Complimentary Services
Why Stay at a Bed and Breakfast?
Who was Admiral Anson?
History of the Guest House
Heritage Value of The Admiral Anson Guest House
Dear Traveler
Next time you are in Vancouver, Canada, we warmly invite you to stay with us at the Admiral Anson Guest House.
The Admiral Anson Guest House is a Heritage type family home built in 1910 with several bedrooms, large lounge, dining room with fireplace, kitchen and breakfast rooms for you to enjoy. All bedrooms are individually keyed and have desktop wash-stand sinks. There is a deck for relaxing, a large private lawn and garden with shade trees and mature Rhododendrons.
Tea and coffee available anytime you arise, so sleep in if you like. The kitchen and dining facilities are available for those who wish to cook themselves, "send out" or ask about the many fine restaurants in the area. A Corner store, Tennis courts, Local Barber Shop and several Parks are nearby. Shopping Centers, Casino, Library, and the famous Antique Alley and New Westminster Quay are all within easy walking distance. Enjoy Queens Park or stroll (or fish) along the mighty Fraser River.
The Admiral Anson is in historic New Westminster, the original Capital City of British Columbia, in the heart of the Greater Vancouver region. 20 minutes via Skytrain to downtown Vancouver, 30 minutes to the airport, the ferry to the Gulf Islands, or the U.S. Border. Pick up and drop-off is also available.
Group facilities are available for those who wish to "take over" the house for a celebration or special event. Weddings and Family Events are our specialty. Hold your company retreat, or team building day at this unique facility, with full catering available. Safe, warm and comfortable, let staying with us be one less thing to think about.
We are welcoming hosts who can accommodate as much privacy as you need, or if you like, please take advantage of our life long love and vast knowledge of Vancouver. (Did you know there are 3500 restaurants in Vancouver?)
The Admiral Anson can provide bed and breakfast for a short or long term stay at $45.00-$75.00 per day with reduced rates as the length of stay increases, as we hope it will. Rates depend upon season and occupancy. We do offer seasonal specials so be sure to phone or E-mail us to check our current offerings.
Your host,
Complimentary Services
- Local Phone Service
- Backyard barbeque
- DVD, VCR, TV in Living Room – shared use
- Computer with High Speed Internet – shared use
- High Speed Wireless Internet
- Laundry on site – Coin operated
- Resources Library on British Columbia
- Local Papers, Book and Magazine Library
- Off Street Parking
- Weddings with special access to Marriage Commissioners!
Additional Services (ask for pricing)
- Pick Up and Drop Off (at airport and ferries)
- Main Floor Meeting Room
Local Advice on what to do/see – ( Priceless!)
Why Stay at a Bed and Breakfast?
When I have traveled all over the world I have always tried to stay at local Bed and Breakfasts for several reasons.
VALUE: they offer the best value in accommodations especially compared to the major hotel chains. Also the little extras can really add value to your stay.
ATMOSPHERE: Quieter, more comfortable and more fun than a hotel, each B&B offers a unique setting the reflects the owner and history of the area. Hotels can be impersonal, B&B’s often reflect the warmth of their owners
THE OWNERS: Often gracious eccentrics who can charm and provide invaluable information on what to do and where to go that only a local would know. You can come as a guest and often leave as a friend.
So Live a Little, stay at a local Bed and Breakfast!
Who was Admiral Anson?
George Anson was born in 1697. One would be hard pressed to find a man of the royal British navy who was more decorated and honored than George Anson: As a 15 year old he entered the navy, at 21 an officer and by 27 he was the captain of his own naval ship. After a spectacular round the world trip, lasting three years and nine months, Anson was made a rear-admiral, in 1744. His most notable feat was the 3 year circumnavigation of the globe. Admiral Anson also, almost inadvertently, became one of the richest navy men at the time; his riches mostly coming to him as his share of the treasure of the Nuestra Señora de Covadonga which he took in 1743, valued at £ 500,000, a fabulous sum for those days.
The Admiral's good fortune was to stumble upon a Spanish ship so laden with gold as to be slow and easily overtaken. Admiral Anson's good fortune continued on his voyage home, his ship now fully laden with gold. Approaching the English Channel he was confronted by the entire Spanish Armada. As luck would have it, a fog suddenly blew in allowing the Admiral to slip into London harbor. The rest is history. Now enjoy the good fortune of the Admiral by staying with us at the Admiral Anson Guest House. Check out some of our treasures.
History of the Guest House
The home was built in 1910 by a local fishermen for his family. From the front porch he could view his beloved Fraser River which provided his livelihood as one of the world’s greatest salmon bearing rivers. If you come in late summer and fall you can see this amazing migration upstream as the salmon leap in the river. The house later went on to be a Language School run by a School Marm for many years and hence the construction of the fire escapes from the upperfloor at the back. Our current neighbor, Parnell who still lives down the street, was born in the house he is in, and remembers the history of our house and the street.
In 1986 Glynn and Myrna Ball from England, bought the house and lovingly restored many aspects of it. Being a sea going engineer Glynn built in many interesting features for example, the middle bathroom is modeled after a ships bathroom with tiles up the wall and a drain in the floor. The fireplace has a clever levered baffle system which draws in outside air, another clever design by Glynn. Myrna decorated the Great room and bedrooms with wall papers with an English feel and it has operated as a Bed and Breakfast ever since then. They continue to own and restore other properties in the area. Allan and family are the proud owners since May 2005. They are in the process of upgrading all areas of the home and landscaping. Drop by, we would love to show you around. (Check out the peak roof, the "Bonnet"of this grand old dame, carefully restored to it's original cedar wood roofing, which was under 4 layers of asphalt tiles!)
Heritage Value of The Admiral Anson Guest House
The former Moir Residence is significant for its association with the Edwardian-era development of the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood. Initially conceived by Colonel Moody as a neighbourhood for the working classes, Brow of the Hill is characterized by its steep topography and expansive views of the Fraser River. The neighbourhood began to develop in the 1890s with the construction of modest homes, attracting buyers who worked downtown. The sustained industrial and business activity in New Westminster's core continued to spur residential development during the Edwardian era.
The first owner of the house was Robert A. Moir, a fisherman who worked on the Fraser River. Built in 1915, it is unusual for its date of wartime construction, that demonstrates the boom in the food supply industries that occurred during the First World War. Rising food costs brought an unexpected prosperity to many farmers and fishermen.
Author
Donald Luxton
Heritage Architectural Consultant
Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.donaldluxton.com