Bringing an American spa to Scotland wasn’t like the proverbial “Coal to Newcastle.” The new Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews reflects the unique essence of Scotland today.
Kohler’s first foray outside America builds on ancient tradition. Overlooking the historic birthplace of golf, the Old Course Hotel joins Kohler’s American Club as a world-class destination for sports and spa. But there is much more to St. Andrews than golf. Walking windswept beaches where the Atlantic Ocean adds briny zest to a mild climate, you discover cultural treasures of the ancient town that gave birth to golf. Plus a feast of organic food, wild salmon, afternoon tea, Scotch malt whisky and vintage French wines.
Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Chairman, CEO, and President of Kohler Co., is an avid golfer. Under his leadership, the family-owned company’s vision of innovation continues. The opening of the Kohler Waters Spa in the company’s hometown in 2000 created a showcase for their latest designs in bathtubs and showers, as well as a sybaritic hideaway that is unique in the American heartland. And now in Scotland.
Defining the difference between the original Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club in Wisconsin and its Scottish cousin revolves around location, scale, and design. The Old Course Hotel overlooks the famed 17th hole at St. Andrews, within sight and sound of the sea, and has an old-world ambience that Kohler subtly updated. Working in a historic hotel, the team of UK and American designers was challenged by strict space limits. Given glorious views of the links from a fitness center full of Precor cardiovascular equipment and strength-training units, the result mixes intimate spaces with airy atriums, local stonework with upscale furnishings. Interiors are contemporary, feature natural wood and stone, and water. Lots of water. From the thermal suite’s bubbling pools to the waterfall wall in the swimming pool, experiential showers and wet rooms, this is truly an expression of Kohler’s sybaritic pleasures.
“We did want to create our Scotland spa in a familiar gracious fashion of the sister property in Wisconsin,” explains Jean Kolb, director of wellness for Kohler Co. Their goal: a spa where the guest walks in and exclaims "Only Kohler Co. could do this!" The furniture, the tile, the plumbing and, oh yes, the water, is all about Kohler. The look is classic and timeless. However, says Kolb “we wanted this spa to have its own identity, Scottish in nature. The use of natural woods, beautiful stone, and choice of colors, all play to this.” What is unique, she adds, “are our therapeutic water treatments in luxurious wet rooms that are self-contained. They are much more than wet treatments. They are all-encompassing. From cleansing, exfoliating, replenishing to relaxing, they do it all.”
At the heart of the spa, the thermal suite provides dry and wet saunas by Dalesauna, showers, and soaking pools. You can feel nature's elements inside and out. The eight-foot-deep cool plunge is invigorating after a soak in the whirlpool’s bubbling jets and the rushing water on your shoulders and lower back. Kohler’s Laminar flow showers, where water looks like it is coming out of holes in the ceiling, are unique and special. With the addition of a rooftop garden and whirlpool, spa-goers enjoy a maritime climate year round to complement Thalgo and Phytoceane treatments.
A multi-purpose lounge coffee and tea, lunch from a new spa menu. Access to the salon and locker rooms is via the lounge. “Because we believed we created something special enough poolside,” explains Kolb, “we didn't need additional space for the deep-relax room.” However, families take over the pool from 2 to 4 p.m., as hotel guests and local members share spa facilities. Best time to relax is at night, when the pool glows under its glass roof.
Packages offered by the spa are available to non-hotel guests, and can be combined with golf on The Duke’s Course, newly renovated and managed by The Old Course Hotel. Since acquiring the resort in October 2004, Kohler Co. completed a comprehensive investment program that includes a conference center and jazz club. The 144-room hotel now boasts 35 stunning new suites and soon-to-open apartments, rooftop dining, and an authentic pub on the 17th “Road Hole” of the legendary Old Course.
Walking the Old Course is a bonus on Sunday, when golf is not played but the spa is open. Classic seaside links, fairways stretch down to wide sandy beaches where the surf recalls “Chariots of Fire,” filmed here.
