New luxury hotel The Kithmore ready for first guests – Daily Business

The Kithmore is close to the Old Course

Bookings are now open for The Kithmore, St Andrews’ highly-anticipated new luxury boutique hotel opening its doors this June following a £7.5 million transformation of the former Ardgowan Hotel on Playfair Terrace, off North Street.  

Set across three elegant Georgian townhouses, dating back to 1847 and originally designed by renowned St Andrews architect George Rae, The Kithmore offers 44-beds and is close to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the iconic Old Course.  

It is part of the Marram Collection, which includes the award-winning luxury boutique hotel The Leddie in Aberlady and the iconic The Bushmills Inn in Northern Ireland.

The Kithmore brings a new style of relaxed, design-led luxury to the heart of St Andrews.  Sympathetically restored to preserve many of its original features, great care has been taken to respect its setting within a conservation area, with modern hospitality standards seamlessly integrated throughout.

A thoughtfully designed new extension further enhances the guest experience, increasing capacity with four additional bedrooms, while two more have been created on the ground floor within the former Pilmour Bar.

Original stonework has been carefully restored and new double-glazed windows sensitively installed, ensuring contemporary comfort while maintaining the building’s historic character.  

There is a range of four beautifully appointed bedrooms available from cosy and comfort rooms to deluxe and suites; select suites retain original architectural features such as the cornicing, restored timber panelling and sash windows. 

Luxury bathroom fittings

The guest experience is front and foremost, thoughtfully designed to optimise quality, luxury and comfort: light, airy bedrooms and calm palettes are paired with darker, more cocooning corridors, creating a sense of retreat and arrival.

Each room is unique and has been designed to maximise its features whether it’s a free-standing bath in a bay window with views to the sea and the Old Course, or an original cornice restored to its former glory. 

Bespoke furniture and furnishings range from dressing tables, feature wardrobes and hospitality units; customised joinery, oak timber flooring, plush rugs and an original frieze design features in selected rooms. The artwork throughout has been curated to add character to each individual space with local artists showcased.

Commitment to quality is showcased throughout the property with the finest designers and brands featured.

All ensuite bathrooms feature timeless Italian stone porcelain tiles - Ceppo di Sabbia - inspired by Italian terrazzo, which beautifully complements glazed ceramic wall tiles. Crafted free-standing vanity units with under-mounted basins and luxury state-of-the-art German brand AXOR and Hansgrohe brushed black brassware, and dual-head rainfall showers also feature. 

Thoughtful design plays a central role in shaping the hotel’s warm and welcoming feel. The reinstatement of historic planters will enhance both privacy and the streetscape with a subtle illuminated central entrance staircase set back from the street.  

Guests arrive at a stylish reception area featuring herringbone timber flooring layered with plush rugs, lounge seating, original art and a bespoke red marble reception desk that anchors the lobby. Hand-painted signage by a local signwriter Thomas Payne of Thomas Paints guides guests through the property. 

Warm welcoming: a suite at The Kithmore

A key aspect of The Kithmore’s appeal will be its new standalone bar and restaurant, which is accessed by its own street-level entrance and extended landscaped terrace. Located on Playfair Terrace, off North Street - the interiors feature cosy snugs with comfortable banquette seating, enclosed by timber panelling and leaded glazed screens. 

Lighting and artwork have been carefully considered to create an atmosphere that feels refined yet homely, lifted from the building’s heritage but unmistakably contemporary. Climbing honeysuckle, planters with native flowers and grasses, feature yew trees, wall lighting and uplighters create an inviting social Terrace setting that feels both sheltered yet connected to the street.  

The aim has been to create a space that’s social and inclusive with a view to becoming the new go-to venue on Playfair Terrace for both visitors, students, golfers, tourists, and the local community.

The brand ethos, Links that Last a Lifetime, evokes experiences and memories. Whilst The Kithmore name is inspired by the Scots word kith, which means friendship and a sense of home, this reflects the hotel’s warmth, welcome and genuine hospitality.

Recruitment for key management positions is now underway, with further recruitment for front line roles closer to the opening in June.  

Kathryn McNairn, general manager of The Kithmore, said:  “From the very beginning, The Kithmore has been about creating a refined yet welcoming retreat, rooted in the character of St Andrews and delivered to the highest design specification throughout.  

“Inspired by the Scots word ‘kith’, meaning friendship and familiarity, we have designed a luxurious boutique hotel that feels elegant but never formal - a true home from home.

“Whether guests are here to play world-class golf, explore the town, enjoy exceptional food or simply slow down and relax, our hotel offers a thoughtful alternative to larger resorts, with quality, comfort and attention to detail at its heart. As we head towards our opening in June, we’re now open for bookings and recruiting the team who will bring this vision to life.” 

Rooms at The Kithmore are priced from £415 per night this summer, with bookings now open at www.thekithmore.com. For reservations, recruitment enquiries or further information, contact hello@thekithmore.com or call 01334 472970.  

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