In Memoriam:
The Halifax Wandlyn / Bayview Motor Inn
The Bayview Motor Inn (previously the Halifax Wandlyn) was, for years, my accommodation of choice in Halifax.  It was, in its Wandlyn days, the very first place I stayed in Halifax, during the summer of 1997.  With few exceptions, I remained a loyal guest until its demolition in 2009.  The BMI was, I am quite sure, not suitable for everyone.  Even in 1997 it was slightly ragged in appearance, becoming more and more down-at-heel as time went on.  It did, however, have some interesting features.  First of all, perched as it was atop a hill, the Inn had an excellent view of the Bedford Basin, although some might quibble that it also had an excellent view of the Bedford Highway, the railway tracks, and the Fairview Cove Container Terminal, all of which produced noise 24 / 7.  But anyone with an interest in ships had a splendid view of the great container ships being nudged into dock by tugs, and of the unloading / loading process using the 4 huge container cranes.  There was always something to see from the window of Room 206, my favourite room, just above the office.  The restaurant was, at one time, excellent, especially for breakfast, but I suppose it must not have been profitable because in the Inn's last years of life the restaurant was closed.  To my mind, the Inn had a quaint Maritime feel to it which the modern brick and cement hotels downtown just could not match.  As the name "Motor Inn" would suggest, a car was necessary, but the trip downtown could be done in about 10 minutes at off-peak traffic times.  During rush hours, entering and exiting the BMI from the Bedford Highway could, I freely admit, be a challenge.  Still, I miss this friendly and comfortable spot to hang my hat in Halifax.



50 Bedford Highway


The Bayview Motor Inn was located at 50 Bedford Highway.  For years after the change in identity from Wandlyn to the Bayview Motor Inn, a sign on the Bedford Highway continued to invite travellers to stay at the Wandlyn.  My favourite room was  always 206 in the Office Block, which is shown here.  It was really classified as a suite, although the cost was certainly very reasonable.  The room spanned the entire width of the Office Block.  The front living room window of 206 (first upper window, just behind the tree) commanded a great view of the Basin.  The window in the bedroom at rear was smaller and overlooked the parking lot.  With the rear window open, one was apt to hear loudspeaker announcements from the service department of a neighbouring car dealership.  After closing its doors in 2008, and sitting empty for a year or so, the BMI was demolished in 2009, the property being scheduled for redevelopment.


Office,  gift shop, and circular stairs leading to rooms.


There were three sections to the Inn: the Office Block with rooms on the second floor, the Anchor Block shown here, and an unfortunately ordinary strip of rooms located at the rear of the property.  Anchor Block rooms had sliding doors that opened on a small patio at front.  I always stayed in either the Office Block or the Anchor Block.

The Restaurant at the BMI was very appealing and for years served wonderful breakfasts, good lunches and dinners.  It is not apparent in the angle of this photo, but diners had a great view of the Bedford Basin.  Hanging on one wall of the restaurant was a marvellous framed photo of the Basin showing an Allied convoy gathering together during WWII.


Room 206 in the Office Block.  This is the living room, featuring a view of the Bedford Basin.  The lights in the window are from the Fairview Cove Container Terminal and cars on the McKay Bridge.  A large bedroom adjoined this living room, with bathroom between.

The view from Room 206.  Those railway tracks in front are part of the main line into Halifax, used twice daily by VIA's  "The Ocean" as well as by freight trains, day and night.  The cranes of the container terminal are visible across the water, as well as countless stacked containers.