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

Miller Time Friday - Let's take a day trip, shall we - I want to go home

 You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right

 Maya Angelou

You all know me to be an overly sentimental sort.  I don't mind being filed under "S" for sentimental - better that than "I" for indifferent.

And I am never more sentimental than when I go back to my old stomping grounds - St. Andrews-By-the-Sea and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where I grew up.

I swear that I pass myself on the street, my voice still echoing as I chase my brother and sister in the backyard, sneak through the neighbours yard to spy on them, stop into a shop and buy a little wooden table and chairs for my dolls.  I am everywhere and nowhere when I am back there. 

I recognize no one when I am on the street today, but I can tell you everyone who lived in every house in the 1960s and 1970s.  I wonder that they don't notice the tattoo that is burned into my forehead as I walk about: I AM FROM HERE.  THIS IS WHO I AM.

One of my happiest things to do in the summer is this:

• Go to St. Andrews.  Walk streets.  Shop.  Have lunch at Kingsbrae Gardens overlooking the gardens and the bay.
• Drive to hometown (10 minutes away) St. Stephen.  Buy chocolates from Ganongs.
• Have tea with my mother's best friend.

Honestly, I could rinse and repeat this once a week all summer.  It isn't a long drive from here, but the roads are not the best from our neck of the woods and frankly, even my mother's best friend would tire of me.  There is something pathetic about those of us who are motherless sometimes; my mother's friend is the closest thing I have in this world to an older woman who truly loves and likes me - I lap it up like candy!

But I digress.  When we arrived in St. Andrews a farmer's market was going on.

 

 Lots of crafts and food and music.  It is fun when the town is vibrant.



Cockburn's drugstore has been there forever.  You can get your prescription filled and pick up a sand bucket and nail polish..

Nearby I spotted two Irish Wolfhounds, which struck me as very Harry Potter-ish:

If you want a porch to people watch and have a drink, well this is it:

 



Between each house and shop on Water Street is this view:

sorry about the blur!

Then we drove out to Indian Point to watch the tide go out for a few minutes:

 No time for searching tide pools today - we are off to Kingsbrae Gardens and lunch!  Considered ones of the ten best garden attractions in Canada, this is definitely worth a visit.  We have been many, many times.  This time, we walked straight to the little café.

But of course en route, there are a few small gardens...

who is that delightful creature in the mirror?

Ah there's the café (located in an old "cottage" (St. Andrews was and is still, albeit to a lesser extent, the playground of the rich..)

 

 





 



 Inside the café:

 

But it's a gorgeous day, we'll eat outside, under the apple trees:

 

 And of course Barry is already sitting there:



I always want to sit outside to get this view:

I think I am looking very Virginia Woolf in these photos - I even know where the Lighthouse is!

Beside Kingsbrae Gardens you can stay at the Ultra-luxurious Kingsbrae Arms:

the back of the house...

The front door is guarded by a matching pair of whippets, who are quite stately sentinels, in my opinion:

The jewel of St. Andrews is the Algonquin Resort, which is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar refresh and will reopen later this year.  I cannot wait to go back there soon!  This would make a lovely spot for a club meeting...

Let's leave St. Andrews, as I have a tea time scheduled with an old friend and en route I need to pick up chocolates and peppermints at the The Ganong Chocolate Factory's Gift Store.

 

Chocolate Truffles all around!

Then off to see my Mum's Best Friend, who is 88 years old and a going concern.  Isn't she beautiful?

Today would have been her 68th wedding anniversary.  She is originally from England and married a dashing young New Brunswick lad who was talented enough to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.  We had tea and looked out over this view:

 The end to a perfect day. 

I think this day could use a little Tennyson (In Memoriam Section CXXIII  - my favourite section):

But in my spirit will I dwell
and dream my dream and hold it true
for tho' my lips may breath adieu
I cannot think the thing farewell

I do like to go home.  And while I sat on that deck, drinking tea and sharing stories with someone who has known me for almost my entire life - since a time I can barely remember - I felt nothing but joy and gladness.  We are witnesses to each other's lives.  And on a beautiful August day, I am grateful for that.  And now it is here forever, with you all.

And since we were by the salty sea, let's make a couple of Salty Dog cocktails, shall we?

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz grapefruit juice
• Salt for rimming
• Lemon or lime wedge for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a collins glass rimmed with salt and filled with ice cubes.
2. Stir well.
3. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.

 There - isn't that refreshing?  Thanks for taking the day trip with us!  Have a wonderful Friday and stay safe out there!