The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection

We frequently stay in Marriott properties, and are lifetime Titanium members. For nearly twenty years, the Algonquin Resort was one of our favorite annual traditions. We returned year after year because of the hotel’s elegant and tasteful decor, beautifully appointed rooms, wonderful amenities, expansive grounds, and ideal proximity to the historic town of St. Andrews. It always felt like a grand yet comfortable resort experience — distinctive, charming, and worthy of its history. Sadly, after our most recent visit, it is unlikely we will return. While the guest rooms may have been due for a refresh, the latest renovation is genuinely baffling. Whoever oversaw the redesign made a dramatic miscalculation. From the paint colors and furnishings to the flooring and room appointments, nearly every choice feels cheap, generic, and completely disconnected from the character of a historic resort hotel. The overall effect is less timeless elegance and more generic motel. What makes this especially disappointing is that a previous renovation a number of years ago had actually been handled quite well. Even as those rooms began to show some age, they still retained a sense of warmth, quality, and understated sophistication appropriate to the property. The new design abandons all of that. The prices, meanwhile, remain in luxury-hotel territory, but the rooms no longer reflect that standard. It is difficult to justify premium rates for accommodations that now resemble something far more generic and inexpensive. The Algonquin has long been a special place for us, which makes writing this review particularly sad. We sincerely hope management reconsiders the direction these renovations have taken, because a great historic hotel has lost much of the character and charm that once made it exceptional. To end on a positive note, the Algonquin has always been wonderfully welcoming to guests traveling with dogs. Over many years of visits with our small dog, we consistently appreciated the hotel’s warmth, hospitality, and pet-friendly atmosphere.

My three-night stay at this hotel was unfortunately one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I've had in a long time. I booked an "ALGONQUIN VIEW" room, described as overlooking St. Andrews, Passamaquoddy Bay, and beyond. At check-in, I was informed that due to my Bonvoy Gold status, I would receive an upgrade to a "STUDIO ROOM." I pointed out that I had booked the "ALGONQUIN VIEW" room category specifically for the view. Aside from the poor condition of the "STUDIO ROOM" (stained carpet, worn furniture), the room was located directly next to a construction site. In addition to the view on the construction site, the staff at the front desk could not assure that noisy work would not be taking place there in the coming days. I therefore refused the upgrade and requested a room in the "ALGONQUIN VIEW" category, I had booked. These rooms were unfortunately not available, thus I was offered a downgrade to an "ALGONQUIN KING" room on a higher floor, which had a view at the town and the St. Croix River. Since it was already after 9 pm and I didn't want to argue any further, I accepted the offer. The room had been renovated a few years ago and was nicely furnished. Unfortunately, I wasn't offered any compensation, but that wasn't important to me. What really bothered me over the next two days, however, was the poor housekeeping. The beds were made very sloppily, the bathroom was only partially cleaned, the wet shower mat was left where I placed it in the morning, the empty tissue box wasn't replaced, coffee capsules and water weren't refilled, and no clean cups were provided. My verbal and telephone requests to the front desk to refill the coffee went unanswered. When I showed up at reception at least with the used cups, empty water bottles, and the used coffee capsule waste did I receive any help. (Thank you, Tetiana!) As an apology, I received a drink voucher for i.e. domestic beer at the bar (which later led to a short discussion with the bartender why a Moosehead beer from Saint John, NB is „domestic“ and a Foghorn beer from Rothesay, NB is not, finally we got the Foghorn English Pale Ale…) and a voucher for the breakfast buffet before departure. Unfortunately, breakfast wasn't a great experience either, as the staff was very slow and seemed unmotivated. In addition to the costs stated at the time of booking, a resort fee of CAD 30 per night was charged. These hidden costs were not mentioned when I booked several months prior. All in all, my expectations were unfortunately not met. I paid more and received significantly less than anticipated. This is very disappointing, as it is a truly beautiful resort with a lot of charm. The service definitely needs improvement.

We come to this hotel on our birthdays and our list trip was fantastic. We didn’t have the best time in November and almost didn’t come back. We got one of the refreshed rooms, everything was comfortable and relaxing. We enjoyed our evening down by a fire place and ate at the pub. I’m relieved to say last fall’s trip must have been a one-off.

Upon check-in the credit card information which was on file when booked did not work. Got to room and everything seemed very dusty, all the bottles were empty in shower (shampoo, conditioner and body wash). Called front desk, took 40mins for replacement. Overall not the best experience for the price you pay. 6/10

As a frequent guest I am wondering what steps,if any, have been taken to address the recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in the hotel restaurant that infected a number of guests?