities etc at the Old Course Hotel are far superior.

I would also recommend booking a meal some time at the Seafood Restaurant in St Andrews www.theseafoodrestaurant.com Lunch is particularly good value.

I'm laughing (in a kind way) at the notion of it not being safe to walk

look on this page

http://www.standrews.org.uk/

The Rusacks Marine is the building on the extreme right.

Then look at this one

http://www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/

In the photo wi' the lassie in her goonie, where she's standing on the balcony, the Rusacks is behind her head.

I'm not sure how easy it is to cross the golf course in the evening, but you can see the distance is not great.

And the hotel IS in a different league

Sheila, I am glad that you are laughing in a "kind way". We live in NY, just outside of New York City and work in the city. We have no qualms walking around New York City late a night. We have traveled extensively, and I have learned to ask about safety. And your answer is great - especially since our son will be living in town! Since the walk is fine and manageable we will go for the nicer hotel.

I really cannot believe the rates that I have been quoted for the Old Course Hotel, they are great, and even include full breakfast AND two dinners! They even quoted me a higher rate for the same room, breakfast and no dinners! So we will book the dinner and breakfast and maybe use one dinner; but not both.

Yes, I agree, the parking in St. Andrews is awful.

If you are somehow getting a killer rate at the Old Course Hotel - that would be my choice. Like getting to stay at the Ritz for Holiday Inn rates

I've stayed at the Old Course a few times, admittedly several years ago, and frankly I wasn't impressed given the reputation it claims for itself. If gym, spa, health club etc are vital then go for it. If quality of food and quality of service are what matters, I'm not convinced that the Old Course is any better than the others you've mentioned.
If you have a car, the Old Course is no more convenient than Rufflets as there's a big free car park between the town and the Old Course.
Safety? Keep away from graveyards in the middle of the night and you'll have no problems.
If you like Thai or Japanese food pay at least one visit to Nahm Jim's / L'Orient, a two storey bar / bistro / restaurant on Market Street.

Craig, I believe the Old Course Hotel has undergone a big refurbishment lately ? Shame about the service you received, though.

Caroline,
The Old Course has indeed done a lot of work on its facilities, they also had a new extension last time I visited. This was for an evening do and the service was faultless so hopefully my earlier experience doesn't apply now.