Anne-Claire Heels stays at this lively pub with an AA Rosette restaurant in foodie Fife
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Beach life. This lively pub with rooms sits right by the sand (or the sea itself, when the tide is in) and is the only one in Britain to have a cricket team that plays on the beach. It has six individually designed bedrooms, an AA Rosette restaurant that makes the most of the rich variety of produce that foodie Fife has to offer, and a private dining/function space called The Ship’s Cabin (where morning yoga sessions also run) opening onto the outside area. Whether you’re coming for a chilled evening with friends, food with the family, a celebration or a seaside stay, you can’t go wrong with The Ship Inn.
ANY LUXURIOUS TOUCHES?
Plenty. The big comfy beds have crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, there are Nespresso coffee machines and teas from The Tea Lovers’ Company in nearby St Andrews, iPod docking stations with Bose speakers, flatscreen TVs and free WiFi, and absolutely gorgeous toiletries from Scottish brand Siabann.
WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
There are six luxurious rooms here, four of which boast sea views. They have a calm colour palette of soft blues and creams, with the wooden shutters adding a kind of New England feel. The Admiral room at the top of the house has a spacious en-suite with a beautiful roll-top bath as well, sublime for a leisurely soak. All rooms can be configured as doubles or twins, and two are dog-friendly, where goodies for your pet will be provided too. And if you are travelling alone and book directly with the pub, a single occupancy discount can be applied.
BEST SEA VIEW?
The wide sandy bay is right outside – there are uninterrupted sea views from the bedrooms on the front of the building, the restaurant (especially upstairs) and of course if you’re sitting outside you’re looking straight over it. The outdoor area is a popular spot for enjoying the sunset.
HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
As you would hope, Scotland features strongly on the restaurant menu – think Fife beef, Scottish seafood and Isle of Arran ice cream. My hummus, vegetable crudités, olive oil and toasted pine nuts starter was as pretty as it was tasty and light, while the flavoursome and hearty seafood pasta with tomato, chilli, garlic, shallots, spring onion, parsley and fennel was perfect after an appetite-building walk in the sunshine on the Fife Coastal Path. There’s also bar food if you’re after something more casual, featuring items such as Cullen Skink, smoked salmon sandwiches, and The Ship Inn fish and chips, and your dog can come into the bar with you. And the staff must get a special mention – the friendly young team couldn’t have been more efficient, despite being constantly busy that sunny evening when I visited.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Prices range from £100-£185 per room per night, on a B&B basis. Book at shipinn.scot or call 01333 330246.
Check out more coastal guides and places to stay by the sea here.
