About Us
Algonquin Backpackers was founded in 1996 in the historic Arlington Hotel, an Algonquin area landmark and heritage building, the first backpacker hostel established in the Algonquin region making the well known wilderness park accessible to travellers with a limited budget and without their own transportation. We are an Hostelling International facility with a true backpackers hostel atmosphere!
Your Hosts
Tom Newman, owner/manager, a lifetime resident of the Algonquin area and a regular backpacker and outdoor enthusiast, resides in hostel
Nancy Newman, Tom's Mom, retired school teacher, supervises the hostel housekeeping, a sharp eye for cleanliness.
Tom and Nancy have travelled extensively, with combined experience in 9 Canadian provinces, 35 US States and over 80 countries. Related to Algonquin icon, artist Tom Thomson .
About Maynooth
The village of Maynooth, derives it's name from a town located near Dublin Ireland. Founded in the 1870's at the corner of two colonization roads the government forced through the rugged wildnerness of Central Ontario. Maynooth offers a real taste of rural Canada and country living on Algonquin Park's quiet east side.
Through the years our hostel has welcomed travellers from over 60 different countries allowing them a comfortable and affordable way to enjoy the beauty of Algonquin Park and the hospitality of rural Canada.
A few comments from our guestbook...
"Tom, you deserve all the praise you get for making this hostel a really special place for people to visit. It feels just like home here and your local knowledge was priceless both at the park and in the village!"
Alia & Gary Short, England 2008
"What a great hostel! The stay was great and I fell in love with the quaint little town. ...I very much enjoyed my stay, thank you for the wonderful hospitality! I will be sure to tell my friends in Switzerland!
B. Banks, Switzerland 2007
"This is one of the nicest hostels I've been to and I've been to quite a few. I loved it. Thanks for your hospitality and your hiking advice.
Kim, Netherlands 2006
"Dear Tom. We have really enjoyed our stay here. We really thank you and Nancy for all of your kindness. ~ It was really nice to come in here, snuggle in our beds and relax."...
S. Shelly, USA 2005
"Thanks for the lovely stay. ~ Will definitely come back here, is one of the best hostels i've stayed at. Thanks tom for taking me out & being so knowledgeable about the area."
Tracy, New Zealand 2004
"Thanks Tom, we are halfway through our stay here and already its one of my fave places to stay in Canada! You make your home feel like our home and you obviously have a passion for travelling and know what 'us travellers' are all about! Thanks again.'
A. Wilson, Australia 2003
"The Algonquin Park offers a lot of lovely places. I liked the hostel and the way you pay attention to your guests. Thanks."
L. Verschueren, Belgium 2002
"Merci beaucoup. I really had a great time here. This hostel will stay in my mind."
Sandrine, France 2001
"Tom, you made me feel at home. I won't forget this place. Thank you"
K. Ferrer, Germany 2000
"Definitely the best hostel I've ever stayed in ~ will recommend this place to all fellow travellers. Thanx a lot.
V. van Rooyen, South Africa 1999
"What a surprise an oasis in northern Ontario. Comfortable and the real country"
E. Cargill, Canada 1998
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