If there’s one thing I excel at, it’s choosing bad weather as a companion on a weekend break. So, when my first trip of 2026 was a January girls’ escape in Scotland, I knew one thing was guaranteed. Thankfully, we weren’t chasing city energy. Our purpose was to press reset after an indulgent festive period and our destination of choice was the very lovely Seaton House in St Andrews.
Overlooking the wide sweep of St Andrews Bay and just a short stroll from West Sands, this restored Victorian villa has been thoughtfully reimagined as a 42-bedroom boutique hotel. The building’s heritage bones remain intact while the interiors lean into contemporary Scottish style in natural tones, with an overall feeling of warmth and softness. It all seems perfectly attuned to its coastal setting. In winter especially, when the shoreline turns wild and cinematic, Seaton House comes into its own as a place to retreat and properly rest.
A HOTEL WITH WELLBEING IN MIND
Seaton House is all about a subtle, soul-soothing kind of luxury. There’s a clear focus on wellbeing, not in a traditional spa sense (there isn’t one), but in a more intuitive, human way that your winter body will thank you for.
Restorative sleep is clearly a priority. The hotel has partnered with Scottish sleep brand Ava Innes to offer Cashmere Guard duvets in two dedicated suites, although every bedroom feels like a sanctuary in its own right. Expect cloud-soft beds, blackout curtains, layered lighting and, in some rooms, private terraces overlooking the coastline.
Another thoughtful collaboration comes via literary specialists Toppings & Co., where guests can pre-select their preferred genre so a handpicked book awaits on arrival. It’s a small detail that shows this hotel knows about slowing the pace.
YOGA, SAUNA AND SEA AIR
We began our stay with an hour-long private yoga session with Jana Yoga. Originally planned for the beach, the horizontal rain (very on brand for January) prompted a last-minute move to the hotel’s fitness studio overlooking the garden.
As relative yoga novices, even in 2026, the session was grounding, gentle and centred on breathwork and setting intentions. It was exactly what winter bodies crave and set the pace for the rest of the day.
Afterwards, we slipped into our swimwear and Dry Robes (thoughtfully provided by the hotel) for a private outside sauna session with Scottish Wild Sauna, sitting on the dunes above the beach. If you visit Seaton House, make this non-negotiable. Inside the cedar-scented heat, with the North Sea crashing beyond the glass and sweeping views across the bay, the contrast between hot and cold is good for the soul. It’s invigorating and addictive.
Organised wild swimming is also on the cards at Seaton House but with waves an experience surfer would shy away from, we took our warm, relaxed selves back to the hotel for a shower, a soft robe, and sank into the sofa with our books of choice and a warm drink.
DINNER AT ONDINE OYSTER & GRILL
Dinner at Ondine Oyster & Grill rounds out the Seaton House experience beautifully. Edinburgh diners who mourned Roy Brett’s George IV Bridge restaurant will be pleased to find the celebrated seafood restaurateur reopened here when the hotel launched last spring.
Known for championing the very best Scottish seafood, the menu celebrates freshness and simplicity and includes the chef’s signature oyster bar, beautifully grilled fish, and classic ingredients rooted in seasonality and provenance. Ondine is clearly a hit in its new home too with every table full of hotel guests and locals enjoying Saturday night dinner at one of the best spots in town.
WHAT WE THINK OF SEATON HOUSE
Afterwards, back in the room, it’s time for soft robes, a night cap, a few more pages of our chosen books, and lights out. Seaton House understands that the most precious commodity about modern luxury is how well you rest. Did we leave feeling refreshed? You bet we did. The sea air and the hotel’s most wonderful location is the perfect coastal escape. We’d return in a heartbeat.
* Laura Wood visited Seaton House on 9th January 2026. This visit was a press invite but every word and opinion is our own.
If you enjoyed reading our review of Seaton House St Andrews, check out our last review here
