St Andrew's, The Jewel by the Sea

I stayed during the month of January in cold and snowy St George. The hotel is beautifully situated, and you can see the expanse from the highway as you approach.

Check-in was easy, but there was only one other couple staying at the hotel, so busier seasons may mean slight delays. We were shown to the room, a honeymoon-style suite with queen bed (very comfortable, not too firm like many hotel beds), jacuzzi tub, sitting area, kitchenette and full bathroom.

The view from the room was beautiful, looking out over the large lawn. (It was winter and snowing, and there is no prettier picture of winters in New Brunswick than that view.)

Dinner was included in our accommodations package, and was delivered to our room. We had choice of fish, steak or chicken. I choose steak, a baked potato with vegetables, and for dessert, strawberry daiquiri cheesecake. A bottle of house wine was included as well. My companion had the chicken, which he enjoyed, and chocolate eruption cheesecake for dessert. He said it was delicious.

Movies are available for rent from the front desk, not from an in-room order service (I believe due to the size and intimacy of the hotel). Being one of two couples staying at the hotel, they gave us as many movies as we wanted for free. Great customer service.

Also available from the front desk is info on the surrounding area, including adventure trips through their sister company, The Outdoor Adventure Company. Activities such as whale watching, kayaking, bike tours, and canoeing can all be arranged through the hotel office.

This historic cafe is a fun dining experience for the whole family. Their menu is welcoming and casual, just like the dining experience.

What did I eat?
Appetizer: Seafood Cocktail (Delicious Salmon, shrimp, and scallops with lemon and cocktail sauce).
Entree: Steamboat Platter (meant for one or two. I shared this with three friends! A great platter of boiled lobster, mussels, clams, crab legs and shrimp, served with butter and rolls.)
Dessert: Chocolate Eruption Cheesecake
Drinks: My traveling companions and I shared a bottle of wine with our main course. I had a spiked coffee with dessert.

The cost of my meal was high due to my selections; however there are lots of choices for every type of budget. The staff was friendly, and the decor was fun,(like a fifties style diner with lots of extra paraphernalia).

A great experience! You don't feel like you are learning while you are having fun.

The tour is set up like a museum tour, but you can talk, laugh, ask questions and not feel like you are disturbing the other visitors.

The tidal pool allows hands on fun for even the most squeamish of visitors. I don't like slimy, squrimy or creepy crawlies, and even I couldn't pass up a chance to hold the starfish and sea cucumber.

A pretty little storefront on the main thoroughfare of St Andrews- Water Street. This store is owned by a couple who escaped the big city life after vacationing in this seaside town.

Their soaps are handmade with essential oils, and are a little slice of heaven. (My mother's favorite are their rose petal bath bombs!)

Their teas are all carefully designed for both flavour and quality. They have special blends for taming an upset stomach, relieving headaches and arthritis.

A great place to stop and pick up gifts for family and friends back home. Everyone will love receiving something from this magical garden.

Step through the door and into the world of Scotland! This tiny shop is packed full of reams of material, every tartan you could want. (I found my family's tartan in stock here). The staff is very knowledgable about Scottish clan history, and along with the beautiful materials and crests, there are also all manner of keepsakes available to remind you of your trip to this beautiful town.

Imagine stepping off a trusty wharf onto a 38-foot motorboat with 10 other adults to chase the largest mammals existing today.

Now imagine being scared of boats and doing that same action. Yikes! Yet my party was taking the tour and I didn't want to shop alone, so I swallowed my fears and climbed aboard.

The boat is completely safe, exceeding all safety standards. (I asked, believe me.) The weather before we left dock was warm and sunny, but as we travelled out onto the water, it gets cold fast. Take my advice, WEAR LAYERS! The wind off the water will chill you and ruin your experience. There was coffee, one of the "complimentary refreshments." The cup kept my hands warm.

The experience, however, was thrilling. We came up beside a humpback whale, and I was BLOWN AWAY! It was amazing to look out at a creature so huge, especially in comparison to the boat. I forgot my fears and enjoyed the rest of the tour. Dolphins swam alongside the boat (although they did not jump like they do in movies, to my disappointment). Island Quest cannot guarantee what you will see, but I wasn't disappointed. If you leave your expectations open and appreciate the sea birds as well as the ocean life, you will not regret the money spent.

I would have recommended it higher, but again, the boat made me nervous and somewhat impacted the experience.

I paid 45.00 Canadian to take the tour, but could have called in advance to book our group and receieved a discount. There are also family rates available.