The Algonquin Resort: Why St. Andrews-By-the-Sea, New Brunswick should be on your summer destination list!

We had the most marvelous time during our getaway to the Algonquin Resort this past weekend.

While I have always adored the Algonquin and the quaint-safe-old money-resort vibe of St. Andrews itself, the spectacular refurbishment of the Algonquin by the Marriott Group will take the town to a whole new level.

I loved the original photos that lined the hallways!

 The resort had previously been owned by the Province and it was, too put it kindly, tired.  The food was less than stellar, the rooms were well past their best before date.

What a difference.

Every hotel room has been refurbished.  Every window has been replaced.  New patios have been built.  The outdoor pool was completely redone.  An indoor pool was added.

The three story water slide that delivers you back into a tube.  How cool is that?

Katy's Cove waits 5 minutes away for you to take a dip in the ocean

see how far the tide goes out?

(I personally do not recommend doing this till June, but then, I am not hardy!)

On arrival, our King Size bed behind us...

A water view out our window.  Imagine when the trees are green again!

Shots from our friends' suite:

The dinner menu has been overhauled and the food is exquisite.  We had dinner and breakfast at the hotel and found the prices reasonable.

I loved the wallpaper!

Barry's difficult breakfast decision...

Me just finishing multi-grain waffles with lemon curd whipped cream! A little tired after the night before...  

The cocktail bar and dining room are like little chic jewel boxes.

The rest of the hotel awaits its conference and wedding business.

The long foyer with plenty of spots to play a game, sit in front of a fire, read a good book or sip some champagne...

Barry staring at the fire, likely thinking of tickling the ivories...

The long inside porch...

A telescope is set out to watch the stars or the ocean.  And since this is New Brunswick, and hardly anybody lives here, you are going to see stars, and lots of them!

rocking chairs waiting...

The Carleton Rotunda and its water views below..

The staff are friendly and helpful.  When we went to check out on Sunday, we asked if we could see one of the rooms that had a patio and the staff were more than willing to accommodate us.

a nice place to spend an afternoon...

For my American friends, right now the Canadian dollar is worth approximately 10 cents less than your American greenback, so you are getting a 10% discount right from the get-go.

A five minute walk delivers you to the downtown, or to the amazing Kingsbrae Gardens.  Apparently, June and July are fully booked, but come in August and September and bring a warm sweater and take a whale-watching tour from the wharf downtown.  There are other excellent restaurants on Water Street and little nooks and crannies to explore.  When the tide is out (and boy, does it go out in the Bay of Fundy!) you can put on your water shoes and walk out hundreds of feet and explore tidal pools.  There is nothing my kids liked better when they were young to put on their crocs or rubber puts, grab a pail and collect starfish and crabs and oysters, dumping them back when they were done.

The resort has been so good as to provide bikes to help you get there:

On the weekends, a farmer's market sets up downtown and there is often live music to be found.

The Algonquin itself had a wonderful young man playing jazz and light rock on the grand piano outside the dining and cocktail bar till around 8:30.

My favourite haunts downtown are The Leather House for purses, shoes and clothing and Crocker Hill Studio, which is run by an amazing artist, Stephen Smith, and his wife.  Water street has a small grocery store, the town's original drugstore and a liquor store if you forgot anything at home!

We had the best time and Barry and I have already vowed to go back soon and how would this be as a location for a blogging conference or meeting?  We took a few shots as we drove through town on Sunday morning:

Getting out of town for an overnighter was just what the doctor ordered.  And I cannot recommend it enough to the rest of you!  Tell them Wendy sent you!  (And no - the Algonquin has nothing to do with this review, though I wish it did!)

And since this is Wednesday -  A picture of me getting set to go to dinner:

And a bar shot taken by my friend Mike:

So congratulations to the Algonquin Resort!

Have a great day and stay safe out there!

xoxo wendy

KIngsbrae Gardens featured in this month's Victoria Magazine!

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.

Gertrude Jekyll

I picked up the May/June issue of Victoria magazine, attracted as I was by the subtitle Return to France and the promise of beautiful images of one of my favourite countries.

So imagine my delight when I turned the pages and found a lovely spread on one of my favourite places to visit in New Brunswick, Kingsbrae Gardens.  I've posted on Kingsbrae before, but wanted to post again, because these gardens, and the gorgeous town in which they are located is worth a visit, and want to give you all plenty of time to plan your 2014 trip!  St. Andrews is only 6 hours from Boston, 10 from NYC, 10 from Montreal.


Some photos from the magazine:

And my own:

eating outside, looking at the gardens and the ocean in the distance:

My favourite experience ever at the Gardens was taking my kids to the live ladybug release.  Every morning at 10:30 in the summer, the staff releases live ladybugs in the rose garden and they let kids (and whoever else wants to try!) place the ladybugs on the roses.

Pick up the magazine, drool over the photos (and of course the photos from France) and then consider booking your own trip to New Brunswick!

You may recall I mentioned the Algonquin Resort in last summer's post:

Well it's re-opened and a number of us are heading there on May 3rd for a night of good food and fellowship and to check out the wonderful work they have done to bring this jewel back to its glory.
I'll have a full review of the hotel the week after.

I will say that St. Andrews rivals any resort town on the east coast of the U.S. and Canada - it is charming, safe and quiet.  Whale watching tours will take you out into the Bay of Fundy, where you will see all kinds of whales and porpoises, including giant Finback whales. The exchange rate is in the favour of all you lovely Americans and if you are coming, let me know - I might pop down for a pot o' tea with you!

There is an amazing 18 hole golf course that overlooks the ocean.  Lovely little restaurants and gift shops.

Fifteen miles down the road you can visit a chocolate factory in the town where I grew up, St. Stephen.  It is one of my favourite spots for a day trip and I can't wait to go on May 3rd, but I also plan to go later in July to visit the gardens at their peak (though to be truthful, there is no bad time to visit Kingsbrae!)

Hope you have a lovely Saturday - stay safe out there!

xoxo wendy