St Andrews is most renowned as the world's premier golfing destination as its emerald fairways have hosted some of the biggest names in the sport. Locals will boast it was where the ball game originated and was even enjoyed by royalty including Mary Queen of Scots. Facing the Bay, the region's top hotel, is consistently voted one of the world's best golf resorts (with two championship courses). Not surprisingly, (as it is the sport of choice for high-flying corporate types) the luxury 209-room resort has also earned as reputation as a meeting point for world's top financial and political movers and shakers by hosting international events like the G20 summit in 2009. It was within the walls of the Fairmont that the Northern Ireland peace talks were held. Many attribute ongoing stability in the region today to The Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.