    |
||
      |
||
    |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Tuesday May 13, 2008 |
Email This Page To A Friend! |
|
The Algonquin Hotel
New Brunswick's Algonquin Hotel, in the quaint little town of St. Andrews by-the-sea, is a must stop destination for anyone who, like me, loves these "Grand Old Dames" of hotels. The Algonquin is reminiscent of some of my other favorite old hotels such as San Diego, California's Hotel Del Coronado or Estes Park, Colorado's Stanley.
Honored as Canada's 1991 Resort Of The year, everything about the Algonquin is first class, from the spacious rooms to the excellent service to the outstanding cuisine. Extensive renovations (and a new addition) have added modern convenience
and luxury to the hotel's historic ambiance. Included is a full gym, indoor
swimming pool, hot tubs and saunas.  Spooky SplendorAnother part of the charm of an old hotel is that they tend to be just a little bit spooky. You always have the feeling that there must be ghosts lurking about. The Algonquin doesn't disappoint on this count either, although the hotel's ghosts don't seem to be all that interuptive. The majority of ghostly activity seems to come from an area of the hotel that is no longer used, a tower which was formerly an employee lodging. Lights have been seen in this section of the hotel which remains locked and un-occupied at all times. Stephen King stayed at the Algonquin, early in his career. Algonquin personnel claim that their property, along with Colorado's Stanley Hotel, were the inspiration for his novel The Shining. I can understand why as the hotel physically looks like what I imagined the Overlook Hotel in The Shining to look like. Needless to say, my stay was a lot more peaceful. First Class Cuisine
White is involved in all aspects of the dining experience at the Algonquin. We even spotted him in front of the hotel picking flowers to decorate the evening's dinner table. The meal he and his assistants prepared was one of the best I'd had in years! From the roasted banana squash soup to a Maritime seafood medley, to the truly spectacular maple mousse tower dessert (photo at left), the food alone was worth the trip to New Brunswick. Other ActivitiesThere's lots to do in close proximity to the Algonquin, so even though you're in a small town, there's no chance of being bored. First class golf is nearby, as are all kinds of day adventures: kayaking, horse-back riding, sailing, hiking, cycling, fishing, rappelling and canoeing to name just a few. If you're less inclined to be active, how about a cruise on an authentic tall ship, or a ride on a zodiac boat to spot some migrating whales? History buffs will enjoy exploring King's Landing Historical Settlement or other local historical attractions. New Brunswick has so much to offer and the Algonquin makes a wonderful base from which to explore. The Algonquin is an easy day's drive from Boston or Montreal and a mere three hour drive from Bangor, Maine. A day's train ride will get you there from Toronto. The nearest airport is located about an hour away in historic Saint John, New Brunswick. For information or reservations at the Algonquin, call 506-529-8823. Be sure to also read:
|
|
ST.
ANDREWS BY-THE-SEA, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA - Staying in a grand old hotel
is a very special experience. Perhaps it's the tangible aura of history
that lingers in the air. Or maybe it's realizing that this is as close
as you'll be able to come to experiencing the grandeur of a by-gone era.
Perhaps it's nothing more than luxuriating in superb service and first
class accommodations. Regardless of the reason, I love staying in historic
old properties and do so whenever possible. 
Another
plus to this property is, with the strength of the American dollar in
Canada, the Algonquin an excellent value among hotels of its caliber.
You could easily pay at least three times as much at other seaside hotels
that offer the elegance and luxury of the Algonquin. 
While
the Algonquin has a lot to offer, by far one of the best things is its
cuisine. Executive chef Willie White, a native of Scotland, is making
Canadian Maritime Regional Cuisine a force to be reckoned with.