Toad Hollow Photography

We’ve got an interesting story to share with everyone today that will resonate with most.  When we were tadpoles growing up, my folks used to take us on vacations annually.  We’d either head over to the Rockies with a trailer in tow to take in the absolutely stunning scenery in the Jasper/Banff area of Canada, or we’d load up some suitcases and head out on the road staying in inexpensive inns and motels.

As youngsters the motels and inns were a lot of fun to stay in.  Usually we’d try to find one right in the heart of the town or city we were staying in, so all the attractions and amenities we wanted to partake in were all close-by.  Usually after hauling all the luggage up to the room and doing a quick look-over of the room and it’s contents, we’d head out to explore the motel/inn and its immediate surroundings.  It was a bit of an adventure.

Times change.  Today we see many of these motels and inns are being somewhat neglected and in some cases in larger cities are attracting a crowd that is not conducive to family gatherings.  A couple of years ago in Vancouver, Mrs. Toad and myself were in town for a specific reason and stayed in one such place, only to be awoken at 2:00AM by the sound of a kerfuffle going on downstairs.  A quick peek through the window revealed a fleet of police cars with flashing blue and red lights…  lot’s of activity going on.  In the morning, we noticed bullet holes in a door to a room that was downstairs.  Not sure if the holes were actually created by gun-play that night we were there, but all these elements quickly added up to a rather nervous feeling on my part.  “Nice place baby, time to go!”

On today’s adventure together we are going to take a look at Admiral Inn, located right in the heart of Victoria, BC, Canada on Vancouver Island.  Over the years, this inn has become somewhat of an icon with locals, and a definite place to stay with your family if you are in town to take in the sights and sounds.  Centrally located, everything of interest is a mere few minutes walk from your room if you’re staying here.

These images here are probably going to be some of the very last pictures of this facility.  In 2008 a group of architects got together and designed a post-modern condominium unit that was designed to replace this inn.  Local residents immediately became incensed with the infusion of such starkly modern architecture to be mixed in with the lovely heritage architecture that is prevalent in the immediate area.  Between the downturn in the economy and the results this has had on the real estate market as a whole, and public pressure, this plan was scrapped.

A new plan is currently being worked on by the architects, and word has it the new design is much more subdued in terms of over the top post-modern styling and will fit in much better with the surrounding buildings.

We believe it’s only a short time now until the plans are formalized, and the Admiral Inn here has a date set with a wrecking ball.

This leaves us with a slightly melancholy sense as this is one less place that families can come and stay in the heart of the city when they visit, in a facility that is relatively inexpensive and conducive to family visits.  All the other hotels in the immediate area are all high-class, expensive luxury facilities and this will most definitely impact on many families abilities to come and stay in terms of affordability.

For me, personally, when I stand back and look at the inn here, I see in my mind’s eye all sorts of little tadpoles all excited to come to Victoria to see all the wonders. They are running about the landings, looking out to the ocean and taking in the ambience that Victoria is so famous for.  Soon these images in my mind will all be ghosts I am afraid.

Many thanks for your kind visit today!  We really hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post, and we welcome you to leave us any comments you may have as we truly love to hear from all our visitors.