There’s a rhythm that unfolds along the drive from Saint John to St. Andrews by-the-Sea — the kind that only reveals itself when you slow down. As you leave the port city behind, the air begins to shift. The smell of salt softens into pine, the skyline gives way to rolling hills, and the highway curves like a quiet promise toward the ocean.

Just over an hour later, the trees part to reveal a scene that feels straight from another era: elegant rooftops peeking through evergreens, sailboats bobbing in the distance, and the graceful red-tiled silhouette of The Algonquin Resort rising above it all.

For travelers following the Bay of Fundy’s wild tides, this is where the adventure slows — where maritime grandeur meets small-town charm, and time seems to pause between the gulls’ cries and the rhythmic breath of the sea.

A Seaside Escape Worth the Drive

While Saint John hums with harbor life and industrial energy, St. Andrews by-the-Sea offers the opposite: calm, color, and the comforting hush of waves. It sits tucked on the southwestern edge of New Brunswick, a scenic 105-kilometer (65-mile) drive from the port — close enough for a day trip, but magical enough to deserve an overnight stay.

The route west follows Route 1, passing through pine forests, coastal wetlands, and tiny communities where general stores still serve as the local gathering place. In autumn, the drive is drenched in gold and crimson — a painter’s palette spilling over the landscape. In summer, it’s all green fields and distant ocean light.

When you finally reach St. Andrews by-the-Sea, you’ll understand why so many call it Canada’s most charming coastal village. Cobblestone lanes lead to pastel storefronts and Victorian homes draped in ivy. Seabirds drift above the harbor. There’s a hush in the air — the kind that only exists in places shaped by the tides.

And perched high on the hill above it all, The Algonquin Resort looks every bit the storybook grand dame it has always been.

A Grand Hotel with a Century of Stories

Opened in 1889, The Algonquin Resort has hosted guests for more than a century — from Canadian prime ministers and Hollywood stars to honeymooners and sea-chasing dreamers. It was built when travel itself was an art form, and the legacy shows in every detail: the sweeping verandas, the arched windows, the manicured lawns that roll toward the bay.

The resort’s architecture blends Tudor Revival with maritime flair — its signature red roof instantly recognizable against the blue of the Atlantic. Yet despite its grandeur, there’s warmth here. You can feel it in the wood floors that creak softly beneath your feet, the friendly staff who greet you by name, and the fireplaces that invite you to linger long after sunset.

Recently restored as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, The Algonquin seamlessly fuses heritage with modern comfort. The guest rooms are bright and tailored — all clean lines, crisp whites, and coastal blues that mirror the sea outside. Each space feels fresh yet rooted in history, like a love letter to its seaside setting.

The Beauty of Stillness

Perhaps the greatest luxury of The Algonquin Resort is not its chandeliers or its sweeping ocean views — it’s the stillness.

Step outside onto the veranda with your morning coffee, and the world feels unrushed. The bay shimmers below, fishing boats glide silently across the horizon, and the faint scent of sea air mixes with blooming hydrangeas in the garden.

Guests wander the property on foot — some heading for the indoor pool atrium, its glass roof catching the morning light; others to the outdoor pool terrace, where loungers overlook the pines. Couples read in the shade of striped umbrellas, their laughter echoing softly between the trees.

And when the sun begins to dip, the entire scene glows — that unmistakable golden hue that makes you reach instinctively for your camera.

It’s easy to see why photographers and travel writers adore this place. Every corner seems designed for storytelling.

Beyond the Resort — Discovering St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Just a five-minute stroll downhill leads you into the heart of St. Andrews — a village that feels like a watercolor painting brought to life. Water Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, is lined with independent boutiques, cozy cafés, and seafood restaurants that smell of butter and salt.

Grab an ice cream cone and wander toward the pier, where lobster boats rock gently in the tide. If you’re visiting in summer, whale-watching tours depart daily from the harbor. Out on the water, the chance to spot humpback whales or even the elusive North Atlantic right whale is nothing short of magical — a humbling reminder of how alive these waters are.

Just beyond town lies Kingsbrae Garden, a 27-acre horticultural masterpiece filled with winding paths, whimsical sculptures, and over 50,000 perennials. It’s one of those places that slows time — where butterflies drift lazily across rose-lined walkways and art installations peek out from behind willows.

And at low tide, adventure seekers can drive across the sandbar to Minister’s Island, a historic estate once home to Sir William Van Horne, the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The crossing itself feels cinematic — a brief window when the ocean literally parts to reveal your path.

Dining with a View

Back at The Algonquin, dinner is an event in itself. The resort’s Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar celebrates the region’s culinary heritage with a modern twist — think Fundy scallops with citrus glaze, local lobster rolls, and artisan cocktails infused with wild herbs.

The dining room glows under soft light, its windows framing the bay in the distance. On warm evenings, the terrace is the place to be: a glass of wine in hand, the hum of conversation mixing with the sound of rustling leaves.

If you prefer something more casual, head into town to try The Gables or The Chandler Room, where the seafood is as fresh as the sea breeze drifting through the door.

Days That Drift, Nights That Glow

There’s a rhythm to life at The Algonquin that feels restorative. Mornings might start with a round of golf on the resort’s historic course — designed in 1894 and framed by sweeping coastal vistas — or a leisurely walk through the gardens. Afternoons invite exploration, from kayaking the bay to browsing the local art galleries.

But no matter how you spend your day, every evening ends the same way — back on the veranda, watching the last light melt into the horizon.

As the sun disappears behind the pines, the resort’s windows begin to glow like lanterns in the dusk. The ocean quiets, the sky deepens to indigo, and you can almost hear the tide turning below.

It’s a kind of peace you don’t often find anymore — and it stays with you long after you’ve left.

Why It’s Worth the Drive

For travelers arriving by cruise ship in Saint John, The Algonquin Resort may not be on the immediate itinerary — but it absolutely should be.

The drive west along Route 1 takes just over an hour, yet it feels like crossing into another world. One moment you’re surrounded by the bustle of the port — container ships, cafés, cobblestone streets — and the next, you’re gliding past forests, fields, and the occasional glimpse of tide-swept coves.

It’s a journey that mirrors the spirit of the Bay of Fundy itself: shifting, rhythmic, full of quiet wonder. And when you arrive, the reward is undeniable — a grand resort perched above the sea, where elegance meets ease, and history hums softly beneath the sound of the waves.

This is more than just a hotel stay. It’s a pause button on the pace of modern travel — a reminder that beauty doesn’t always shout; sometimes, it whispers.

A Storybook Ending

When night settles over St. Andrews, The Algonquin transforms. The lanterns flicker to life, the gardens glow with soft uplighting, and the stars spill over the bay like scattered silver. From the veranda, you can see the faint outline of Minister’s Island and the glint of lights across the water.

Inside, the fireplaces crackle, and laughter drifts from the bar as guests trade stories of tides, whales, and winding drives.

It feels timeless — the kind of place where every traveler becomes part of the story, even if only for a night.

So if you find yourself standing on the docks of Saint John, looking out toward the horizon, wondering whether it’s worth the drive — the answer is yes.

A hundred times yes.

Because the best places aren’t always the ones right in front of you.

They’re the ones waiting quietly just beyond the city lights —

where the road curves toward the sea, and history still whispers with the wind.