To all our valued readers. We have moved The Admiral Inn Blog to our official website! You can now keep up to date with our posts at http://www.admiral.bc.ca/blog/!

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you at our new home!

Check out our specials and deals page for our baseball package and our chess special.

Chess players and their families who are coming into Victoria for the Canadian Youth Chess championships, (July 25 to 28) can stay with us for some unbelievable rates. And for two days before and after (as well as during) the championships, we’ll waive the third person fee for an extra person in your room. Not only that, but we’re practically next door to the championship venue – it’s just down the street from us here at the Admiral.

If you book over the August first weekend, we’ll include (free to you!) tickets to the All Stars Baseball game, held at Athletic Park, and our room rates have to be seen to be believed. All Stars baseball is a fun, family oriented baseball game that pits retired pro players against some of Victoria’s best police ball players. Funds raised from the event go to support the Firefighters Benevolent Youth Sports fund – the money helps kids at risk by involving them in sports.

There’s lots going on in the City of Gardens this month, and we’d love to have you stay at the Admiral while you enjoy any and all of them.

First up, after the spectacular Canada Day celebrations is the continuing Jazzfest – it’s still not too late to come into town to enjoy some of the best jazz on the planet – at various venues through the city, various local, national and international artists and guaranteed good times. Check out the Jazz Society’s website for more detailed information.

Next up is the Festival Mexicano – the weekend of July 9, 10, 11. Organized by the Victoria Multicultural Society as “a way of promoting great food, music and dance.” Sounds like a great party to me! The action starts Friday night as part of the regular Salsa Palace, at 1415 Broad St. and then moves to Centennial square for the next two days. The festival points out that the Centennial Square venue is geared toward family participation, so bring the kids and have a great time! Oh, and it’s free!

Then, for the sun loving art aficionados among us, there’s the Moss Street Paint in – July 18. Now in its 22nd year, the Paint-in takes up all of Moss Street from Fort right down to Dallas road. Over 100 local invited artists display their work and produce their art on the street. Food and beverages available, and there’s  music and refreshments available through the evening. The paint in is free admission.

For those who prefer more sedentary pursuits, there’s the Summer Chess Fest and the Canadian Youth Chess Championships going on at the museum and the Grand Pacific Hotel – but be sure to catch the live person chess game at the Royal BC museum, on July 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. That should be fascinating. The Summer chess fest is only from the 20 to the 21, but the Youth Championships go on until the 24.  Admission is free and the competition should be exciting. (If you like chess!)

Finally, there’s Luminara - the festival of light held in Beacon Hill Park & St. Ann’s Academy on the evening of July 25. Bring lanterns, masks and good spirits for this wonderful event. Not sure about making masks or lanterns? Then check into their lantern and mask workshops, held Sundays in July at 10:00 at the Fairfield Community Centre – cost involved in the workshops. Or, if you’re a last minute type person, the James Bay Community Centre will be holding a workshop on the 23rd – same costs apply for supplies.

All these events take place in beautiful downtown Victoria, not far from the Inner harbour, which the Admiral is adjancent to. We’re within walking distance of everything, so come and stay with us for any or all of these events – or for whatever you want to do. Our friendly and helpful front desk staff will be pleased to answer your questions, make suggestions, book tours and reservations and even draw up an itinerary for you so that your stay with us can be as easy, fun and as problem free as humanly possible. We look forward to seeing you at the Admiral!

True, it’s one of the tried and true Christmas classics, but the Belfrey Theatre is proud to present, on June 19, at the Belfey Arts Centre, a talk and presentation by one of the actors in that classic film, Karolyn Grimes. Karolyn played Zuzu Bailey in the film (the Jimmy Stewart character’s daughter), as well as “Debbie” in the 1947 Christmas film The Bishop’s Wife.

She’s been honoured with a star on her home state’s Walk of Fame (Missouri) and has received the Edwin P. Hubble medal of iniative in 2007. Come out to hear her presentation and get your copy of her book signed at the Collective Work Gallery on June 20.

The Belfrey Theatre will be presenting Wingfield Lost and Found July 21 – August 15.  Starring Rod Beattie, the play follows Walt Wingfield, stockbroker turned farmer, in his seventh year ‘on the land’. While dealing with the worst drought in 25 years, and trying to cope with a wife and baby, Walt learns that searching can turn up more than what is lost and teach us the value of more than what is found.

The Admiral isn’t that far from the Belfry Theatre, or from the Fernwood neighbourhood. We can book tickets for you for any of the theatre’s productions, and would be happy to do so. Just let the reservations clerk know when you email or call to book your stay with us.

Yes, we are! Resorts and Lodges.com has judged the Admiral Inn top of the pick for both Victoria and lower Vancouver Island! Check out their site, for sure, but here’s what they have to say about us:

In more ways than just its location, the Admiral Inn is the heart of Victoria’s harbour area. The inn has been welcoming people here for more than 20 years, and it’s become a part of its surroundings. The grand Parliament buildings, downtown Victoria shopping, the serene Butchart Gardens and the unique thrill of a harbour ferry tour are all nearby, and the staff will help you create just the Victoria getaway for you. The Admiral Inn is terrific for families, with a daily continental breakfast and a full range of kid’s supplies and games available for loan. Its 33 spacious rooms and suites feature all the amenities and provide breathtaking harbour views – a complete Victoria BC getaway!

Not bad for a tiny hotel with a terrific team just waiting to make your vacation or getaway a memorable and relaxing event. Be sure to check out our specials and deals page, and our website, and take our virtual tour (see tabs above and links to the right.) We can’t wait to see you here.

If you wish to inquire about our prices and dates of room availability, please click the new link on the right – the Admiral’s inquiry page.  We’re happy to give prices, answer your questions, book tours while you’re staying with us.

Okay, it’s old – but then so is the Victoria International Jazz Festival – 25 years old this year! Old as they are, though, it’s still one of the best jazz, blues and world music festivals going with enough energy to power the city and enough music to keep us all happy. This year there are over 425 musicians from all over the world. 90 exciting performances in 11 venues.

Check out some of these performers – Nikki Yanofsky, Shuffle Demons, Jason Hwang’s Edge, Blue King Brown, Joyce, Simon Fisk Trio, Duke Robillard Band, Marc Atkinson Electric Band, Monks’ Casino and The Message. Those are just the tip of the iceberg. The venues are great – Hermann’s Jazz Club, the Royal Theatre, Hotel Grand Pacfic, Centennial Square. Not only that, but there’s 5 days of workshops and clinics, generously taught by the Robin Nolan Trio, Kenny Werner, the Jeni Fleming Sextet, Kurt Elling and members of the So What Band. Not only can you listen to great jazz and blues, if you play, you can register for one of the workshops and learn from the masters! Wow – does it get any better? Don’t think so!

The city is filling up fast, and if you’re a jazz, blues or world music fan, and you like to get down and party hardy (yeah, I know, it’s corny – what can I say? I can’t speak jazz!) you better book your rooms now, or there very likely won’t be any by the time the festival opens. Check out our June/July specials, but remember, it’s a two night minimum and it’s subject to availability – of which there isn’t much left!

Come on out to Victoria and enjoy some of the best jazz and blues on the planet!

You won’t see Jackie Gleason or Audrey Meadows from the old TV show, but we are a honeymoon destination. Bride Magazine’s website says so! Not only can we make your honeymoon happy, relaxed, trouble free and comfortable, if you have a small enough wedding party, you can have the nuptuials in our front lobby!

Check out the story on honeymoon spots on Vancouver and the Gulf Islands, and browse through the rest of the site while you’re at it, but here’s what they have to say about us:

Right in the heart of downtown Victoria, next to the inner harbour, is the Admiral Inn, a great place to lay the head after all those wedding stresses. Gorgeous harbour views, charming decor and inviting rooms (the Honeymoon Suite is adorable).

Travelers of all sorts come here. It’ snot your stereotypical spot by any means.  Botanical buffs, golfers, cyclists or adventurers, whoever you are, you’ll definitely find a sight or service that tickles your fancy. This is a great honeymoon venue and a perfect homebase for an outdoorsy couple wanting to explore Victoria and the West Coast, go sailing, hiking, fishing, whale watching and even shopping!

And you’re in the middle of it here! There’s action going on all around. But the quiet and relaxed ambience makes the Admiral Inn a modest oasis in downtown Victoria.

Be sure to check the Brides site out and then call us to book your honeymoon stay! Make sure you tell us it’s your honeymoon, too!

That’s right – it’s Swiftsure weekend this weekend, and if you want to come to Victoria to see one of the most exciting sailing races on this coast, you’d better hurry and book your rooms now. They’re going fast, and we’re filling up. We’re close to several of the start and finish points of the races, so you’ll be able to get a good view of the vessels without much travel time.In addition to the races themselves, there are parties and events going on all week – beginning Thursday and going until Sunday. You’re going to regret it if you don’t come out for this exciting annual event!

We still have our May and June specials on so if you book now, for two or three nights, you get a really great deal! Don’t forget our complimentary continental breakfast – with home baked muffins (and oh, are they ever GOOD!) Check our Specials page for details.

Uno starts on May 21st and runs until the end of the month. In its 12th year, UNO showcases solo performance artists from around the world. Held at a variety of venues in the city (most within walking distance of the Admiral), it’s a wonderful collection of comedy, dance, and drama. Additionally, there will be performance workshops and new shows in development. Just a few of the talented artists you will enjoy: Anusree Roy, with a terrific show about an untouchable dishwasher in India, Carly Yeates plays a cowgirl so determined to ditch her hometown she’ll even join the ‘Teenage Jesus Girls Camp’ in Honduras – and then watch the sparks! Brian Fidler is the genius behind “Cam and Legs”; a puppet show with a difference, wherein a headless, gotta dance, gotta move puppet works toward his dreams of being a DJ and being featured on the cover of DJ magazine. “Fidler tells the story of the aspiring DJ with perfect, whimsical, heartbreaking pitch. And this puppet can move it, move it, move it!” (Calgary Herald). And those are just a few of the amazingly talented and creative performers who will be appearing at UNO. Be sure to book with us for several nights, and let us know how you enjoyed the performances.

There is just so much going on around Victoria this weekend – you’re missing out if you don’t drop by for at least one of the events!

Tickets may still be available for the Canadian Pacific Ballet performances of Victoria and Albert May 16 and 17 – if you book two nights with us (at $99.00, based on double occupancy and subject to availability) we can reserve tickets for you. Just let us know!

The Celtic Festival is gearing up – there’s going to be a strong man competition. So, daytime you indulge in Scots culture and sports, night you go to the ballet – can there be any better way to spend the Victoria Day weekend? May 16 & 17, Topaz Park.

If you’re feeling like a rowdy good time, the Luxton Rodeo is on this weekend as well – Sooke Road and Happy Valley Road. We can’t allow free parking for your horse (the city frowns on that) but the Petting Zoo might be persuaded! May 16 – 18.

If you’re interested in light classical music, and music from shows, check out the Palm Court Orchestra, in Duncan on May 17, at the Cowichan theatre. Music from Brigadoon and Carosel, featuring soprano Nancy Washeim.

If Jazz is more your thing, then Herman’s Jazz Club is the place for you! This weekend, there’s a Latin Jazz jam and a women’s showcase – along with good food and great drinks. What more could you ask?

May 18 and 19, the Maritime Museum in our own Bastion square is participating in International Museum days. This year the focus is on environmental conservation. Best of all, free admission.

If you’re into other forms of dance besides ballet, you might want to check out the Body Talk project. May 14 to 18, it’s free dance classes – hip hop and First Nations – offered by Urban Spirits Dance Company, being held in Nanaimo. For more information, click on the Vancouver Island Events link, to the right.

There’s more coming up – stay tuned for information about the Jazz Festival, and lots of other events happening in June and July, and be sure to book well in advance for the Festival – most of the city’s hotels are sold out for this week long party.