The Kithmore

The former Ardgowan Hotel has been reimagined as The Kithmore — a 44-room boutique hotel bringing contemporary Scottish hospitality to North Street, just a short walk from the Old Course.

A familiar address, reimagined

Some new hotels arrive in a town. Others emerge from somewhere that was already part of it.

The Kithmore belongs firmly in the latter camp.

Set across three Georgian townhouses on North Street, the building dates to 1847 and will be familiar to generations of St Andrews visitors as the former Ardgowan Hotel. In 2026, it began its next chapter as The Kithmore: a thoroughly reworked 44-bedroom boutique hotel that aims to feel contemporary without losing its connection to the town around it. (Kithmore Hotel)

And location is a considerable part of the appeal.

Step outside and you're already in St Andrews. The Old Course and Royal and Ancient Golf Club are a short walk away; the shops, restaurants and cafés of the town centre are close at hand; and the coastline, university buildings and historic streets can all become part of a day explored largely on foot. (Kithmore Hotel)

For visitors who want to experience St Andrews from the inside rather than retreat from it, that's a compelling proposition.

What's in a name?

There's a good story behind Kithmore.

The name takes inspiration from the old Scots word kith: familiarity, friendship and connection. It's an idea the hotel has used to shape its identity around belonging and relaxed local hospitality rather than formality. (Kithmore Hotel)

That's particularly fitting in St Andrews.

Golf may bring people here from across the world, but much of the town's appeal happens between the rounds: breakfast before an early tee time, walking back from West Sands, bumping into friends on North Street or finding somewhere for a drink that turns into dinner.

The Kithmore has been designed to participate in that rhythm rather than simply provide a room beside it.

The rooms

There are 44 bedrooms, divided into four categories: Cosy, Comfort, Deluxe and Suites.

Cosy rooms start at 11–14 square metres, while the largest suites run to 30–37 square metres and accommodate up to three guests. Comfort, Deluxe and Suite categories can also be configured with twin beds — an important detail in a town where so many visitors arrive on golf trips. (Kithmore Hotel)

The design approach is warm and contemporary rather than overtly traditional. Original character from the Georgian buildings has been retained while the interiors have been comprehensively reconsidered for the hotel's new life. (Kithmore Hotel)

For the website: this is where I'd go big visually — perhaps one wide bedroom image followed by two detail photographs. Don't turn it into a room catalogue.

Downstairs at Bennie's

This deserves more than a throwaway "hotel restaurant" paragraph.

Bennie's is intended to work for St Andrews as much as for hotel guests.

It runs from breakfast through dinner, with the bar continuing until midnight. The menu takes a modern Scottish direction, with dishes currently including hand-dived Orkney scallops, Stornoway black pudding and langoustine tails alongside more relaxed all-day choices. There's also a front terrace for eating and drinking outside. (Kithmore Hotel)

That gives us an interesting opportunity later.

Bennie's should eventually have its own Visit St Andrews feature under Eat & Drink, which then internally links back to The Kithmore.

We're beginning to create the web of content we talked about.

Why stay here?

For the location. This is probably the biggest reason. You're on North Street, within easy walking distance of the Old Course and much of central St Andrews. (Kithmore Hotel)

For golfers. The proximity to the links is obvious, but smaller details matter too: most room categories can be arranged as twins, the hotel offers golf-club and luggage storage, and breakfast service includes an early golfer's breakfast from 6am. (Kithmore Hotel)

For the scale. At 44 rooms, The Kithmore sits in an interesting space between a small guesthouse and St Andrews' larger resort hotels. (Kithmore Hotel)

For Bennie's. Having a proper bar and restaurant downstairs changes the feel of a hotel, particularly after a long day exploring or playing golf.

For being part of town. Rufflets gives you gardens and escape. The Kithmore gives you St Andrews immediately outside the door.

That distinction is exactly what our editorial should help visitors understand.

Who is The Kithmore best for?

I'd particularly consider it for golf trips, couples on a weekend in St Andrews, friends travelling together and visitors who want to explore the town largely on foot.

And that's an important part of the Visit St Andrews approach.

We're not trying to proclaim one hotel "the best". We're helping someone understand which St Andrews hotel is best for them.

If you want acres of gardens and country-house seclusion, look elsewhere.

If you want breakfast, the Old Course, North Street, dinner and drinks all woven into a walkable St Andrews stay, The Kithmore starts to make considerable sense.

Know before you go

Where: 2 Playfair Terrace, North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9HX. (Booking.com)

Rooms: 44 across Cosy, Comfort, Deluxe and Suite categories. (Kithmore Hotel)

Eating & drinking: Bennie's, serving breakfast and all-day dining, with bar and outdoor terrace. (Kithmore Hotel)

Getting here: Leuchars railway station is around 10 minutes away by car; St Andrews bus station is approximately a five-minute walk from the hotel. (Kithmore Hotel)

Good for: Golfers, couples, friends, short breaks and visitors wanting a central, walkable base.

Visit St Andrews view: Stay here when you want St Andrews itself to feel like part of the hotel experience.

What to explore nearby

This section becomes powerful as we build the site:

The Old Course → Golf
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club → Golf / History
West Sands → Things to Do
St Andrews Castle → History
Where to Eat in St Andrews → Eat & Drink
48 Hours in St Andrews → Inspiration
Bennie's → Eat & Drink