St Andrews has been a popular summer coastal getaway for Canadians for well over a century. And then along came a Vegemite-wielding Australian family, rolling in with suitcases, snacks, kids, and absolutely no intention of resisting the charm.
I first fell in love with the province of New Brunswick in 2015 during a house-sitting assignment in Moncton. Nearly one year later, I was back, and beyond excited to be spending time in St Andrews-by-the-Sea.
Largely because of where we were staying…
The Algonquin Resort.
Or, to use its full official name, The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Marriott Autograph Collection. A bit of a mouthful, yes, but the kind of name that lets you know immediately this is not your average roadside motel with suspicious carpet and a vending machine dinner.
This was our first stop on a 2-week road trip adventure around New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Trying to decide where to stay in St Andrews, New Brunswick with kids was surprisingly easy. One hotel stood head and shoulders above the rest.
The Algonquin Resort is one of those buildings that practically demands you photograph it. Grand, historic, dramatic, and sitting proudly above the town, it feels less like checking into a hotel and more like walking into a Canadian storybook with better pillows.
In fact, The Algonquin Resort is one of New Brunswick’s most iconic historic hotels and has long been considered a symbol of St Andrews-by-the-Sea. Originally opened in 1889, the resort has been welcoming guests for more than a century, blending old-world coastal grandeur with modern family-friendly comfort.
And honestly, I’m sure you can see why.
Quick Hotel Snapshot: The Algonquin Resort St Andrews
Location: St. Andrews New Brunswick, Canada.
Best for: Families, couples, history lovers, road trippers, and anyone looking for a special place to stay in St Andrews rather than just a bed for the night.
Family-friendly features: Indoor heated pool, three-storey waterslide, outdoor pool, hot tub, spacious rooms, beautiful grounds, on-site dining, ghost tour, and easy access to family attractions around St Andrews.
Nearby attractions: Kingsbrae Garden, Fundy Discovery Aquarium, Katy’s Cove, Ministers Island, St Andrews waterfront, Charlotte County Court House and Gaol, St Andrews Historic District, and whale watching tours.
Why we stayed: The Algonquin Resort is one of the most iconic hotels in New Brunswick, and I wanted somewhere that felt like part of the St Andrews experience. We were starting our New Brunswick and Nova Scotia road trip here, and this historic hotel gave us charm, comfort, family-friendly amenities, and a little bit of “oh wow, we’re staying there?” magic.
Arriving At The Algonquin in St Andrews
We flew into Saint John Airport late in the evening. After picking up our rental car, the drive to The Algonquin Resort felt like it disappeared in a blur of sleepy kids, dark roads, and that road trip excitement where you know an adventure has officially begun.
As we pulled into the driveway, we couldn’t see much in the inky rural darkness except the outline of a grand façade quietly promising something special inside.
You know when a building has presence even when you can barely see it?
That.
The front desk staff were beyond friendly and made the check-in process fast, smooth, and mercifully easy. This is especially important when you arrive late with kids, because by that point everyone is operating on airport snacks, excitement, and questionable levels of patience.
Within minutes, we were sinking into one of the softest and most comfortable beds we had ever experienced with high thread count linens. Our 3-night stay at one of Canada’s most iconic coastal resorts was off to a very good start.
And by “very good,” I mean I was horizontal, warm, comfortable, and no one was asking me where their shoes were.
Travel luxury.
Why Stay At The Algonquin Resort In St Andrews With Kids?
The Algonquin Resort is an iconic Maritime coastal resort designed in the Tudor Revival style. It was originally built in 1889, but a fire destroyed much of the original hotel in 1914. Thankfully, it was rebuilt on the same footprint that same year, with additional wings added later, including in the early 1990s and early 2010s.
Today, it manages to be grand and historic without feeling stuffy. That is not always an easy line to walk, especially when you are travelling with kids who may or may not treat elegant hallways as personal runways.
The resort has the kind of presence you expect from a historic hotel in St Andrews, New Brunswick: sweeping architecture, beautiful grounds, old-world details, and enough character to make you wonder how many stories the walls could tell if they were feeling chatty.
But it also has the practical family-friendly resort features that make travelling with kids easier. Current hotel amenities include an indoor heated pool with a three-storey water slide, outdoor pool, hot tub, spa, on-site golf, game room, fitness centre, convention center, complimentary Wi-Fi, bicycle rental, restaurant, bar, room service, laundry, gift shop, and pet-friendly rooms. There are also seasonal amenities like a town shuttle and town walking tour.
In other words, it has the pretty historic-hotel magic for me and the waterslide energy for the kids.
Everybody wins.
The Algonquin Resort Grounds And Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor spaces at The Algonquin Resort are elegant, romantic, and made for slow wandering.
The gardens and grounds have wooden seats scattered around, perfect for soaking up the summer sunshine or warming up near the gas-powered fire pits. It is exactly the kind of place where I wanted to sit with a coffee and admire the view, while my children had other plans involving movement, questions, and the urgent need to investigate everything.
Depending on when you visit, the resort may also have seasonal outdoor extras like lawn games around the grounds, giving kids another easy way to burn energy without leaving the hotel. The Algonquin Resort also has a Rooftop Garden terrace, which is used more as an event-style space than a children’s attraction, but it adds to that grand, romantic, “this hotel has secrets and views” feeling.
The resort’s location is also a huge part of its charm. It sits close to the heart of St Andrews-by-the-Sea, making it a brilliant base if you are planning to explore the town, Kingsbrae Garden, Katy’s Cove, the waterfront, Ministers Island, the Fundy Discovery Aquarium, or the historic district.
This is one of the reasons I think The Algonquin Resort works so well as a family-friendly hotel in St Andrews. You get the feeling of staying somewhere special, but you are still close to the things you actually want to do with kids.
No endless driving. No complicated logistics. No “why is everything 45 minutes away?”
Just a beautiful base, a charming seaside town, and plenty nearby to keep the whole family entertained.
The Algonquin Resort Indoor Pool And Waterslide
Tucked away indoors is a large heated pool complete with a twisting waterslide, which is basically the holy grail of family hotel amenities.
You can show children historic architecture, coastal views, fine dining, gardens, and beautiful interiors, but the moment they discover there is a waterslide, congratulations, that is now the main attraction.
And honestly, fair enough.
The indoor heated pool makes The Algonquin Resort a great place to stay in St Andrews with kids in any weather. Rainy afternoon? Pool. Tired from sightseeing? Pool. Kids have somehow gained a second wind at 4 pm? Pool.
The official hotel listing currently notes the indoor heated pool and three-storey waterslide, along with an outdoor pool and hot tub, making this more than just a pretty historic resort. It is genuinely practical for families.
For us, it was the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon with the kids. And by relaxing, I mean I relaxed while they burned energy in water, which is the parent version of a spa treatment.
The Algonquin Resort Ghost Tour
As you can imagine, a building this old and historic conceals more than a few mysteries.
And those mysteries can be discovered with a ghost tour, held upon request.
Guided by kilted staff member Andrew, Mia and I gingerly explored allegedly haunted guest rooms and investigated old, spooky basement tunnels that connected various parts of the resort.
Now, I love a good ghost story. I also love pretending I am brave until I am standing in an old basement tunnel and suddenly every noise feels personally targeted.
At one point, Mia thought she heard the voice of a female ghost, and I had goosebumps running up and down my arms.
Mysterious?
Yes.
Slightly dramatic?
Also yes.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely.
The ghost tour added a fun, slightly spooky layer to our stay at The Algonquin Resort. It made the hotel feel even more alive with stories, which is exactly what you want from a historic hotel. There is something wonderful about staying somewhere that is not just beautiful, but also has legends, rumours, hidden corners, and enough atmosphere to make your imagination misbehave.
For families with older kids, this is such a fun way to experience the resort’s history. It is not just “here is an old hotel.” It is “here is an old hotel that may or may not have a ghostly woman whispering in the shadows.”
Much better.
The Algonquin Resort Rooms
We stayed in a Studio Room within The Prince of Wales wing, accessible from the main building via a covered walkway.
This wing was constructed in 1993 and renovated in 2012–2014. The carpeted hallways spoke of grand olden days, ruffled petticoats, and men in fine suits. I could practically imagine guests from another era gliding through the corridors, probably with far less luggage and far more elegant travel outfits than I had managed.
Our room overlooked the gorgeous grounds and included a small kitchenette. When travelling with kids, this is always a gift.
A fridge? Brilliant.
A sink? Helpful.
A dining table? Luxury.
Anyone who has tried to feed children in a hotel room without a table knows there is a very fine line between “casual family dinner” and “why is there yoghurt on the suitcase?”
The kitchenette made our stay easier, especially with Mia and Caius. It gave us somewhere to store snacks, prepare simple bits and pieces, and keep the kind of emergency food supply that every family road trip requires.
The padded bedheads were my favourite room detail. But even better was what can only be described as sleeping on a soft, fluffy cloud.
Yep, the beds were incredible.
And after a travel day, a late arrival, and the emotional gymnastics of getting kids from airport to car to hotel to bed, that cloud-like mattress felt like a personal reward.
Is The Algonquin Resort Family-Friendly?
Yes, The Algonquin Resort is family-friendly, but in a very specific and wonderful way.
It is not a loud, theme-park-style family resort. It is grand, historic, elegant, and full of character. But it still works beautifully for families because the practical details are there too: comfort, space, easy meals, and enough kid-friendly fun to keep everyone happy.
That combination makes it one of the best places to stay in St Andrews, New Brunswick with kids, especially if you want your accommodation to feel like part of the destination rather than just somewhere to sleep.
For me, The Algonquin Resort worked because it gave us both sides of family travel.
The kids got space, swimming, adventure, and ghost stories.
I got history, charm, beautiful architecture, lovely service, and a bed that made me question every mattress I had ever owned.
That feels like a pretty solid win.
Dining At The Algonquin Resort
Food is always a big part of travel for me. I can appreciate a beautiful room, a historic building, and a grand entrance, but feed me well and suddenly I am emotionally attached.
The Algonquin Resort did not disappoint.
Dining at The Algonquin Resort is centred around Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which serves fresh, seasonal East Coast cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. It is described by the resort as an elevated dining experience, and honestly, that fits. This was not “grab something before we head out” hotel food. This was sit-down, admire-the-room, try-not-to-let-the-kids-use-the-tablecloth-as-a-napkin kind of dining.
Breakfast At Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar
Breakfast was an à la carte affair in the tastefully decorated dining room at Braxton’s. In my opinion, quality from an à la carte far outweighs a breakfast buffet.
The service was impeccable, as always, and my “1889” eggs benedict was cooked perfectly. I love a hotel breakfast that feels calm, polished, and a little bit special, especially when travelling with kids. There is something deeply luxurious about someone else making breakfast while I sit there with coffee, pretending I am a relaxed morning person.
Spoiler: I am only a relaxed morning person when someone brings me coffee.
Braxton’s felt elegant without being intimidating, which is exactly what I want from a family-friendly historic hotel in St Andrews, New Brunswick. Beautiful enough to feel like a treat, but welcoming enough that you do not feel like you need to whisper every time your child asks where the pancakes are.
Lunch At The Algonquin Golf Course
We also enjoyed lunch at The Clubhouse, located on the Algonquin Golf Course, overlooking picturesque Passamaquoddy Bay.
This was a lovely change of pace from the main hotel dining room. The setting was relaxed, scenic, and ideal if you want to combine a meal with those sweeping coastal views St Andrews does so well.
The Algonquin Golf Course is part of the resort experience, and the course has been recognised as one of Canada’s classic coastal golf destinations. Marriott notes that The Algonquin Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 course with views across Canada’s East Coast, and dining around the resort includes east coast seafood and classic dishes.
If you are staying at The Algonquin Resort with kids, I would check current opening times for The Clubhouse before planning around it, as resort dining options and seasonal hours can change. The hotel’s current dining information prominently lists Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar and Right Whale Pub, so it is always worth checking what is open during your stay.
Afternoon Tea At The Algonquin Resort
One thing I wish we had made time for was afternoon tea at The Algonquin Resort, because honestly, if you are staying in a grand historic hotel, you may as well fully lean into the fancy.
The resort offers afternoon tea in a beautiful setting, and it feels like exactly the kind of experience that belongs at The Algonquin. Think elegant surroundings, something warm in a teacup, sweet treats, and me pretending my children are refined little travellers who don’t usually leave crumbs in mysterious places.
It would be a lovely slower moment during a St Andrews family stay, especially if you want a break from sightseeing, swimming, playgrounds, and tide-chasing. I’d check current times and availability before you go, as hotel dining experiences can change seasonally.
Dinner At The Algonquin Resort
I thought breakfast was classy, but dinner took things to a whole new level.
At dinner, I tried a local green vegetable called fiddleheads. These are harvested for only a few weeks each year, and somehow we managed to arrive at exactly the right time. I am taking that as a personal travel victory.
Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of a young fern, and to me they tasted like asparagus met a Brussels sprout and decided to become a tiny green spiral. Very New Brunswick. Very seasonal. Very “look at me eating local produce like a sophisticated adult.”
And while our main courses were flawless, the desserts were so astonishing they brought a tear to my eye.
Not a dramatic tear.
A respectful dessert tear.
The kind of tear that says, “I understand the assignment, pastry chef.”
Braxton’s currently highlights seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented dishes, and refined dining, with signature touches such as tableside dessert presentations. That makes it a strong option if you are staying at The Algonquin Resort and want a special meal without leaving the hotel.
S’mores By The Fire Pit
One evening after the ghost tour, Mia and I enjoyed hot chocolate and s’mores by the roaring fire pit.
But this wasn’t just any marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker treat.
No, no.
This was The Algonquin Resort’s modern, glamorous twist on s’mores. The kind so beautiful it looked like it belonged under Perspex in a museum, with a tiny sign saying, “Please admire but do not touch.”
Except, thankfully, we did touch.
And eat.
Because I am not travelling all the way to New Brunswick to respectfully observe dessert from a distance.
This is what I loved about staying at The Algonquin Resort St Andrews. Everything felt like it had been given a little extra polish. Even something as simple and nostalgic as s’mores became part of the luxury hotel experience.
Pure indulgence at every turn.
Right Whale Pub At The Algonquin Resort
One update worth knowing is that The Algonquin Resort now also lists Right Whale Pub as one of its dining venues.
Right Whale Pub is described as a welcoming pub serving classic fare with a Maritime twist, and it sounds like a great option for families who want something a little more casual than a full fine-dining evening. It is open daily according to Marriott’s current dining page, but I would still check before you go because hotel restaurant hours can change seasonally.
This is exactly the kind of option I appreciate when travelling with kids. Some nights you want refined, elegant, special-occasion dining. Other nights you want good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and no one giving you side-eye if someone at the table is overtired and making questionable life choices with a bread roll.
Balance.
That is family vacation travel.
Things To Do Near The Algonquin Resort
One of the biggest reasons The Algonquin Resort is such a great place to stay in St Andrews with kids is the location.
This seaside resort feels tucked away and special, but you are still close to the town, the waterfront, Kingsbrae Garden, the Fundy Discovery Aquarium, Katy’s Cove, Ministers Island, Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, and the St Andrews Historic District.
This made our family road trip feel so much easier. I do not want to spend every holiday day driving back and forth across the universe because I accidentally booked accommodation “near” town, only to discover “near” was being used very generously.
Depending on the season, families may also be able to ask the concierge for a beach amenity kit with towels, water bottles, and sandy beach toys before heading to nearby Katy’s Cove Beach. It is one of those small hotel touches that makes a family beach stop feel much easier, because no one wants to buy a bucket and spade for one afternoon and then somehow fit it into a suitcase.
The Algonquin Resort gave us a beautiful base, easy access to local attractions, and enough resort features to make downtime feel like part of the trip.
Things We Loved Most About The Algonquin Resort
There were plenty of things we loved about staying at The Algonquin Resort, but these were the moments and features that made it feel extra memorable for our family.
The indoor pool and waterslide
Because you can show kids historic architecture, beautiful gardens, and elegant dining, but the second they discover a waterslide, that is the headline attraction. The indoor pool was perfect for downtime between exploring St Andrews with Mia and Caius.
The Algonquin Resort Play Zone
Another family-friendly feature worth knowing about is The PlayZone, an indoor kids’ play area at The Algonquin Resort.
The PlayZone includes board games, arcade-style games, table tennis, indoor basketball, foosball and pool, making it a handy spot for downtime between sightseeing, swimming, and exploring St Andrews.
It is exactly the kind of hotel feature I appreciate when travelling with kids, because sometimes you need somewhere fun and easy that does not involve packing the car, checking the weather, or convincing everyone to put shoes on again.
The ghost tour
The Algonquin Resort already feels like it has stories tucked into every corner, but the ghost tour brought that history to life in the spookiest, most entertaining way. Mia thought she heard a female ghost, I had goosebumps, and suddenly the hotel felt even more mysterious.
The cloud-like beds
After a travel day, nothing feels more luxurious than falling into a bed that feels like a soft, fluffy cloud. The beds at The Algonquin Resort were seriously comfortable, and I still remember them for all the right reasons, including that pillow top mattress.
The dining
From breakfast at Braxton’s to fiddleheads, beautiful desserts, hot chocolate, s’mores by the fire pit, and lunch overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay, the food was a huge part of the experience. The Algonquin Resort made even simple moments feel polished and special.
The location
The resort is close to so many of the best things to do in St Andrews with kids, including Kingsbrae Garden, the Fundy Discovery Aquarium, Katy’s Cove, Saint Andrews Block House, Ministers Island, and the waterfront. It made exploring easy, which is exactly what you want on a family road trip.
The historic charm
The Algonquin Resort is not just somewhere to sleep. It feels like part of the destination. Grand architecture, old-world details, beautiful grounds, and more than a century of history made our stay feel special from the moment we arrived.
FAQs About Staying At The Algonquin Resort
Is The Algonquin Resort good for families?
Yes, The Algonquin Resort is a great family-friendly hotel in St Andrews, New Brunswick Canada. It has spacious accommodation options, beautiful grounds, an indoor heated pool, a three-storey waterslide, an outdoor pool, on-site dining, and easy access to many of the best things to do in St Andrews with kids.
Does The Algonquin Resort have a pool?
Yes. The Algonquin Resort has an indoor heated pool with a waterslide, plus an outdoor pool and hot tub. For families, this is one of the biggest reasons to stay here, especially if you are visiting St Andrews with kids or travelling during unpredictable weather.
Where is The Algonquin Resort located?
The Algonquin Resort is located in St Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick. It is close to the town centre, waterfront, Kingsbrae Garden, Katy’s Cove, the Fundy Discovery Aquarium, Minister’s Island, historic sites, shops, restaurants, and coastal views.
What restaurants are at The Algonquin Resort?
The coastal resort hotel’s current dining options include Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar, the resort’s signature dining venue, and Right Whale Pub, which serves classic pub-style fare with a Maritime twist. The resort has also historically had dining connected with the golf course, so it is worth checking current seasonal options before your stay.
Is The Algonquin Resort historic?
Yes. The Algonquin Resort originally opened in 1889 and is one of the most iconic historic hotels in New Brunswick. The original structure was damaged by fire in 1914 and rebuilt, with later additions and renovations over time. It remains one of the most recognisable places to stay in St Andrews-by-the-Sea.
Is The Algonquin Resort worth staying at with kids?
Yes, especially if you want accommodation that feels like part of the destination. The Algonquin Resort is not just a place to sleep. It gives you history, charm, comfortable room types, family-friendly amenities, on-site dining, and easy access to the best family attractions in St Andrews.
For us, it was the perfect first stop on our New Brunswick and Nova Scotia road trip.
Is the Algonquin Resort recently renovated?
The Algonquin Resort may be historic, but it is not stuck in the past. After a major renovation before joining Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the property is now undergoing further updates, including refreshed rooms, public spaces, and a new Nordic spa experience.
Explore With Erin Wrap Up: Is The Algonquin Resort Worth It?
We had high expectations for The Algonquin Resort and St Andrews, and I’m pleased to say we weren’t disappointed.
Every aspect of this beautiful luxury hotel felt refined, from the friendly service to the historic architecture, family-friendly facilities, excellent dining, and the kind of small details that make a stay feel memorable.
It is a rare hotel that manages to be both grand and welcoming. The Algonquin Resort has history, elegance, and old-world charm, but it also works for families. The indoor pool and waterslide were a major win with the kids, the rooms were comfortable, the kitchenette made life easier, and the location was ideal for exploring St Andrews with Mia and Caius.
And when we ventured into town, there were plenty of fun activities and attractions that our whole family enjoyed.
You can tell a hotel is a cut above the rest when it has been visited by royalty, photographed endlessly, and still manages to impress a globetrotting family from Australia.
Ready to book? Check the latest prices before you go, especially in summer and school holiday periods, because St Andrews is a popular seasonal destination and The Algonquin Resort is one of the most iconic places to stay in New Brunswick.
Check out the time I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel in Ottawa – Castle dreams come true.
