Best Western Dorchester Hotel

This is my favourite hotel in BC. I travel for work and have been staying here for at least 20 years and have never had a bad experience. Folks working there are always professional, polite and a pleasure to deal with. The rooms are all immaculate and everything works as expected. Recently updated bathroom lighting is so good! Hotel is downtown so you may hear some people on the sidewalk at night but the windows block that out well. Rooftop patio on the third floor is a great spot to chill and catch up on work while getting some sun.

Great room and amenities. On site restaurant was okay, better dining options available within walking distance. Lack of on site parking was a real problem.

Great hotel, excellent staff.

Excellent downtown stay! The location is perfect for exploring the harbour and local shops. Our room (428) was large with a stunning harbour view. We were pleasantly surprised to find free 24/7 laundry facilities on-site—a huge plus for travelers. Parking is free on Front Street, but definitely use the Church Street entrance to drop off your bags first, as the Front Street side has stairs and no ramp.

I would have given this hotel a higher mark, unfortunately, my experience at checkout was very disappointing and overshadowed the stay. I was traveling with a lot of luggage and I asked if someone could bring a luggage cart up to my room for checkout so I wouldn't have to make multiple trips. I was asked to wait, but after some time I was told that no one was available to help. When I went down to the lobby myself, there were several people at reception, including one staff member simply standing idle, which made the refusal hard to understand. I have to go up and down 3 times. I was so stressed out that in my haste I even forgot my charger which was still in socket. Additionally, the body wash dispenser in the room was empty. Even after requesting housekeeping, this was not checked or refilled, which suggests a lack of attention to basic room details. Due to the lack of assistance and poor follow-through on simple requests, I would not recommend this hotel. Future guests may have a better experience at the Coast hotel located directly behind this property.

Only here for 1 night but served us very well. Centrally located with shops, bars and restaurants on the doorstep. Room was decent size and very comfortable. Free parking round the corner in their own designated area. Lovely reception staff. Nice pub connected to the hotel. Nothing wrong at all with this place.

After reading some of the negative reviews on here we approached the hotel with some trepidation . However our fears were unfounded and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. There were some negative points - the decor in the upper floors needs updating, signage around these floors also needs improving as it's rather a maze and easy to take the wrong turn or stairs. Our room would only lock when we gave an extra pull on the handle and you had to hold the handle down on the toilet to fully flush it. However these minor issues were greatly overshadowed by the positive points. The staff were without exception extremely friendly and helpful. Special mention should be made of Snigdha on reception who went above and beyond to make our stay a happy one and we were very grateful to her. Secondly the location was extremely convenient for the harbour side in Nanaimo. Our room was spotlessly clean and well appointed with a lovely view of the sea. Finally the hotel parking was appreciated and very close by. We would stay at this hotel again if we were ever in Nanaimo.

Fantastic hotel! Wonderful experience as always at the Dorchester. My family and myself had a great stay here. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Plus great location, right across the street from the waterfront. The bed's are comfortable and decent sized room. We really love the older building with character. Add's to the charm. The one and only downfall would be the lack of parking. But overall was a nice place to stay.

This hotel is located near the Nanaimo harbour in the downtown area. There are many steps to get into the hotel unless you park at their back door to unload luggage. You cannot park there. Parking is at the side of the hotel & despite a sign saying you need a pass you apparently don't. We were told multiple times our room would be ready only to be put off for a lengthy period of time before it was. We did receive an apology & also received an upgraded room which we appreciated (due to a pet allergy) but despite a good view of the harbour the room overlooked the main road & was very noisy. There is no sound insulation with the windows or doors. We could hear everything in the hallway & through the windows. The bed was comfortable but the pillows were thin, flat and unsupportive. The fan in the bathroom was loud & the tap in the shower squealed loudly when turned on. There is no breakfast included. It would have been nice to have been given a voucher or discount at the restaurant in the hotel- which is apparently privately owned. On the morning we left there was a large water puddle with a tar like substance coming from under the floor by the fridge. Unsure what that was but it definitely needed to be addressed. There is one washer & one dryer on the 3rd floor. They are free to use but were quite dirty & we had to clean them before using them. Ice is not located on every floor. It's not the experience I would have hoped for at a Best Western. I did the online survey I was sent but received a generic response from the GM without any acknowledgement of the issues I took the time to make them aware of.

This is an awful and dingy hotel with no accessibility for luggages, disgusting smell of sewage, and extremely uncomfortable beds and pillows. I am currently staying at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel in Nanaimo and it is 2:30 am, wishing I have never booked this hotel! The photos online is deceiving and the hotel is nothing like what they are trying to portrait. This building is old and the floor is sinking. The structural integrity is questionable. They put fans in the halls to mask a clearly ongoing problem of smell and poor ventilation. The ceiling and walls are paper-thin so you hear all your neighbours. When someone moves upstairs, the whole ceiling shakes and rumbles. The furnitures in the room are shimmed in an attempt to level them. However, they are still far from meeting at right angle as the floor is obviously sloped. You can feel it clearly as you walk over them. The bathroom is full of stains and cracks. The mirror edges are falling apart… I can go on and on… Bottom line: I think there are some newer and refurbished rooms in this hotel that might be better, hence the mixed reviews. But I really wish I had read more reviews and not take the gamble on this place and end up with the room I'm in… still unable to get any sleep!

Had an awful experience. I stopped by a week prior in person to my reservation to ask if I could prepay as this was a three room rental for guests at my wedding. I was told I couldn't prepay and could do so at checkout. Come day of check-in guests with a baby are told they can't check in without me present. I missed my dinner at my wedding because of this. I gave best western more than ample time to offer a solution for their neglect, but after getting no call back for over a week, after being told I would, I had to reach out to them but basically was told it's a he said she said issue and that the best they could do was a travel card for $100. Icing on the cake was how after I stopped by a week prior to try to prepay, I'm then told by the manager afterwards that I could have pre authorized payment and that essentially this couldn't possibly have been staff neglect or being uninformed and that I made a mistake. Really a huge shame leaving me with a really poor taste in my mouth, just like when I missed my dinner at my wedding.

This building going back to 1880 has charming views of the harbor on one side, 3 restaurants, and dedicated parking in two lots on Front Street. The parking is handy. We also ate last night in "The View." Acceptable. About $200 (with tax, USD) per night. Not too much noise from the main street out front. Enjoy!

Best staff! Best lounge and restaurant! The location is perfect especially if taking a float plane. Great view of marina across from hotel. Short walk to the casino. As well. I always feel like a Queen from attention from the staff. I look forward to my next stay!

I was here October 2024 for a conference. Location: Great location. Downtown Nanaimo is small, and it is slightly hilly where this hotel is located. Tip: easier to come in through the front side off the main road. The back side has a lot of steps and you can't drive right up to the door. It is a short shuttle 5-10 ride from the Hullo ferries terminal. It is also walkable to the terminal in about 30 minutes (which unfortunately I ended up doing on my return as the shuttle was cancelled with no warning for two days but that is for another review.). Uber is not a thing here, only taxis. As the area is small, there are shops and restaurants close by but it is definitely a small town with the largest grocery store being Thrifty Foods and London Drugs, which is at an outdoor plaza mall that is about a 10 minute walk back in the direction of the ferry terminal. There are a few restaurants within walking distance but it is very limited. E.g. there is one thai place, and one japanese place. Not a lot of choice or competition. Safety: No real concern as a female traveler however it gets dark early in October and everything shuts down so I wasn't out late at night. During the day you will notice some homeless unfortunately. Amenities: the hotel is tired, old and worn out. It has a very basic and strange layout - it is actually a couple of old buildings pieced together so that there are stairways and hallways in unexpected places that joing up and it's not wheelchair accessible on all floors or areas. I was on the 4th floor and coming out of the elevator, required to turn one way and go down a few steps before I could reach my room down another corridor. My room itself was quite large with a desk and seating area and television. Basic small fridge. The bathroom is very dated (see photo). There was also a bit of a faint smell to the room but I'm not quite sure if it was related to the heating. Housekeeping does not come unless you notify them to do so the day before. Very no frills. Wifi is included for free. The lobby of the hotel is attached to 2 restaurants so you don't have to step outside to access them. One is the high end View Oceanside Grille. Looked good but menu was pricey. (e.g. Lamb sirloin $38, stuffed chicken supreme $38.50, braised short ribs $42, Chimmichurri Sole $45, Lobster Seafood Platter $65.50). The other restaurant was Top Notch Burgers, a much more casual restaurant serving burgers that ranged from $21+). Rooms averaged $150/night CAD but this is high compared to when there isn't an event in town where rates drop to almost half that ($79/night CAD). Service: In this day of internet and cell phones, I was checked on by text messages daily asking if everything was ok. I did see a silverfish one morning on the ceiling and noted this when they asked me and to their credit, they offered to switch rooms for me. If you're looking for a newer hotel, there is the Marriott Courtyard which is new (within the last couple of years) and is also quite close by (walking distance).

I read some other reviews critical of this hotel, but I found it a very nice place to stay. The room was modern, clean, comfortable and well-appointed. Bonus that you can open the windows for fresh air. Great location near the harbour. There are two very nice restaurants under the same roof. The staff were very nice too! Parking is a bit limited, but it is in a busy downtown area.

Just ok Fridge didn't keep cold and the outside of fridge was hotter than normal The ac fan unit in the room didn't function properly and I like a fan noise when trying to sleep They take coffee away before 8 am! Wow! Good location but a terrible set up for parking Best I can give is 3 stars as no hot tub and no free breakfast like most other Best Westerns

Firstly, the smell as you walk in is terrible and whatever it is emanates up to the bedrooms. Previous reviews have mentioned this smell and it really needs fixing. The bedroom we had was tired looking, basic and overlooked the busy road with views of the harbour, so lots of traffic noise and not a view worthy of note in my honest opinion. The bathroom had no window and also drainage problems which when showering or cleaning teeth meant water coming up into the bath and sink. We had 3 nights booked here and left after the first night. It didn't help that most of Nanaimo is not open Sun - Tue. Grim town, grim accommodation, never again.

They have two allotted parking lots located behind the building (not through a parking lot! You have to go over one street, down another and THEN behind the building) h Both lots were full so I was told I had to park on the street and then walk back to the lobby (uphill) in the pitch black. (You may also have to zigzag your way through some shady characters on the way). All that and there was no spots left on the street!! I went back to the lobby again, extremely frustrated by this point and was told that I would have to use a parkade a little further down the street at which point I said NO. I asked if I could leave my car in the loading zone and I would be gone before 7:00 a.m. ( it was past 9:30pm at this point) and they said no and they can't make any exceptions so I asked to speak to a manager. They said there was no one that they could call at this hour so I said cancel my reservation for this evening and I am not paying for it. All of a sudden there was someone they could call and in the end I could leave my car in the loading zone for a period of less than 10 (it was big enough for at least four or five cars and there was nobody else in it at this point) I spend three to four months a year in hotel rooms and always Best Westerns when I can. This was by far the worst experience I ever had in any Best Western Hotel. Note: If you have any type of mobility issues, this is not the place for you and on the third floor it is important to know that there was three stairs to get down to my room which was not mentioned. It did not affect me but it may be an issue for someone else. Throw in the old funky smell......never again!!

Dorchester (Best Western) in Nanaimo is my "go to" place to stay! I've been staying there for years and the service is always exceptional! All staff make you feel like royalty. It's not just that I've stayed there so many times, the staff treated me wonderfully right from the beginning. Yes, it's an older building, but all rooms and clean and tidy. The restaurant there is the best in Nanaimo! Not only in the Lounge area, but the View restaurant and now the "Speakeasy" establishment downstairs. All are fabulous!!!

Great location. Room a little worn but a decent size, clean and well appointed. Coffee and tea provided in the room but we missed the complimentary breakfast provided at other Best Western properties. Staff was very professional, especially Aden who happily looked after our requests. Would stay again and recommend.

The motel was relatively nice and the staff very helpful. The only downside was getting from the parking lot to the motel and up the numerous stairs to the motel with all of my luggage. Once inside, it was fine. But if you had much luggage it would present some challenges. There was another route, but it was already taken and I was afraid I would lose my parking, which seems quite limited. Other than that, the motel and service as great. The location also was nice, being so close to the water, etc.

This hotel is in a great area right on the water.. That being said parking was a nightmare. This hotel only has about 15 parking stalls. We drove around for 45 min trying to find a stall somewhat close. (We were driving a pickup) Finally found a spot, we were told to take all valuables out of our vehicle due to the homeless population in the area, who were very evident. The water pipes were loud.. Trying to have a relaxing shower in the morning, my husband and I were scalded in the shower. Would not stay again.

Overall our stay was nice, bed was comfortable. I enjoyed that our room had laminated flooring and not all stinky carpet. Only negative thing is the amount of homelessness in the area. Our room had a nice view over looking the harbour from a distance. Parking lot was very small and so were the spaces to park in. We came back from touring around and found there were no parking spots left! So we had to park in a Parkade down the road and had to walk back up to the hotel which for elderly people would be maybe difficult to do as it is a bit of a hill to walk up.That being said the hotel did reimburse our parkade ticket.

Beautiful and classy lobby. Our room was spotless and had a beautiful view of the harbor. The downtown location was perfect and we really enjoyed our walk along the waterfront after dinner. Parking was convenient and just a short walk from the lobby.

Hotel has recently been renovated. Everything was in great shape. The lobby, hallways and room were all very clean. Friendly staff. Very happy with our stay, will definitely return. Wonderful view from the King Harbour View Room (4th floor).

This was a clean, comfortable place with room 230 having a view. There was a mini fridge and Keurig coffee in the room. The shower was decent and AC was great. It was close to the promenade waterfront with plenty of restaurant close by. The gym was nice. The only down side was some morning street noise and a bit from upstairs, but I slept well.

The hotel is newly renovated and located in the heart of the city, just steps away from the sea! ? It's so convenient, you can easily explore all the nearby attractions on foot. ?‍♀️ No need to drive, just enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air! ?

Our experience was exceptional. The staff were helpful and pleasant and the restaurant breakfast we had was delicious. Lots of variety on the menu. We couldn't have asked for a better location. It's right on the waterfront and the promenade goes on and on so we got a very long and scenic walk in. Our room was clean, modern, spacious with a view of the harbour and room for the TWO suitcase stands provided, which , if you travel a lot you know that you seldom get two stands and your second case is usually on the floor or the only chair in the room. Over all, in this price range, it was the best hotel we've stayed in over the last year.

We were alerted via text from one of the staff at this Best Western that parking would be an issue due to Nanaimo Night Market taking place, and they gave us clear instructions on how to arrive due to road closures. We had no idea that the hotel was smack dab right in the heart of town. It was central to everything and we walked all the surrounding neighborhoods. What a lovely time we had, and we didn't even expect it!

The staff are helpful and attentive. The hotel is clean, up to date and in a fabulous location with great amenities close by.

Comfortable bed, comfortable pillows so a very restful sleep! Into good food? Then a visit to the in-hotel restaurant is a definite. Walking distance to wherever it is you want to go. Gorgeous view out over the harbor and the walkable pier. Watch the seaplanes land, take-off. Flying over from Vancouver? Helijet shuttle takes you right here.

This hotel is top notch. The staff are well trained and fully engaged. The plant is nicely appointed and well maintained. The 2 t=restaurants are both very good. the hotel is also situated in an interesting part of Nanaimo.

Lovely ! Had view over the Harbour . Beds so comfy , super clean , big bottles of shampoo and body wash on the wall . Microwave and kitchen down the hall . Outside pario to be used , and so central Located . Staff working front desk were very helpful , there is little restaurant you can order take out from .

Very helpful staff, nice rooms, great amenities made this business trip a pleasure. Will definitely come back!!

My room was extremely basic for a $200+ room. Hotel doesn't even offer bottled water for guests. The bathroom very small and was configured in such a way that made it hard to move around. The room was extra hot and the heater wasn't even on. Had to sleep with both windows open to make the temperature comfortable so had to deal with street noise and a heat pump right outside the window that kept going on and off for the entire night. I had a horrible sleep.

We like break up our road-trip on the Island with an overnight stay at this place. It provides a a great pit stop and rest from a long driving. Nanaimo is sometimes hard to find a reliable spot, but this one works for us. Would recommend if you're not looking for anything fancy,

This Hotel is at a great location. The restaurant is great. Lots of burgers on the menu:) Parking is no issue. Enough coffee shops around the area. Room was good with a small mark that the bathroom was a bit dated.

This hotel was clean, and centrally located in the downtown area by the harbour.. The restaurant (The View) was wonderful and the lounges were great. Staff were personable and flexible. My requests were immediately tended to and overall it was a great stay in Nanaimo.

Stayed in downtown Nanaimo at Christmas while visiting family. Have done this several times before. Staff at the Dorchester are lovely and helpful as always. Comfy room. Perfect location, close to everything, including the beautiful waterfront. We'll be back

Everything from check in to check out was easy and the staff at this location are very friendly. The room was clean and very comfortable and had a gorgeous view. There was no continental breakfast at this location but I recommend trying Top Notch because it was really good food

Wonderful location, close to the harbour. Lots of parking and the Top Notch Burger Restaurant is fantastic.There are so many other restaurants and places of interest to visit close bye. It is a very good location to visit Nanaimo.

The staff were lovely, yet that is the only thing I would say was good about the place. The room we had was nice, but... Construction was happening, parking is difficult or a long distance from the entrance, and although it was non-smoking, they weren't enforcing it. I won't go back to this hotel even though we plan to go back to this area.

We loved this hotel and our bedroom had a view to the front harbour! polite staff, well maintained rooms! to locate our room took a little while because inside the corridors from the elevator to the rooms can be confusing, just have patience... they offer a laundry room and at the third floor is located the beverage and snacks machine!

My wife and I have been coming here for many years for business. There was a long pause during covid though. Coming back the hotel has been nicely updated and the addition of an excellent restaurant. Also, a mostly new team that is very attentive and professional.

We had a room with a view of the Nanaimo Harbour . It was a sunny day when we arrived and the view was absolutely beautiful. When we opened the curtains the following morning there it was again, beauty to begin our day!

Very central location. Our room initially had a noisy AC, but the staff were quick to address the issue even when it is close to midnight. The hotel is older, but really not bad for small historic town like nanaimo. Overall environment felt charming. You will get waken by the seaplane in the morning though, but that's no fault of the hotel, rest early if you can :)

Room AC did not work reliably, had to hold the toilet handle down for the entire flush or it didn't work, couch is badly stained and felt grimy as well there was lots of garbage ie: coffee pods, napkins, behind the desk with the coffee pot. We had a pet room, but I feel we paid an inflated rate for an inferior room for the sake of a pet. I honestly felt ripped off. I've stayed at the Dorchester often and the service was still good and I love the location, but for what I paid and what I received I think the next time I travel with my pet to Nanaimo I'll look at other options, and as a pet owner I know they exist.

We had excellent service from the staff who were quick to help with anything. The room was comfy and clean and quiet. There was a cool umbrella to borrow. Nice bar and decor throughout the hotel. A rooftop picnic table was a nice touch.

Liked · As an overnight stop if catching Duke Point Ferry to mainland BC, the location was convenient....easy 15 min drive to ferry terminal. Staff at front desk and in the bar/pub were all very friendly and helpful. While the building is older and this shows a bit in the hallways, the room itself was very comfortable, clean, I had a nice view of the water (the opposite side would overlook downtown, I believe. Bar/pub menu had a number of interesting and a good amount of seafood. I had the seafood chowder which was satisfying. Disliked · Be aware this hotel is located on edge of "downtown" in Nanaimo. There is room for only 2-3 cars at entrance to load/unload baggage; then car must be moved around the corner to 1of2 small lots. Parking is free in those lots with permit hotel provides, however there is limited space especially during dinner hour when the bar and/or restaurant in the hotel are busy. Believe there is another public (assume pay) lot a block or so further if the small lots are full. (I guess having any free parking nearby is a good thing for a "downtown" location...just be advised). As mentioned, there is a bar with limited menu and a separate restaurant in the hotel...convenient for dinner, however no breakfast available/included with the room like other BW locations.

Have stayed at this hotel for over 20 years, and I must say I see it is going downhill, in that it needs updating, especially for over $200 a nite, and I am a best western member for years, first, never any complimentary upgrades anymore, second, given 3 cans warm water and a thanks for being member, thirdly, room 427, upon arrival, carpet area directly outside door, crumbs, etc, not vacuumed, upon entering room, hit with smell of sour face clothes or something, seemed to be smelly shower curtain, bathroom sink didn't drain, gross, all white baseboards, big paint chips missing, beds hard, and the very old fashioned very loud air conditioning heating unit in a small room was overbearing. There are better Nanaimo choices, however, the two restaurants in the hotel are well worth the $$$, huge harbour view window is nice, however, bird poop and dirty windows....non photo opportunity.

It was truly an enjoyable stay for our family and visiting friends. I will definitely recommend the hotel to my network of clients, church group and other spheres of influence. Glad that we were assigned 3 rooms all close together and pleasantly surprised for my room to be upgraded to a spacious Executive Suite. Hotel's location is also the best as it is walking distance to most things and the scenic walk way by the water. Thank you BW Dorchester Management and Staff for gifting us with a great Nanaimo experience. Keep up the great job! - A. Enduma

I had an issue with parking today at the hotel and the Amazing front desk person Taiga was so incredibly helpful. This young gentleman was so kind and empathetic. More hotel staff could learn a lot from this man. Best Western Dorchester you should be extremely happy to have someone on staff as good as Taiga!

Our stay was good overall. Pros: -Great friendly service -Spacious room -Comfortable bed -All room amenities worked flawlessly -Great location if one's looking at exploring old Nanaimo Cons: -Property has a dated feel -Odor in public areas (elevator and hallways)

Great location in old town Nanaimo within walking distance of great cafes, shops, restaurants, and the waterfront. Parking is extremely limited so be prepared to park across the street at the parkadel.

Thank you for opening my eyes to the ridiculous price that you charge and other innkeepers charge! Camping Air B&BS from now on!! For half the price and better accommodation with more choices and welcome atmosphere

Front desk team is excellent and very helpful. I was told about the membership program and got upgraded to a nicer room. This is the second time I've stayed at the hotel, I travel by myself and I feel very safe staying here and in this area. Great location, I could walk to almost everything.

you will be happier sleeping in your car than in this hotel. The mattress was unbearable in this hotel and I have been in considerable discomfort in the two weeks following my short stay because it was so awful. This hotel provided me with the tiniest room I have ever stayed in for basic queen. The shower in this hotel doesn't drain the water. The curtains didn't close all the way to the middle. This hotel asked $200/night which is unreasonable, considering that Nanaimo isn't a nice destination, it's a run-down town with high poverty and unhoused people left to wander and sleep everywhere (most of the obvious ones are plainly shooting drugs on the sidewalks, even right in front of the hotel, which makes you feel unsafe entering the building some of the time). Therefore, for a room and hotel of this quality, it's basically a cheap motel with a nicer lobby, I'd expect to pay $75/night. They were also painting in the hallways, which means you have dust and tape everywhere.BUt It is good that they are putting in an effort, just don't rent those rooms out.

Upon entering the hotel there was an immediate smell of urine and body odour. The receptionist was friendly and professional, so no complaint there. The corridor to our room was being renovated, so there were flakes of paint all over the carpet and the carpet appeared very worn - that could have been ignored if not for the rest of the experience. Upon entering the room, I was initially happy with the size and appointment of the room. There was bird poo all over the windows, but, considering the location, I was prepared to overlook that. The sofa bed was not made-up for the children, so I pulled it out. Upon doing so, flakes of hard skin fell onto the floor - there was one large bit that looked like hardened foot skin. There were clumps of hair stuck to the blanket. Upon removing the sheets, there were blood stains on the mattress cover. In the bedroom, there was a watery blood stain on the top sheet. In the bathroom there were what looked like blotches of fat on the ceiling above the toilet. There were also hair clumps on the floor. I informed reception of the beds and the bed sheets were changed. The housekeeper who changed the sheets, however, seemed less than impressed that we wanted all of the bed sheets replaced. I suspect that her apparent trouble with breathing and walking made the task too onerous for her - judging by her lack of front teeth and black stumps for the remaining teeth, she wasn't in good health. (I wouldn't ordinarily comment on the appearance of staff, but, in this case, the person's appearance contributed to the overall experience.) After having changed the sheets, there were hair clumps on the new blanket on the sofa bed, but we wanted to get out and explore, so we simply put the blanket in the corner and left. Upon returning to the hotel at around 2100hrs, the bad smell was still present. Having an early start planned for the next day, we all wanted to shower in the evening. There was, however, no hot water - there was, according to the receptionist, a ‘building emergency'. Whatever then happened, there was soon a loud rattling noise throughout the whole corridor for the rest of the night - it sounded like a giant oil-burning water boiler was on, which would have made sense, as the water in the morning was hot. The night was not good. The above-stated noise was added to by loud noises from outside - the windows are clearly not soundproofed. My family also felt uneasy following the disgusting sheets issue. When we left the following morning, the smell in the elevator and lobby was even worse. I will not be returning and I will advising people to avoid this hotel. I'm shocked that this is acceptable to Best Western. Adding the name ‘Dorchester' to the hotel is simply laughable.

The AC came on and off all night long blowing on us and waking us up every time it did. Although the windows opened for fresh air, there were no screens. Plus then you hear the street noise. Parking is very challenging with the small lot around the corner, which makes it not ADA compatible for anyone with handicap needs.

Great location right in the middle of town and all the action. We will make that stop again when we are in that area. Staff were honest and upfront with possible concerns. Great restaurant on site with great burgers and awesome staff!!!!! :)

We loved our stay, the staff is always friendly and helpful. We used the gym, and the resources close by are always nice! It's right in the heart of downtown so close to amazing restaurants and pubs. The

Disappointing hotel. The doors and walls have been painted many, many times, trying to refresh the property, but it still feels dingy and dated. Hot water didn't flow in my sink for 8-9 minutes each morning. The liner in the bathtub was poorly installed, as there was a significant bubble under your feet when you stood in the tub. The rooms are very small - definitely not accommodating for two people. There is a common kitchen on the floors for people who want to do their own meal preparation, and while it's very convenient, the different culinary pursuits waft down the hallways and can be overpowering. A kitchen on the main floor or separate area away from the hotel rooms would be far better. The shower squealed for 2-3 minutes every time it was first turned on. While the view of the harbour is incredible - and the location is great - it just isn't worth it.

I received a parking ticket while using the designated hotel lot...proper tag was visible and displayed. I have received no follow up or resolution. will not stay at this property again or provide recommendation.

We had a family emergency in port Hardy. Coming up from Seattle we felt we wanted to stay in Nanimo for a night and head up island in the morning. Didn't want to drive all night in the dark. Glad we did.

Great view of the harbour. Great service and clean room. Location is in downtown and close to shops and restaurants. I just wish they offer breakfast but overall a good hotel to stay when in Nanaimo BC.

Stayed here for one night while working in town, cool spot, lots of places nearby to visit/eat/drink. Our room was on the 4th floor overlooking the harbour, which was very nice. It's an older rambling building that has a lot of character, but warm quiet and comfortable. There was coffee provided the morning, but no breakfast provided like some other best westerns. Staff was friendly and helpful. Would stay again and explore more of downtown

Staff was very helpful and nice. I forgot how run down downtown nanaimo has become, i was nervous parking my vehicle in the ungated, above ground offsite parking they supply. The view out the window was literally a stucco wall 2 feet away. Altho i assume by the smell if there was a view it would have been of a pulp mill.

There are far better choices for places to stay in Nanaimo, at roughly the same price; cleaner, more comfortable, better cancellation policies, and far more attentive. Make a better choice. You'll be happier that you did

Lobby looked decent but no one there to check us in for the first 5 minutes. Was told to park on the street as their parking lots were full. Wasn't comfortable leaving the car on the street and the baby was wide awake by the time check in happened so continued our journey without staying. Paid in full and wasn't offered any break on the fee despite their hotel being very low occupancy (according to the front desk). Have had much better experience with IHG owned hotels if customer service is important for your stay.

This is my hotel of choice when I travel to Nanaimo. Great location and very courteous and helpful staff. The room that I had was spacious and very clean. There is also an outdoor terrace on the 3rd floor and an excellent restaurant just off of the lobby.

Small and dated room. If you have luggage there isn't enough room to walk around the bed and get to the bathroom. My room was located at the end of a narrow hallway that had stairs within the hall. This made it a challenge to bring luggage to the room. Bed was good. Front desk confusion about what amenities would be available over holidays. Good location on the harbour. As seen in other reviews, holding BW status does not result in upgrades even in a 50% capacity hotel.

The room was so hot and the air conditioning was not functioning. There was a terrible smell in the room, the internet barely worked to check emails. The checkin process took forever. Overall passing on this chain going forward pay the extra to stay at a Marriott or Hilton

It had been been a while since I've stayed at this property and as my title states I was pleasantly surprised with the rooms as they have been renovated(much needed) and they did a great job. Clean,nice decor and comfortable. Restaurant for breakfast was fab. Good solid choice of a hotel for location,service etc. Free parking is nice

This is just at the heart of downtown!! It's a great location, and their staff it's super friendly and professional!! Loved this stay and will be coming back in the future to stay because it was just a very pleasant stay!! Highly recommend to anyone needing to stay in the area with easy access to everything!! Also, the best crepes are just in the corner!! Just a delightful stay overall!!

We stayed here on two separate occasions on the way to and from Tofino. Unfortunately on both occasions the rooms were really dirty. Dirt and dust everywhere in the corners and up against the edges of furniture clearly a sign of rushed vacuuming. As many others have noted, mold and mildew everywhere in the bathrooms and skirting boards. On the second time round there were plenty of short hairs (leg hairs) in the bed. The restaurant (The View) was the highlight of the stay. Very good food for a decent price. The staff were all very friendly but unfortunately this is not enough. I would much rather have a clean room and rude staff than the other way round. Nonetheless I would not stay again.

I have never written a negative review, in fact they have always been positive but I caution anyone thinking of staying there. To begin with there are limited free parking spaces. I began my stay by driving around for 40 minutes in downtown Nanaimo trying to find parking after ultimately settling for nearby pay parking. Getting safely up to the hotel as a single female in the dark was another adventure. My hotel room was filthy. Not only was it in disrepair but there was hair and filth everywhere. There was hair on the ceiling, in the bathtub, in the bathroom drawers, and in the bed. The surfaces had not been wiped down and the floor was dirty. The toilet didn't flush properly and the filthy shampoo/conditioner dispensers were empty. The beds were uncomfortable and the hotel was noisy. Vacuuming of the hallway began at 6:30am. The worst part was when I opened the curtains in the morning to be greeted with so much condensation as to not see out, accompanied by copious amounts of mould in the window sills, under the frame, and down the wall. I travel a lot and stay in multiple hotels and would never, ever stay at this hotel again. The pictures will speak for themselves. Be sure to check out the ones with mould. Ugh.

Stay at the Coast Bastion instead. The hotel was filthy....rooms not cleaned well at all. Wiped the floor with a white face cloth as I spilled water, my footprint was imprinted on the side that was on the floor because the floor was so filthy (laminate floors that have not been washed.) Got picures to prove it. Black hair in 1 bed. Beds were uncomfortable doubles.

I was at the BW for one night only. The room was ok with a nice view. The problem was the cleaning. i found pieceS of popcorn at the edges of the bed, in the floor, also in the corners. Very unpleasant.

Where to begin. We checked in and automatically regretted it. After travelling all day it was late and we thought it can't be that bad. Well it got worse. The smell was rancid it was like they used no cleaning solutions in the water to clean the hotel. The room was NOTHING. Like the photos. It was so small and the window looked out to a brick wall less then 4 feet from the window. The bed was hard squeaky and so uncomfortable. The bathroom was also still dirty. We did not get any sleep the housekeepers kept banging into our door. We considered this hotel a nightmare compared to the 8 other places we stayed in. Motels around town looked better for the price. Biggest disappointment. We've also not been reached out by any management

went to Nanaimo to pickup a motorcycle unfortunately on the way back we heard from BC ferries that they would be canceling the final sailing for the evening, this meant that we have to find a hotel. This location was absolutely prefect its basically just a 10min drive form the Ferry docks which made this absolutely perfect. best hotel on the entire island but maybe I'm being bias since i always stay with BW lol ,. not the less this was a perfect place to Escape the storm!

This is the best location in Nanaimo with restaurants, stores, take-out and amenities close by. Across the street is the historic Bastion and a scenic walk along the waterfront. Quiet rooms and friendly staff.

Lovely hotel, clean, good room - loved the set up of the room, and well situated for a so I could walk to the conference everyday. There was parking included that helped. Best of all was the restaurant- really lovely staff and nice food - the actual hotel itself is also lovely

I'm a Best Western fan! I enjoy the benefits of great rooms, service, locations, and points that do not expire. We loved the view from our room. Windows opened. Heat/cool was great. Pillows, bedding, service was excellent.

I cannot understate how much I love this place, the area is a little noisy but the view every morning watching the floatplanes take off and boats depart make it more than worth it. The staff are some of the most kind people I've met, and being someone who works at a hotel front desk aswell I understand how hard it can be to keep up the attitude, but these guys do a phenomenal job at it even when their equipment and providers don't seem to cooperate with them. I would absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a nice getaway from the busy life to focus back on some of the smaller things in life.

Our room was infested with ants, bathroom, on the bed and under the fridge. My white socks were filthy walking on the floor. Very disappointed as a good location to walk to everything. We did get a 25% discount, but thought that was not good enough. Will never go back!

Room was dirty, bed sheets and pillow cases had stains all over, walls marked up and not cleaned for a long time. Bathroom was very gross, tub not cleaned. Overpriced compared to other places especially with the new hotel built nearby. Chose this place due to location, will choose to stay elsewhere

These employees really care about taking care of each guest. This downtown Nanaimo location is highly walkable, has a nice convenient restaurant and lounge and is quite comfortable. You can walk right down to the harbor and to a few nice parks.

Parking hard to find Other than that stay was good Used bell hop cart to bring luggage to room to find out that about 4 stairs where there. With a bit of a McGiver technique was able to get the cart down the stairs without losing any luggage !

I don't know how anyone can give this place anything above a 1 star rating. The only real positive is the location, which is convenient to downtown and the waterfront. Front desk/cleaning staff all look somewhat disheveled, most not wearing a uniform. Unfriendly greeting. The hotel has a musty smell to it. The security is non-existent; the doors to the hotel are usually left wide open, and front desk staff are often not around to monitor who is coming and going. This should be addressed immediately, as the homeless people are always nearby. There is only 1 small elevator, which makes social distancing virtually impossible. The hotel is very dated and needs a reno (badly). The rooms are very old and cramped...you can barely walk around the bed. The bed is waaay too soft. The room smelled of stale smoke/mold/urine, so much so that we bought febreeze to use. The bathtub grout had some mold. The tub stopper wouldn't stay open, so we had to prop it up so we wouldn't be standing in dirty water. Parking is in issue, although free when you can find it, especially on Thursdays, as that's when the downtown market is on. Soiled linens left in baskets in the hallway during the day. I could go on and on...embarrassing for Best Western to have this hotel under their banner.

Great location and view. Slow check-in. Our room is decent, windows could use a washing and our fire alarm could use a battery. Low battery beep was fixed by removing it. Room is clean. There is a smell in stairwells and hallways that suggests carpets aren't a win here in the humidity. Restaurant downstairs is excellent.

I frequently stay at the Dorchester hotel and find the staff accommodating and friendly. The rooms are clean and cool and have all the amenities. Additionally, there is an inviting lobby with access to computers and stores. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown and is within walking distance to experience unique boteques, clothing, and gift sotres. The rooms have complimentary coffee and tea. There is a fantastic rooftop patio, and if you are fortunate to get a seaside view of the harbour, there are amazing views. Additionally, the hotel hosts two of the best restaurants in Nanaimo.

The staff were very friendly and attentive. Our air conditioned room was clean fresh and fully updated. We were very comfortable. The location was walking distance to the colorful waterfront and many other cafes and shops. We look forward to staying here again on our next trip to Nanaimo.

This hotel is centrally located, and clean. There is a lovely view of the harbour (Meakin Channel) and we only had to walk across the street to enjoy the Harbourfront Walkway. The staff were attentive and did not rush us when we had questions or when room changes were required. There was no local tourism pamphlet or booklet in the room however, the desk staff were helpful in making suggestions.

Extremely convenient location, right across from the beautiful marina harbor walkway & all the tourist action. Also walkable distance to other restaurants, market and drugstore. Hotel is modern & clean, beautiful views. The View restaurant in hotel has delicious seafood options and prices were very reasonable, no need to look for dinner elsewhere. Coffee also available in lobby. There is also a laundry room with microwave so very convenient if for longer stay. Would definitely recommend this BW hotel in Nanaimo .

We stayed for 2 nights here with my family and my sisters family. 5 adults and kids and youth. The staff was friendly but there were some issues. The building overall seemed old dated and needed renovation. the furniture and equipment in the rooms was of lesser quality. We were not told about the fact the breakfast is not included in the room rent. I paid around $130 for a simple order of eggs and hash browns for two days. Parking was also not available on-site. You have to drive to back side of the building. But the parking area is too small. Most of the time it is full and you have to park across the road.

Service was not friendly at all. Room had a horrible smell and our bed had dust/dirt. Room was so small too. We asked if a different room was available and staff couldn't be bothered. Although it's all compliments for their restaurant, I would never stay there again. Please stay at the Coastal INN across.

Easy access to waterfront and downtown. Friendly staff, very helpful and accommodating. Room was very clean. Lovely rooftop patio. I would definitely stay there again! Didn't get a chance to try the restaurant, but looked very nice .

This is a thank you to the front desk staff of the Dorchester. You have been friendly and very helpful. Thank you for cancelling my room without charge when I was stuck in Vancouver on a much delayed flight, and for cancelling my taxi that was supposed to pick me up from the airport. You guys are great!

First the positives. The hotel is well located being in the centre of downtown and only steps away from the waterfront. The rooms are clean and comfortable, although bathrooms are on the small side. External sound insulation is good: there was very little noise from outside. Then the negatives. The price is exorbitant. I have paid less to stay in much nicer hotels in some of the most expensive cities in the world. If the price were halved, it would count as a decent hotel. A major problem is the poor quality of internal sound insulation. We were kept awake by the constant noise of showers running, baths emptying, toilets flushing and alarms going off in neighbouring rooms. It looks like an old building that has been renovated. There is one, tiny elevator. The hallways and reception area are claustrophobic and somewhat depressing due to colours. Some input from an interior designer is needed to cheer this place up. There are small flights of steps between the elevator and the rooms. Next time in Nanaimo I will sacrifice my BW points to try to find somewhere with a better quality/price ratio.

This hotel was ok.. A bit disappointed for a Best Western. Very close to the marina. Walking distance, for sure felt like downtown of other cities. We were a bit worried about the parking lot and whether the rental vehicle would be ok.. Parking is free, but no breakfast, not sure what the restaurant charged, as when we checked out at 9:30.. nobody was in there. It seemed to be hopping the night before. The rooms felt, clean, but for sure an older feeling hotel. Internet, was intermittent .. Bed was comfy. Room had a coffee machine. I probably would not stay at this location again. The front desk staff were very helpful and friendly. We were just traveling through for one night and it was $60 cheaper than the other Best Western in Nanaimo..even as rewards member.

You get what you pay for and more. Very nice room with a sea view. Nice beds and a nice bedroom. The hotel had a good location in town. Close to restaurants and harbours. Didn't try the restaurant for breakfast though. It was clean and fresh. Offers parking as well.

Staff very helpful and professional .Location was perfect as it was adjacent to Newcastle Island where we met family and friends. A beautiful setting. Parking was included which was helpful. Breakfast wasn't included but there was a restaurant on site.

I was very disappointed to book a stay here as it was very noisy to be able to sleep at night. I could hear people talking and closing the door all night long. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone who needs a good night sleep.

Checkin: poor. Email was sent as to when we would like to check in. Chose 12-2pm, planning to arrive at 1 pm. When we arrived we were told our room was not ready and they would keep our belongings behind the desk. As I was preparing to put them on a trolley I was told not to as someone else may need it. 30 minute wait became 1 hr wait, every time I came back they said “ not ready yet”. We were at the bar within the building and saw a lot of people checking in. Now it is 2:30pm. I am told still that room is not ready. Meanwhile all these people who just arrived are checking in for a conference and have their room ready. I ask if we took 2 double beds instead of a king if we could get our room faster. I was told no. Finally at 3 pm we were told our room was ready. Obviously housekeeping were not told to prioritize our room but rather the rooms of the conference people. I told the staff that they should not ask when clients want to arrive in their email if it means totally nothing. We just didn't feel the love. Room: very clean. Large tv but it faces away from the bed. Very odd room. The wall where the bed leans on is not square but rather angled. So the bed faces the window at an angle. Which faces rooms of another hotel. The tv is on the opposite side of the windows. The only way to watch the tv without getting a kink in the neck is to sit in a stained fabric ottoman and chair. No thank you. The mini fridge is of a good size. There is a safe in the closet for your belongings. There are two luggage racks to put your suitcases on which we appreciated. Coffee: there is a keurig coffee machine in the room. Tips: Microwave on 3rd floor just off the elevator. Very clean. Same room as washer & dryer. The washer and dryer are full size and seem new! Also they have a big jug of water there to refill your water bottle. Friendly housekeeping staff. Got extra coffee pods for our second day. They would have provided anything we would have needed.

The hotel is pretty dated but in a good location for people who want to travel to nanaimo. The bethroom fans in initial room is not working. So we contact the concierge, he is very friendly and assist us to change to new room. Unfortunately that the air conditioner is not working properly for the second room either. So we end up to change room twice. Other than the room problem, everything else is awesome. Customer service attend to out need right away and assist us with room change and offer discount when we check out. Overall we are still pretty satisfy.

I chose this location for the view and that was really the best part. The room itself did overlook the harbor but we were on the main floor so the view of the harbor was obstructed by trees. The room itself was a very odd layout with a small hallway in the center and then the bedroom and bathroom on one side and a sofa bed with the coffee machine and fridge on the other side but no door in between. Both rooms viewed the harbor. It would have been ok for a couple with young kids but the sofa bed was hard as a rock so you couldn't really use it like a couch to watch tv. We spent all of our time sitting on the bed. The bed was a comfortable sleep. We had to sign for a non-smoking room but the hallway smelled like marijuana. We also were not told until after we checked in that there would be no cleaning service for our four day stay because they are short staffed. We were late arriving by one day due to a flight delay which they didn't charge us for so that was good. The location in downtown was close to a lot of restaurants to walk to and the harbor but there are a serious number of homeless people in the area and we watched drug deals and questionable behavior out our window with no police presence. If you need to be in downtown, it is a decent hotel, but next time in Nanaimo, we'll choose a different location.

Will not be back. Hotel laundry room and (only microwave) on 3rd floor occupied by a young woman in stages of undress doing her make up and drugs for the night. Needles laying on the dryer and a Naloxone kit nearby. She was very fidgety and acting distressed. Obviously not a guest of the hotel but someone that slipped thought the front door (Easy to do because the two young clerks were behind a wall so no one was watching the desk). Did not feel safe. Room was nice, hotel a great location. But if you can't keep the addicts from coming in then I can't stay here with my family. Spoke to a hockey team that was staying here the same night and they said it happens more often.

Very positive experience here. Staff were absolutely fantastic, bed was comfortable, and location was perfect. I got a smaller room, but it was perfect for a solo traveler, and had a decent sized bathroom as well. Side note, the burger place attached is freaking amazing. Would stay here again for sure.

The room rate was higher than I expected. Even with the “Best Rate” I received as a BW card member. There is no shuttle to the airport so count on spending another $42 or so on a cab. I did not look into the shuttle company suggested as it was an online booking system, so seemed like a hassle. The cab was waiting for me as ordered for 4am. No time for breakfast, so missed out on that feature- no compensation for that. It is located downtown near the marina so a lovely place to see during the day. Staff was very helpful. The room was tiny, but cute and clean. Don't leave your “Privacy Please” on your door if you need anything from housekeeping. I ran out of shampoo etc. because I had mine on the door.

Was disappointed when I went to pay with debit the next day upon check out.. they have switched all the machines to only accept credit card payments. I'm wondering if they will be changing this in near future?

Everything was perfect! We loved how they left little pet food bowls treats, and blankets out for our pets. That was so sweet and thoughtful, very nice touch. No one disturbed us during our stay and the staff were so polite and friendly the entire time. They were very considerate regarding check in and check out times as well. We will definitely be staying again!

The smell of urine and cigarettes in our room was nauseating. We were informed that there was only 1 cleaning staff working that day for the entire hotel (?) Unacceptable and not what you would expect from Best Western. Though we were offered a discount no improvements have since been made. All that I can compare it to is having the unfortunate experience of ending up at a seedy motel room on a road trip and not wanting to sleep under the bedsheets in fear of catching something. Not sure how this hotel is still operating and almost certain that the majority of reviews are from payed staff members. It would be equivalent to staying at a cheap travellers hostel yet having to pay a premium price. In the elevator there is a warning to guests not to engage in verbal altercations with the staff just to give you an idea of that you may potentially be getting yourself into. The smell of urine and cigarettes is something you will never forget. You have been warned.

rooms were newly renovated, bathrooms were not just yet but were still in amazing condition. Staff was helpful. Great location. Limited parking availability. I made use of their venue room which exceeded expectations. Charlie was a great help!

Honestly I was extremely dissatisfied with this visit and do not see us staying at this hotel again. Our original room was full of ANTS. It ended up in our luggage, and even in our dogs food that had to be thrown away. When we called down to the front desk we were told we might not be able to be moved. Then we were offered to be moved to a room that was not as nice, or we could stay in the room with the ants and be given bug spray and a $50 discount. This was not a satisfactory solution to us. We moved to the not as nice room and were not offered any discount of any kind or any follow up to make sure we were okay in our new room. Not only that but the staff seem to do nothing to regulate any noise, children were running up and down the stairs and hallways stomping during all hours of the day with no repercussions, there was vacuuming in the hallways at 11PM. It was a very disappointing and restless stay.

The hotel is nice, food is good in the restaurant but someone opened the door of my room without knocking at 9:30am i was in bed, without adequate clothing, on top of blankets and i just do not know how this is a thing. Who does this? You knock and wait for someone to open a door or you leave! My mind is blown

stayed 4 nights - while visiting family in area. Front Desk staff friendly & welcoming. Very Nice to have both Resturant & Bar at property. Convenient to all downtown shops. Check out nearby Lighthouse Pub, Firehouse grill (shout out to Mike) & Naniamo Bar- open mic night (shout out to Sonya). Felt very safe as a single senior female traveler. Nice harbor park across the way with food trucks and music on the weekend. Room's Harbor View beautiful! Comfy Bed! free washer and dryer on 3rd floor.2- Resturant & Bar located in BW -great burger & drinks. Staff very welcoming and friendly!

If you want a place to stay to get some rest do not stay here! I have traveled the world and this was one of the noisiest hotels I have ever stayed at. The walls are very thin and street noise is busy and loud along with drunks outside shouting. Besides not getting any rest each time we went to front desk for check in and check out no one was there. Beds are comfortable and room was clean.

Centrally located, this was 6 mins from the ferry terminal. Handy for my 6:15am departure. Staff very friendly, and efficient. Comfy king bed, lots of hot water, lovely harbour view, and very quiet. Good value.

Good location. Decent rooms. The parking stalls are very narrow but we were able to get in and out of the car from one side or the other. It was one of the lower priced hotels available. Did not hear other people and it all worked out okay. The place was much cleaner than the last hotel we stayed in.

Right in the middle of the action in Nanaimo. Great stay, would easily book in again. I didn't make use of the restaurant during my stay, but it looked very nice. Easy check in and check out experience.

The hotel in right in old downtown nainamo. It came with free parking so I was able to do a walk in old downtown. The rooms were renovated but I think the building sled is really old. My room had fridge and unit AC instead of central. It was really loud and at night you can see hallway light through the door frame. The door seems to be smaller and it was so bright. Since I was just staying for one night passing through I didn't expect too much. The location was convenient to all the major highways and the front door allowed 15 min parking to drop off luggage, check in and quick restroom breaks. It was raining a lot when I was there so was able to meet my needs when passing by. It was a closed location to do the waterfront walk d connected all the way to the park. Overall the hotel is really old, room furniture were contemporary but feels like it need refreshed. The room was relative small for queen size bed.

Old Hotel, very small rooms, with poor renovations. Poor parking, received a nice door ding on my truck. Very loud in your room. You hear every tap, foot step, tv, in every room above, below and beside you... be warned.. or maybe it's the ghosts

We needed a place to stay for one night for a youth sporting tournament. This hotel met all our needs for our price point. The staff was friendly and efficient , rooms were good and it was centrally located with a nice view.

We were on the island for the day, stayed at the Best Western. We found the hotel to be clean and the rooms were stellar. It has been updated and done very well. We would not hesitate to stay here again or tell others to use it. The restaurant was clean and it is a menu that specializes in burgers of all types.

The room was the size of postage stamp when I got off the elevator with a full baggage cart loaded for a weeks stay I got five feet and the there was five stairs you had to walk down to my hallway so I had to pack all my stuff down to the room there was no table to sit around could not have anyone else in room as it was so small ,the bathroom was dated wallpaper curling off the walls the parking is non existent I had to park on the street four nights this is not up to standard for a Bestwestern would not recommend this hotel

No complaints at all about the hotel at all. Dropped one bubble because of parking. On arriving at the front of the hotel (which is quite hidden) we noticed the 15 minute check in space but drove round to the back knowing there must be more parking round the back. There weren't many spaces but we parked in a very narrow space. As we walked towards the hotel we saw that there were 3 sets of steps up to the entrance - not easy with suitcases! We walked around to the front and checked in. By the time my husband went out to put the free parking pass on the car we had already been ticketed. This is a PUBLIC car park. The guests following us were also ticketed within minutes. The hotel does reimburse guests who get caught out like this as well as when there is no parking and guests have to use parking across the street. This can't be very cost effective for the hotel ! Otherwise, the hotel was spotless and the staff pleasant.

I picked the hotel based on proximity to my destination for a conference but found that it was walking distance from everything I needed. The space was clean and housekeeping was witnessed to be following appropriate protocols for keeping it sanitized. The check in area could have been larger and the View restaurant better marked but had a great experience and the burger restaurant downstairs makes incredible burgers!

Very conveniently located right in the inner harbor with great views and free parking. Helpful staff, walking distance to several restaurants and things to do. Great for a weekend get away. Would stay there again.

Fast friendly service, front desk very helpful, as were from out of city. Little down as the breakfast was not available, but we understand why. Price higher then expected from last time we stayed last year.

Breakfast bags were no longer available which was disappointing. Appreciated the free coffee in the lobby. Wifi was fine. Open stairwells to avoid the elevators during the pandemic. Location is amazing - right in the middle of downtown. Parking was mildly annoying, but understandable for an urban area and very well handled by the hotel. The lot can fill up, but the hotel offers alternatives in the area to ensure that you get your free parking, it just may take a bit of time. Room was a bit smaller than some others but still a regular sized, and up to date given the historic nature of the property. Would stay here again if in the area.

First, the good. Location and harbour view. Coffee available at the front desk in the morning. Ways to improve - breakfast is a bottle of water and a Nurtigrain bar, This is not breakfast. Adding a piece of fruit and offering a yogurt would help. In times of COVID easy and a more complete meal. -If you are going to advertise a workout area, ensure the treadmill and other equipment is working and clean. Not our experience. - front desk check in was a disaster. We were lined up 5-6 people deep at 3 p.m. when there was also a shift change! At one point, both front desk clerks were off checking that rooms were ready leaving those waiting to explain to others who joined the line what was happening. - at times front desk staff were not out front. When I was there to seek help, they were merely chatting behind the front desk wall about social life and current events. I had to speak so loudly I was heard all over the lobby saying "Excuse me please". Two young men were most at fault with this. -air conditioner so noisy interrupted our sleep. When opened window, street noise. -bed very very soft -parking limited -Their own COVID rules not being observed. Posted one family/group in elevator and housekeeping merrily joined my husband and I with a cart in a very small elevator.

Staff were good and hotel was good. Bathroom cleanliness needs to improve. Also my sink was pretty clogged. Nice location close to the harbour. Small parking lot so I had to park on street. Luckily it was the weekend so I did not have to pay for parking.

You will regret choosing this hotel. Hotel Management offers empty apologies yet avoids dealing with issues of mold and urine smell dating back years. I had the unfortunate experience of not reading the reviews prior to booking. Big mistake. Please save your money and your sanity and stay somewhere else.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Dorchester. It is centrally located and within walking distance to many attractions and restaurants. The hotel was a little old, but very well maintained. Our room looked out onto the harbour and it was so comfortable and clean. We were also very impressed with the Covid protocol. I would like to really call out our maid. She was wonderful! We opted for not having any room service but she checked in to find out if we needed anything. I was also very impressed by the use of soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion dispensed in a large container, very reminiscent of how they do it on the cruise ships. Really better for the environment. Well done! We will look forward to staying at the Dorchester again soon!

We arrived early and needed to park our vehicle, the hotel did provide us this option and also allowed our luggage to be stored until we could check in later. Rooms were clean, towels a bit older and not as thick as expected. We enjoyed our stay and will definitely return

This is a beautiful old hotel that is well maintained. Our room was tastefully decorated, clean, comfortable with a stunning view of the harbour. They even brought a blanket, dish and water for our dogs. The only negative aspect of our stay was check-in. We had a confirmed reservation and got there at 2:00pm and were told to come back at 3:00pm which we did only to be told our room was still not ready. We had to wait in the lobby for 45 minutes before we could get into the room. There were several other parties trying to check-in who were also told to wait. I'm assuming there was a staffing shortage in housekeeping.

We stayed 3 nights at this hotel near the harbour front. It's close to restaurants and shops. Free parking and great hotel staff make this a great choice for the area. We enjoyed an ocean view from our third floor king room. The room was updated except for the bathroom. The bed was extremely comfortable. Exceptional cleaning by housekeeping staff following covid protocols. There is some street noise. We tried the lounge area of the restaurant and the food was very good but slow service.

Was a very pleasant experience. Clean, quiet and well managed. And though it is an older building (the wing I stayed in) everything was updated, even the A/C. And you can turn the A/C fan to turbo or low. Small thing but made a difference. More importantly the staff were so helpful and kind.

Loved our visit at the Best western Dorchester. Great location . Excellent and friendly check in from Kyle and Charlie . Housekeeping were prompt and thoughtful. Restaurants were amazing and friendly and reasonably priced for excellent meals

It was such a relief to get to this hotel after 5 hours drive. I booked this hotel in emergency at last minute after horrible experience and night at other resort. Front desk, Family suite was such a great experience. Excellent suite, very clean and maintained. 2 double beds with extra sofa bed, 2 TVs, coffe maker fridge and much needed 2 split units air conditioning in 38C temperature. My family was delighted to be at this place. Super comfortable. Shared laundry and microwave for guests. We had alot of laundry to do. Thanks for hospitality Dorchester BW and Nanaimo.

The BW Dorchester staff were welcoming and friendly, the hotel spotless, the room clean, cozy and warm. I would recommend this hotel over all others available in the city of Nanaimo. The location of the hotel is in the centre of a small city with lots of shops and a beautiful park close by.

The new floors allowed noise from the room above, but I still prefer clean wooden floors to carpet any day! One light didn't work, and we reported that. Front desk clerk was very helpful. The restaurant was surprisingly good!

Ferry's were cancelled- Overall the hotel staff was very helpful and accommodating, food from the restaurant was good, pet friendly, fair price. Room looked beautiful. Got up to get water before bed and noticed a little bug scuttle across the sheet. It was full of blood and I dumped out my water to trap it in the cup. Found a second, bigger engorged one in the blanket, and another little one by a pillow. Brought it to the front desk and the attendant apologized profusely, refunded the charge for the room. Gave us water and snacks on the way out. I feel concerned because he said it didn't look like a bed bug... it's was definitely one but in a nymph stage or 4th/5th stage. Anyway sleeping in my car tonight.

It was a nightmare we thought we booked a revamped old hotel!!!! Well we arrived and it smelled of mold and stale urine! They wanted 2 move us but smaller and smelled as bad! They other rooms were out of order!!! No window screens lawsuit waiting 2 happen. Lipstick on a pig that's what u get.

We had a lovely stay at this historic hotel. It's central location was perfect for touring the downtown area. Very clean with covid protocols in place. We were lucky enough to meet Kyle when we checked in. He was so friendly and accommodating. He went over and above expectations and really helped make our stay wonderful!

It's an old building with lots of history. Located downtown on the waterfront with lots of small restaurants and shops and places to walk and see the sites. The staff are friendly and helpful. Quality of food and service in the restaurant and lounge is top notch. Rooms are clean and nicely decorated.

Great service at the front desk very pleasant and helpful, nice room was perfect for us and our two dogs as well as food from the restaurant was really good. Was in great location went for walk along Harbour was beautiful.

For being so slow at the moment I was pretty disappointed with the service provided. The staff didn't seem to care too much about the place, other than one friendly lady at the desk. I was told by multiple staff members that I could pay for my second (unexpected) night in cash. Previously mentioned on the phone when the reservation was made too. When I went to check out the man would not let me pay with cash. There was no signage anywhere saying otherwise. If you are able to be safely open, you can accept cash. Giving away a lot of your business. I certainly won't ever be back. If it wasn't right before Christmas I would have contacted the manager of the place. Didn't seem to care about the inconvenience though. Also eggs left in the fridge when I checked in lol

We were blown away by the service and attention received from the Check-in clerk, Server and Chef of The View. Their ability to share in the celebration and excitement of our wedding night, made the evening unforgettable. Oh and the food was to die for!! Can not wait to return!

This hotel is a super convenient location, which is why I selected it. Walking distance to grocery, restos and Harbour Air. My room had huge windows that overlooked the Marina and the view was beautiful. I was so impressed by the new and modern reno but was most impressed by the friendly and helpful staff. Staff was professional, super safety conscious and still managed to be warm and welcoming which was so appreciated. My stay was shorter than originally planned and I was a bit sorry to not be staying longer. I was traveling with my kitty cat which was no problem and the room even had a cute little food and water dish in the room for pets - a nice touch. Many hotels are dog friendly but do not allow cats; the Dorchester was pleased to have us both :) I did not have opportunity to dine at the hotel but it is well reviewed and was always “full” (as full as COVID protocols permit) so obviously popular even in the current climate. Highly recommend the Nanaimo Dorchester for business or leisure stays!

This hotel is situated right in the downtown Nanaimo area within walking distance to the harbour, restaurants and harbour airport. So much to do around this area with amazing views from the room as well. The staff were so nice, and the rooms were so clean. I cannot wait to return here.

This hotel has a very good location, being a very short walk away from the harbour front and from downtown shops. Harbour front rooms have a good view over the harbour. The rooms appear rather old but are clean and well kept. There is free parking behind the hotel. We visited during the time of Covid and felt reasonably safe, although there seemed quite a lot of people in the restaurant, and the precautions taken were not always obvious (e.g. signs on the limits on the number of people in elevators were not obvious). The hotel is fine for a short visit but nothing exceptional. Front desk service was fine and the person at the reception did go out of their way to find us a kettle.

Came for a short stay, waiting for my plane leaving next day. Nice rooms, good breakfast, free parking. Coffee and tea in the room. In this Corona times they have flexible solutions. And the best of all, the price was reasonable.

We were pleasantly surprised with this hotel - very conscientious of Covid-19 restrictions, and the rooms and common areas were kept extremely clean. Very very convenient location on the waterfront - perfect for catching a Harbour Air flight. Great views of the harbour straight from our window! We had a very comfortable night in an updated room - while the washroom was a little tight (perhaps because the door would hit the curved shower curtain rod), the attention to detail was nevertheless apparent and appreciated.

I stayed here recently and it was lovely. We had a room facing the ocean and the hotel was close to a number of wonderful restaurants and activities. The halls in the hotel as well as the elevator are quite tiny, but it adds to how quaint and beautiful it is. I would definitely stay here again.

I spent last night at this hotel. When we arrived, the desk person was masked, behind plexiglass, and there was sanitizer available for use. So far, so good. We went down to the restaurant/bar for dessert, and were dismayed and amazed to see: no masks on serving staff, even though they were looming over us at the table. A drunk woman at the next table lurched over to a table of men she apparently did not know, sat down with them and they all had a lively conversation, within 1 1/2' of each other. The wait staff did nothing. Then a server entered the room and came very close to a customer at the bar, and had a lively conversation, again, very close to one another. None of the bartenders or wait staff wore masks, or observed social distancing. When I approached who I perceived to be the manager on the floor, all he said was, they couldn't do anything to enforce covid rules! I think this is very lax, and disappointing.

Our first time staying in Nanaimo and we were torn between staying here and the Coast Hotel next door. It came down to price. Dorchester was far more reasonable and provided free parking and is a great hotel! We had a harbour view with a great view of the port (Room 430). Room was spacious, and very clean (which was important to us since this was our first time travelling during COVID ). The room even smelled clean! Front desk very helpful noting they would bring extra towels or whatever we needed since daily housekeeping was no longer occurring. Only issue we had was that the Kcup machine was not working but we were only there two nights and a minor issue. Hotel is in walking distance to shops and restaurants. We loved our stay and wished we were there longer! We'll be back!

Best Western Dorchester hotel Nanaimo The hotel is nice, however the service is horrible. When we came, the AC wasn't working. We phoned the front desk, than we came down there to check for an update. They made us to wait in the line to say that they are busy to check on it, but they will do it later. We came back almost 4 hours later, nothing was done. We insisted to fix it, the tech was sent finally to check on the unit. He said he is very sorry that the AC is not working. The kids could not go to sleep, because of the tech going back and forth. All for nothing.

Spent 2 nights here at the end of our Van Isle Vacay. Typical new BW rooms very comfortable and clean and good implementation of Covid protocols . We felt very safe here and heartily recommend this hotel. Good breakfast with extremely friendly waitress Searra .Bar again has fantastic wait staff and even some good craft beers. We enjoyed the Mount Arrowsmith IPA.

Stayed at the Dorchester in Nanaimo, BC. A beautiful Hotel at the harbour. A very bright and clean elegantly modern hotel beautifully appointed. The king room overlooking the harbour was modern clean and decorated in silver grey and white a refreshing difference from the usually darker decor you find in hotels. It was a joy to stay there. The food at Top Notch in the Hotel was excellent and is a popular restaurant.

Only 2/6 lights worked in the entire room. None of the outlets worked which meant no coffee or fridge or charging your phone. TONS of hair on the floor. And the parking is in a high theft area and very small and there's a bunch of stairs you have to lift your luggage up and only 1 elevator.

Last minute, I needed a hotel stay for a couple of nights in Nanaimo. I had already enjoyed the restaurant on 2 different occasions during my 7 week stay with family, and hoped the accommodations were as good and they were. I had 2 comfortable sleeps in my air conditioned room (amid lots of personal stress), and 2 scrumptious breakfasts and dinners. The recommendations made by staff were spot on. The location is central to all you need to see and do in downtown Nanaimo.

Room was clean and had a modern look and feel. The location is right in the heart of downtown and close to the docks. The check in and check out process was smooth and efficient as expected. Also, I couldn't find the TV remote but the staff rectified it super quick providing a new remote.

We had asked the front desk for a corkscrew to open a bottle of wine to celebrate our anniversary (which when I mentioned was greeted with a free room upgrade) and unfortunately they didn't have one. But when we returned from dinner at walked through the lobby, Charlie at the front desk recognized me and said he had sent someone out to go get one for us. It was so thoughtful and we were touched!

No free breakfast provided even the online showed it is come with free breakfast . The staff finally offered the breakfast coupon but the attitude look like we are begging for it , no any apology for their mistake. Their attitude make you unhappy that they offered extra bonus to you for they gave you a breakfast coupon and ignored this free breakfast is included into the booking which is clearly showed on the online booking. And also , coffee maker is it working.

Great location downtown Nanaimo just across from the harbour. Just steps aware from the historic downtown center and parks. Recently renovated rooms and lobby with new restaurants. Excellent staff and atmosphere;

An older hotel that's seems to be being fixed up and in a great area of Nanaimo if you are looking for restaurants and shops close by to walk to. The staff we dealt with were really nice and friendly. All in all a nice stay...

Over the years I have stayed at this lovely spot before. You can't beat the location in Nanaimo. Very central. Nice solid, established and classic feel. Good quality with excellent price, service and value.

We have stayed at this location several times over a number of years, and find that the hotel continues to re-invent itself. It' a good 'middle of the road' choice - no frills, but great location on the inner harbour. We were not aware that the restaurant had re-opened, under the name 'The View', otherwise we would probably have eaten there. The Lobby lounge bar is nice and serves good food in generous portions.

This hotel exceeded my expectations as I have been fooled with online pictures in the past. The staff were extremely helpful and service with a smile. The rooms were spotless and beds super comfy. When we had some spare time come about I asked the front counter staff what they would recommend they offered Chemainus for the murals We enjoyed hours finding all the murals in town. As well as we were recommended to the Errington Wild life rehabilitation and Sanctuary Center and enjoyed that the morning before leaving for home.

I stayed at the Dorchester for work just before COVID and really enjoyed the place. It's a older hotel but very clean and convenient. I had room 329 overlooking the harbour and just down the hall was the free laundry room, microwave and a selection of dishes, cutlery etc if you want to bring home some takeout. Check in with Drew was super efficient. Breakfast was a full on buffet...very good. I was surprised how quiet the rooms facing the water are. Parking is a little weird...the hotel is sandwiched between two streets one of which is one way so I suggest coming in to park off Bastion Street. There are two small lots just south of the hotel. Free parking with a pass. The location is excellent: right downtown with many restaurants, shopping and the waterfront and Gabriola ferry an easy walk away. Try Red's Bakery for several types of the famous treat called Nanaimo Bar.

The staff is all so friendly! Booking was a breeze, followed by a swift check in. Our room was very pleasing with an amazing view. I would definitely recommend the Dorchester and plan to book more stays in the near future.

The hotel was dated but remodeled. Our room was acceptable with a million dollar view of the harbor. We got an early check which was appreciated.The covid virus impacted the hours of the restaurant and the breakfast buffet was closed-understandably. The location is close to many restaurants-unfortunately we didnt go far out of the room with the covid issue. The sstaff were friendly. Highly recommend this hotel.

The hotel is lovely. Room was on the smaller side but clean and well kept. The staff is pleasant. We were very impressed by the staff and food at the new restaurant Top Notch Burgers located on the main floor of the hotel. Our server, Searra, was delightful and attentive. The calamari and tuna dishes were to die for! Would I stay here again, absolutely!! As our trip was during the outbreak of the Corona virus, Nanaimo and the hotel were on the quieter side.

We ended up spending a night at the Best Western Dorchester following a booking snafu at the Coast Bastion. Going in, I was actually looking forward to the brief stay because I kind of liked the Dorchester's “vintage” look. You could tell, even from just the outside, that the Dorchester was at least 50 years old. Of course, that's a non-issue for me; I tend to like staying at older properties because they often have interesting stories to tell if only we have but the eyes to see and the ears to listen. In terms of location, the Best Western Dorchester is more than ideal. Situated in the heart of downtown, the hotel is a mere stone's throw away from the popular Harbourfront Walkway, Maffeo Sutton Park, Seaplanes and Convention Centre. Other attractions such as the Old City Quarter and Casino are but a few minutes' walk. Thus, if you want to be in the heart of the action, you can't get much better than the Dorchester. Entering the Best Western Dorchester, you can't help but feel there's a slight elegance to the place. The lobby, in particular, seamlessly blends the “old world” with the contemporary in a seamless way and manner. The lobby area's fountain further adds to this slight air of elegance. The various hues of grey found throughout the hotel, which some might find kind of drab and lifeless, do much to help the Dorchester exude a sense of calm despite being in the heart of downtown. Check-in was a breeze. The hotel staff were efficient and friendly, which I appreciated after the earlier booking error at the property just across the street. They pointed out the complimentary full breakfast served in the AM (which we didn't try), as well as some of the smaller amenities like free parking and a small business centre. We tend to take small things like this for granted in contemporary hotels. We had a king room on the ground floor. And while the Dorchester markets itself as a boutique-style hotel, I didn't particularly care for the space. The room was tiny and the (hard) king bed took up probably close to 85% of the area in the main room. In fact, the edge of the bed had less than a foot of space between it and the dresser/TV stand. In instances like this, there's little room for luggage! On the plus side, at least the bathroom wasn't nearly as compact. That said, probably the biggest inconvenience experienced during the short stay had to be the air conditioning unit above the doorway. Simply put, it did not function properly – even after a call to the front desk. It blew warm air all throughout the night, making an already warm room that much more uncomfortable. On their website, the Dorchester Hotel asks, “How much more can you ask for?” I say, “how about an air conditioner that works during the summer?” While the location of the Best Western Dorchester is practically unbeatable and the staff friendly I did not particularly care for the compact nature of the accommodation, nor the ill-functioning cooling unit. Had this equipment worked properly, this hotel, overall, would receive a higher rating; however, the heat made sleep quite difficult – something further compacted by the stiff bed.

The hotel is in the process of refurbishing as it is a very old hotel in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. The staff is wonderful and the breakfasts were terrific! We will return again this coming May as it it convenient to the Port Theatre and the wonderful walkway over to Maffeo Sutton Park. The parking is onsite and is free.

Amazing renovation. The hotel looks great. Service was wonderful. Great breakfast,=. a poo land hot tub would be nice, if they can manage it during the next phase of renovations. We will definitly stay here the next time we visit Nanaimo.

Very accommodating staff at front desk. Room was very nice overlooking harbour and downtown with super comfortable bed/s. Great amenities and comfortable environment. The water fountain in lobby was awesome too.

Lisa and Lou part of the night staff went out of their way to be helpful, welcoming and kind after arriving late evening following a challenging day which ended with car trouble. I hope the Best Western appreciate the brilliant customer service they provide. Most appreciated by me!

55 th birthday and travelling to Nanaimo for me, 2nd time back to Dorchester overlooking the harbour, clean, quiet hotel downtown. Excellent service from lobby desk Drew with a quick upgrade to 4th floor facing the harbour when hearing of my birthday Thanks

Late December last year, in inclement weather, my family and I had to drive three hours to Nanaimo because of a dental/ medical emergency, finding ourselves needing a place to stay overnight. For numerous reasons - we like the Best Western brand where we have had good experiences in the past, I had previously taken my mother to this hotel for high tea en route to Ucluelet, and because of its central location - we szoned in on Best Western Dorchester Hotel in the old quarter of the city. We had never stayed a night at the hotel before but we liked the look of it when we pulled up that cold, late December evenings in our car outside. Happily , the dental/medical emergency could be resolved relatively easily, and we were able to enjoy the evening in Nanaimo. The hotel could not been more perfect for our needs -and everyone was gracious and welcoming, from the reception people, both in the evening and out the next morning, to maintenance staff in the hallways, to the breakfast staff, who were absolutely amazing. The array for breakfast was exceptional, always kept fresh and full, with staff bending over backwards to make sure the five of us had everything we needed. The terrific hot breakfast was at no extra charge The location is wonderful, situated as it is amongst a range of appealing eateries. One gets free parking in a open lot conveniently located behind the hotel, and there is a staircase at the back of the hotel which makes it very easy walking from the hotel. An added advantage is it is close to the harbour, which gives one a pleasant view of Nanaimo. It is also an easy place from which to get on to highways I have no reservations about recommending this hotel at all. A good place to stay both for a visit to Nanaimo, and en route to other places in Vancouver Island. Posted by S Fuller

The Dorchester is well over a 100 years on it's foundations. A lot of history there. When you walk in, the surroundings are reminiscent of an British High Tea House ... white and pristine. If you like that kind of environment, then this place will be comfy for you. Our bed was very comfortable, and the room was spotless. Heat was turned on already to welcome us. Windows opened easily for fresh air, unlike some hotels that don't open at all. Staff was extremely jovial and welcoming as well. They do not have a hot tub or pool, and no bar or restaurant attached when we were there in January 2020, but should be active in March 2020. These are minuses against the pluses, for the prices charged, though. It is located right downtown at the harbour, a plus! ... and there are some nice places to visit very close, but it is limited to a few blocks. Still, is was a pleasant stay.

Beautiful hotel right in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. Had a view of the harbour which was spectacular. Great cafe's nearby, great food in the restaurant located in the hotel. A great walk along the waterfront wit cute little shops. Looking forward for next stay in Nanaimo

Arrived on a snowy afternoon in town for business. Front desk clerk greeted me pleasantly and was checked-in very efficiently. Was upgraded to a top floor room overlooking the harbour. Hotel is a bit older but all areas extremely clean, bright and inviting. The room was updated and KS bed had a mattress made in heaven. Very quiet and no noise from traffic. Breakfast had usual BW offerings but multiple choices of meat and potatoes to choose from. Hostess came around and offered fresh croissants right out of the oven. They had Nanaimo bars at breakfast entrance as an additional treat. Will definitely stay here when in town again.

Got caught up by ferry cancellations. This hotel is right in centre, better value than it's more famous competitor across the street, welcomed our dog, free parking, good breakfast, managed to match our genius rate, and, most impressively, showed a big effort at reducing waste, excessive plastic in rooms and at breakfast. Would stay again. Bonus: good mexican food and a very nice brewery just a few blocks away.

We stopped here for the night as the ferry was cancelled. The staff at check in were stand out and cheered us up. The room was big and the parking was free. Tea in the room as well as coffee - yay! Great breakfast next morning included with the room rate.

Thanks again for making my stay in Nanaimo a very comfortable one! My kingsize bed with a harbour view was wonderful. The room was spotless and I enjoyed my sleep. I could definitely sense a high level of pride from all of your team. It must be pretty cool to work at such a historic hotel.

I stayed here for 3 nights in January 2020. From the time I checked in, to the time I checked out, the entire staff was so pleasant to run into. I travel to Nanaimo for business about once a month and typically stay across the street from the Dorchester ... but will be staying here more often after this wonderful experience. My room was spotless and I had all the amenities that I needed for my stay. Breakfast and parking were included in my stay. I stopped in for breakfast 2 of 3 mornings after my walk along the seawall. The only constructive criticism I would give is perhaps a little more variety from day to day at the buffet. It's not a big deal, but if you are staying for a number of nights it could get boring pretty quickly. The bar wasn't open during my stay, but there are plenty of colorful watering holes for a drink and nightly entertainment very close by. My understanding is that come March, the bar in the lobby will be open for regular business again. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the genuinely happy team of professionals that all greeted me throughout my stay. Front desk, Breakfast crew, Housekeeping, and Management. 5-star service by all! Thank you!

This hotel is one of the best locations in downtown Nanaimo. The free breakfast here puts it ahead of the rest. The breakfast room and amount of options are more than most hotels I've been to. The Heat/AC in each room and windows that actually opened made sure the room was always a perfect temperature.

Located right down town...lots of shops, amenities within walking distance. Great cafes and restaurants near by. Room was clean. Buffet breakfast was nice. No restaurant for lunch or dinner though. Check in/check out was quick. All staff was very pleasant and helpful. It was quiet. Prices were good.

Central location in downtown Nanaimo. Lobby has been redone and is bright and inviting, as is the breakfast room. Hotel is old but reasonably priced with lots of parking onsite. Some rooms have harbour views. Rooms are small but well appointed.

the charm of the hardwood floors and picture windows give the room light and security. Its views out to the labour was exceptional. The location feels perfect for the business on foot in town. It has an American breakfast that I supplemented with a local Latte just a short walk around the block.

Everything is very clean, staff is all very friendly and helpful. Beds and pillows are comfortable, lots of fluffy, white towels, great TV and WiFi. However, the furniture and the decor of the room is very dated, (the couch was just OK comfort wise), also, bathroom has some patching done on the ceiling from previous leaks above the shower. I can imagine that it is hard to keep up an older building but there are better ways to hide/creatively cover a patch job in a ceiling, (hubby is in the renovation business), but that would be my only complaint. The thing we liked the most is the free breakfast, (which wasn't available at our previous stays here). I loved making my own waffle and customizing it with a variety of toppings. Overall, a very comfortable stay with great staff! Thanks to everyone at Best Western Dorchester for a lovely weekend.

This historic hotel is located right in the hub of Nanaimo's water front experience. Park your car in the hotel's lot and walk to great eateries or a casual walk along the waterfront. Request room 402 and bask in a 180 degree awesome view.

The lobby and breakfast area look nice and new. The rooms and hallways are very dated and very small. Even in my "family suite" I had to turn sideways to walk past the end of the bed and the dresser. Also I reserved a single king room and was told on check in that it was not available. I was placed in a "family suite" and charged nearly $80 more per night than expected. There are many other hotels in Nanaimo in the same price range. Next time I will shop around.

I have to say the front desk staff is amazing but that's where the good ends. Don't let the lobby fool you! This hotel has not been updated since what looks like the 70's and the rooms are horrible. The hallways are tight, poorly lit and the carpet should be your first warning. Once you find your room and open the door, the musty old smell will slap you in the face. The beds are old and need to be replaced and I honestly worried about sleeping in it. This hotel is located in a great part of Nanaimo, close to shopping, restaurants and across from the harbour but this is why the owner hasn't invested in this property, they know people will pay the ridiculous rate to be in this area, regardless if the rooms are updated. DO NOT STAY HERE! There are better hotels to choose from nearby.

This hotel is quite old, and you can tell. The lobby is deceiving - it looks very modern and lovely Then you go upstairs and all you see is shades of brown. The carpet is old, floors are creaky, ceilings are low and hallways are narrow. There are lots of little corners and doors to go through, making it easy to get lost. The walls are extremely thin - you can hear everything going on in the rooms as you pass them (things you do not need to hear!!), and can hear people talking next door. Our room was clean, BUT there were blood stains on a duvet. Yuck! The beds were hard and the pillows lumpy. We had a special conference price of $179, and it was not worth what we paid. I would not stay here again.

My wife and I spent one night here and were thankful it was only one. The location was convenient enough as we were attending an event at the Coast hotel across the street, but we both slept terribly due to the uncomfortable bed and the very loud HVAC system. It was fine otherwise, but the sleep was bad enough that I doubt we would return.

Loved the room as we were able to put all 6 of us together without feeling cramped, just cozy. Very cute area. would have loved to have had more time to explore the interesting shops that surround it. Close to the conference centre. Nice to have free parking.

Clean, nicely appointed room. Quiet. TV small but in room fridge. Nicely located with things around it. Front desk staff was friendly and helpful. Only gripe is that fitness centre didnt open until 7. FOr business travellers, thats too late.

Friendly staff, modern clean hotel. Excellent selection for breakfast buffet. Enjoyed BW Dorchester more than the Coast Bastion across the street. Beautiful view of the harbour, great location. Will definitely stay here again.

I have stayed at a lot of Best Western and each experience is different. The staff here were friendly and helpful. At check-in the worker was welcoming and shared a lot of information about what to expect during our stay and what they offer.

The Hotel is full of character and charm a little dated but classy. Room was small but well laid out, bed was very comfortable. Close to great restaurants and shopping. The ocean is at your doorstep and lots to do and see within walking distance.

This hotel sits conveniently close to the Harbour Air terminal for easy access to Vancouver. While the website maintains that there is a bar and restaurant on site, there is only a breakfast served in the restaurant. The hotel is somewhat dilapidated and there was a bad smell in some of the corridors and in my room. After opening the windows and having little relief, I went to report this to the front desk. I was told that it was because the hotel was 50 years old and someone was dispatched to spray air conditioner around. The coin operated snack dispenser wasn't working and ate my money. When I reported this, I was told again that this was a very old hotel and my money was refunded. Fixtures and furniture was old and of poor quality. Shampoo and lotion dispensers are nailed to the wall. The appearance of the rooms is shabby.

Love this place for location views and ammenities. The parking is free the restaurants are walking distance and the staff is super helpful. We had a great sleep and were treated to a fantastic breakfasted included in the price. Laundry facilities is a nice touch.

Very nice hosts, clean rooms, the best location.Tip: if you are coming for a special occasion tell your host.and if you want a good view just ask they are so helpful and they always answer the phone if you call. If you want to go eat somewhere close to the hotel go to pirates chip and modern cafe, Gabriel's cafe

We've stayed at the Dorchester several times and have enjoyed every stay. This visit was no exception. The staff is great, the location convenient and the facilities well maintained. My wife and I enjoy well-maintained hotels with history and charm rather than the cookie cutter, sterile feel of the newer offerings and the Dorchester fits the bill.

Always look forward to staying here as the staff are excellent and the view from our room is phenomenal. Hotel is always clean and comfortable. This year was the first time they offered complimentary breakfast on the first day they did well.

I arrived with my partner and two kids very late in the evening during Labor Day weekend, which ended up being very unfortunate because there was no parking in the designated lot and the lot was very challenging to get out of. We checked in and learned that the hotel would reimburse the cost for us to park in a pay lot about three blocks away, which was nice. In the morning the view from the hotel was awe-inspiring and it is worth staying in this hotel for the view alone. There was a complimentary breakfast provided which was provided in an incredibly nice, sunlit room, but the breakfast was pretty bland (several kinds of muffins, breads, and cereals) with some fruit. Overall it was a very nice place to stay.

This is one of the better BW properties I've tried. Sometimes they can be a bit hit or miss but, this one is a hit. Very good and helpful front desk personnel, one of whom helped me get a better rate for my 3-night stay upon check-in. Very much appreciated. Nicely appointed rooms, spacious and functional fitness center, restaurant and an excellent, walkable location to restaurants, shops, the harbor and. the waterfront park. Recommended.

It was our first stay at the BW Dorchester. The location is excellent, we were able to walk to restaurants, shops and harbor. The room was great, beds were comfortable and bathroom was good. We had breakfast in the restaurant and it was delicious. Staff was friendly and helpful. The only thing negative thing we noticed was that the room was a bit stuffy. We would have opened the windows but there were no screens.

Check in was great check out was easy. Getting the reservation was awesome had some great help getting a room even though I knew it was going to be an issue due to all the camps that were going on that weekend. The only issue we had was parking. Not enough stalls for the guests. Also I did recommend they have a express breakfast

A short, but comfortable stay in Nanaimo. The hotel had everything we needed. It was clean, comfortable and we loved the ocean view and being able to walk around to all the great shops and restaurants in the area : )

The Dorchester was the most run-down hotel I have ever stayed in. There was significant mold build-up on the grout over the bath-tub. The carpets in the halls were badly worn and both the halls and room smelt musty. The floors in the bathrooms were not level. The Dorchester needs a complete refit. Furnishings and decor were both extremely out-dated. Reception staff were excellent at their job. I recommend considering your chances at an Air-bnb.

I stopped here for a meal whilst waiting for relatives. The guy in reception was helpful in keeping my luggage whilst I went to the restaurant. The restaurant looks to be newly renovated and is advertised as being European cuisine, however the menu is mostly Ukrainian dishes. The meal was not quite what I was expecting - but it was adequate. Certainly not a luxury experience and quite expensive. There were only 3 of us in the restaurant and in all fairness a couple sitting at another table were very complimentary about the food - they may well have come specifically for the Ukrainian food?! Would not choose to eat here again based in the menu.

Stayed at this hotel for one night. It's an older hotel that was undergoing some external renovations. It's close to the waterfront which is nice for evening stroll. Our room was very small. It had a queen bed but hardly any room to walk around. Parking was around the back. It was clean but bathroom was musty smelling.

Very friendly staff with a good knowledge of their location/events around the area. Beautiful views of the ocean and next to plenty of restaurants, cafes, little shops, whale watching, etc... Would stay again!

My wife and I decided to stay at the Best Western Dorchester for the first time ever. We were on a short trip from New Westminster through to the Sunshine Coast and East Vancouver Island. While the prime downtown location of the BW Dorchester is hard to beat, after that our stay was not pleasurable. We were charged almost $300 for an extremely small room with a large bed that had very uncomfortable mattress and pillows. Room was so small, we barely had place to put our luggage anywhere. The parking was behind the hotel in an open air public lot and if you have any accessibility issues - good luck. That's because you need to climb multiple stairs to get in the back entrance of the hotel - or make your way back to the front of the hotel to get in. Our room on the 2nd floor was not accessible to wheelchairs/walkers as you had to take a small flight of stairs (after you get off the elevator) to get to it. Our room was located above a very noisy fan that turned on every 4 minutes which meant we couldn't keep the window open and were forced to sleep with an even noiser air conditioner. Not that we required a harbour view, but the room they stuffed us in was looking directly on to another building and there was little privacy if you opened up your curtains. If that wasn't bad enough, the walls were paper thin and a loud party was taking place next door. Given all the noise, it's hard to understand why the hotel didn't make any attempt to shut it down until I finally called down to the front desk and demanded security knock on the door. The strong scent of marijuana in the hallway coming out of the 'party room' was horrible - this of course in a 'no smoking' room. Once security did come by at 1:30 am...the next door rowdies finally quieted down. Upon checkout not a single staff member asked us how our stay was. You would think that's a minimum at any hotel. Needless to say, we would not recommend this site. Thankfully the rest of our trip and stays in other hotels was much more enjoyable - so we had a great trip overall.

The Hotel was undergoing renovations when we stayed - so I do believe they are working on some improvements. We stayed only one night (and there was a city-wide power outage during our stay) - so our experiences were probably not reflective of typical operations, and we didn't partake in any of the extra ammenities (laundry, restaurant, etc). The decor in our suite was old-fashioned and unattractive, but the room was very clean and comfortable. The staff seemed a little overwhelmed and undersupported, but also seemed like they were doing the best they could and gave us some appreciated extra service. The price was very reasonable, but our experience could have been improved if the hotel were a little less chaotic.

Not up to BW standards. The outside of the hotel was undergoing renovations. This resulted in extremely difficult access with luggage. The guy on reception did his best to be helpful but, as he was on his own, there was not a lot he could do. The room was OK. We had been upgraded to an ocean view room, which made up for a lot of the other shortcomings! The room was clean, but tired and in need of some renovations - the bathroom in particular. We had breakfast in the restaurant. The staff were helpful and the food was good. I was a bit disconcerted to be totally ignored by the two people on reception in the morning. I would not stay there again.

We were staying for one night before catching the morning ferry. The hotel is ok, the service was good and the location is convenient. Although parking is free it is a little confusing as the sign at the back says it is parking for the Dorchester Hotel and of course we were looking for Best Western. I don't know how long it has been a Best Western but it is a little run down and needs some TLC. Getting bags in from the front of the hotel was ok, but it is difficult to park there. Taking bags out to the car park wasn't quite as good as there are steps. We had a comfortable night and a short drive to the ferry in the morning and would probably stay there again in the same circumstances. Can imagine some people might not like it though.

We were placed on the second floor. The halls are dated. The room was clean. During the night, the conversations on the street level were easily heard through the closed windows along with those talking in the hallways. The wall mounted unit for heat/air conditioning had a very loud fan and therefore, we were unable to run it overnight. The staff were friendly and helpful and especially the wonderful lady that took care of the rooms on the second floor for cleaning.

Very over priced, over $1300 for a 4 night stay. First night the room was $229, cost of the room increased every night, I was expecting a bill of $900 and got slapped with $1300++ NOT WORTH THE MONEY!!!

We contact Hotels, Motels and B+Bs directly and never have a problem. Internet reservation companies seem to have frequent glitches which is something we find irritating. We prefer to arrive at a place of accommodation & deal directly with the desk clerk. If we are in a place at high season for tourism, we reserve directly with the hotel roof our choice. This works best for us.

I requested a very clean room as cleanliness is very important to me. I walked i to the room and there was hair all over the floor. In the sink, on the floor and on the toilet. They obviously had not cleaned the room. Very disappointing.

It was a great location. Staff was very friendly. Food was good. The parking was inconvenient but you can't help that when you have limited space. We enjoyed the location. Close to shopping and the marina.

Staff was great but renos at hotel made entry and exit difficult. Hotel is old and quaint but seems to need some serious upgrades. Walking in the hallways felt like I was shaking the whole floor. Soft spots in the floor in the room also. Fit and finish is antiquated and bathrooms are cramped.

I always love staying at this hotel, the view, outdoor patio and proximity to the shops and restaurant is perfect. I've never used it but I think it's pretty awesome that there is a laundromat in the building.

Superior service for the region, really. Very friendly desk staff. We booked this the night we got in and no problems at all. Good parking, bar, and breakfast. Central to anything you'd want to do. Highly recommended.

There was a long lineup when we arrived at 5pm. Conference in town had the place packed. When we reached our turn in line we were greeted by Cody who was absolutely awesome! Even though there was 10 people behind us Cody made us feel like we were the only ones there. Great job working under pressure.

The hotel is older and the rooms need to be updated but it's clean and in a great location! The beds are very firm so made it hard to sleep. Cleaning staff in the hallways were very pleasant but the fellow on the front desk was not very helpful on check in when one of our group asked if she could change her room location (she wanted to be on the 3rd floor that has a smoking deck outside) and the guy didn't even check, just said no and wasn't apologetic at all. However he was super friendly and helpful on checkout??? So maybe he was just having a moment. Overall it's a little overpriced I felt but a great location.

Beautiful view from our room. Hotel and room very clean. Hotel situated across the street from the harbour. Easy walk to see many of the sights around the harbour. Would definitely stay again. One caveat: the seaplanes start arriving/departing in the early morning (probably about 7:00 a.m.) and are rather loud, but would not deter me from staying here again.

My visit to Nanaimo was for Bussiness. I was greeted with a smile and was given a very warm welcome to the motel. The Room was clean with all the ammenities required. The Resaraunt changed since my last visit but was of very good quailty.

I had a quiet and awesome time during my stay in Nanaim. Well localise in down town. The services was exceptional and the staff took their time to explain everything. Highly recommend this place if you have anything to do surrounding Nanaimo. Thumbs up!!

Area of Naniamo know for arts and crafts and great cool restaurants. Staff was incredibly hospitable room was fresh with a great view of the bay!' Walked to the best French Cafe I've ever had highly recommend!

We are currently traveling through the West of Canada. We stayed in Nanaimo before we travelled to Tofino. We stayed in the Best Western. The Hotelroom was not to small and clean. The service was efficient and friendly. It is not a boutique hotel but it does not cost too much. A fair value.

The hotel has a good location in historic downtown across the street from Bastion Park. Close to restaurants, the Harbour-front Walkway and Port Theatre. Hotel is older but the common area and rooms have received some upgrades. Our room on the second floor facing Church Street had two double beds, two comfortable chairs, writing desk, fridge, Keurig coffee maker, flat screen TV, closet, shower in bathtub, hairdryer, iron and board an umbrella and free Wi-Fi, free outside parking. The Dorchester is a good downtown choice.

My daughter and I stayed 2 nights as part of a 10 night tour round Vancouver and Vancouver Island. We stayed in 5 different hotels and this was bottom of the list by a mile. We parked in the car park and went to check in. There's quite a long flight of steps up to Reception so should you want to stay here (which I wouldn't do again) then make sure you drive to the front of the hotel to drop off your cases before parking. The check in was not very professional. We were given no information other than a ticket to put in our car and to be told to make sure we lock the car and don't leave any valuables in it as the rough sleepers walk through the car park and try all the doors. The hotel (other than the lobby and bar/restaurant are which have had a refurb) is dark, dingy, dated and smells musty, including the room. The net curtains were a well aged shade of grey. I found my bed uncomfortable ( hard and the springs creaked every time I moved - and no I'm not particularly large!). My daughter said her bed was ok. The pillows were small for a queen sized bed and only 3 on each. Everywhere else we had stayed had 4 lage very comfortable pillows whereas these were not good. There was 1 spare pillow in the wardrobe but not a very fresh colour and no pillow case. The T.V didnt work properly. The picture started to "crack up" after a few minutes and we had to keep turning the TV off. The beds were made up with a sheet under the duvet and no sheet over the duvet, and unless they put a clean duvet on the bed every time,( which woud be unusual in a hotel ), isn't very nice because the duvet isn't encased in sheets. The young gentleman on Reception was unable to tell me whether the duvets were clean on the bed, only that beds were made to Best Western Standards. He did however supply us with 2 extra sheets on request. The room was not spotlessly clean. The bath and sink were clean and so were the sheets but there was dust in the corners and the bathroom cupboards were dirty. We didn't investigate too closely!! I guess the room was difficult to clean because it was so dated and lots of rough edges on the woodwork, so had corners that collect dirt. Basically the hotel is well overdue for re-decoration which might improve the smell. There are no mugs or glasses in the room. Paper cups are supplied for tea and coffee and plastic beakers for water which are also wrapped in plastic. The spoons, sugar etc are all wrapped in sealed plastic with napkins so if you need 1 specific item, you have to open a pack and dispose of everything else- not very eco friendly. I did speak to a young man on Reception to express my disappointment. To be fair to him, he did offer to move us to a room with a view and offered us a free breakfast. I declined because he said that the room would be the same, just with a view and all I wanted was a clean comfortable room. When we checked out, I was asked if we enjoyed our stay. When I said not really and explained why, I was given excuses, which don't really help - not good customer service. The only positive comment I can offer other than good location was the shower was good and there was plenty of hot water. I definitely wouldn't return and would have actually moved somewhere else if it hadn't been for the fact that we were tired and wanted to get out and enjoy our holiday rather than waste time moving hotel. Prior to staying, I thought the hotel appeard good value but now I wouldn't say so and its put me off staying in another Best Western. I am not trying to compare it to a five star hotel but I have stayed in far better budget hotels,

Very convenient to the downtown & portions of the harbour front & the theatre & restaurants. If you need to use a baggage cart be sure to check with registration that there are no stairs between the elevator & your room. We had to go back & get another room as my back was acting up - getting another one was not an issue but it was very tight quarters.

Great service. Very helpful and friendly staff at the front desk. Hotel is older but nicely updated. Very clean rooms, nice view of the harbor and close to the town shops and conference centre. Very comfortable hotel.

We booked this hotel based on the fact that we have always had good luck with BW and are long standing members. The location was good but the hotel and rooms needs updating. The front desk clerk was not very welcoming and spoke like he was reading from a memorized script. The parking was very poor with no easy access from the the hotel. There was no complimentary breakfast (first time I have encountered that with BW). The shower head in the bathroom was falling apart (we did report it but it should have been caught by the cleaning staff) and the tub was slippery - needs some sort of anti-slip mat. All in all, not a hotel we would stay in again.

This could be the oldest building in Nanaimo - or maybe it just feels that way! This is one tired property. The room's carpet has been replaced with cheap-looking vinyl plank; when the flooring gets changed to a hard surface, the doors need adjusting. They weren't, so the hallway light and noise was free to flow directly into the room. A room with no desk, although it did have a small fridge just sitting there out in the open to drone away all night. Taylor Swift will get back together with her ex before I stay here again.

Great location, lots of excellent restaurants nearby. Great staff. No problems. Good food everyday for lunch and even accommodated several of our teams dietary restrictions way better than other hotels I've used in the past.

My girlfriend and I had the misfortune of staying at this hotel for one night. The building stank of muskiness; like old mothballs. The ammenties were either very low or lacking completely. No conditioner in the installed shower dispenser. The room cleaners banged on our door 1 hour before checkout. We let them know we arent due to check out until 11. They came back banging on our door 30 mins later!! We let them know again theyvare disturbing us. At this point my girlfriend and I were so upset we just packed and left. I made a complaint. The manager got back to me and said the room cleaner admitted to knocking on the door but only at 10:45, 15 mins before checkout. That was a LIE! And rather than accepting our complaint the manager chose to believe her room attendants and basically accused my girlfriend and I of lying. The conditioner was basically empty, my girlfriend couldnt get enough out forbhwr hair. And rather than accepting our complaint the manager said she check herself and while the bottle was low there was still conditioner in it... This hotel has the worst customer service I have ever experienced in any establishment. I will never spend any amount at the Best Western Dorchester ever again. I have stayed many a nights at Best Western's throughout BC and have always enjoyed the value and rooms. Never again. Best Western Dorchester management has ruined the entire chain for me. Never again.

Excellent location, excellent service, very friendly staff, very clean, large rooms and excellent value! If you are going to Vancouver island, you will not regret staying here, it has everything you need

Location is great, right by the harbour in the city centre, hotel is old but in good repair and public areas have been renovated. Service is excellent and the breakfast was large and gave great value.

Great hotel, reasonable, good view and walking distance to many shops and restaurants. I have stayed here many times and will continue to do so in the future. It's nice when you are a frequent best western customer and get updated to a nicer room.

Well was a 1 night stay rooms where small with not much room cold rooms heater full blast still cold .Bathroom was small and room had view. no free breakfast bed not the greatest little sore back and parking away from hotel

Good rates for good quality. Helpful, efficient staff, also, some nice updates to an older hotel. Very clean and quiet rooms. I will stay here again and recommend this hotel for business and family travel. Because the hotel was quite full at the time, I stayed in both a Queen room and 2 double beds suite. Both of these were of the same good quality.

Very convenient and very well situated hotel in Downtown Nanaimo with the most important equipment needed. Very friendly staff. Heritage building just a little bit outdated but still very good standards.

The rooms are pretty clean but showing their age. There was dirt under the beds and the AC and fridge were old and loud. The bathroom is a little grimy, just because it's aged.Overall this place is goof value, but it's not aging well.

Stayed a night before a concert at the Port Theatre on the 4th floor with a harbour view..Beautiful view and the room was comfortable and large and clean. The lobby was nice and staff were alright..nothing outstanding but we got our room with no hassle..It's obviously an older hotel that has been remodelled as the hallways smelled very musty..Location is great..lots of little shops and restaurants in the area, Port Theatre down the road and a beautiful harbour walk across the street! Had breakfast at the restaurant which was very nice but the waitress might have seen better days! All and all this is a solid 3 star ⭐️ hotel in a great location in Nanaimo!

Stayed here one night to make it easier to get the early morning ferry across to Vancouver. Reception is small and we were not made very welcome. Our room was not ready (we were slightly early so not a problem). The receptionist offered to store our luggage so we could go out but he took us to a big conference room and said we could leave our luggage in there (it was not locked). As check-in time was only approx 30mins away we decided to wait in the lobby with our cases until the room was ready. We waited almost an hour, in view of the same receptionist, and were ignored. We saw others check in and in the end I went and asked how long until our room was ready. He said it was ready and took us to one of the smallest rooms I had ever seen, The room, on the ground floor, was that small that we could not wheel a case to the other side of the bed- there was not enough space at the bottom of the bed or the other side. This caused quite a trip hazard as both cases were then on the one side, in the little space there was. The hotel is on a corner and we overlooked a carpark (no big deal as we only wanted to sleep). We had had done quite a bit of travelling so thought we would get our heads down for a little siesta before going out to eat. No chance- the traffic noise was horrendous and the maids were congregated in our corridor. My husband asked for a room change but that was not possible as the hotel was full. The room was not only noisy but dark and not spotlessly clean. Situation wise it is on the outskirts of Nanaimo and it is a bit isolated at night. We walked to find somewhere to eat and felt a little vulnerable. There is nothing you could do to make me stay there again or recommend it. Looking at the reviews I guess there must be better rooms and we just drew the short straw but I can only describe what we experienced

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel.The view of the harbour from our window was "a million dollar view".Amazing looking out any time of the day.We were lucky to catch a beautiful sun rise on Monday morning.Wonderful area around the hotel.We loved the shops and coffee places,fun stores.Walking around the pier was awesome. Hotel staff was great and we would definitely stay here again. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

I stayed for 4 nights in October for a family visit. My room was clean, comfortable, simple and had an ocean view, which was nice to overlook the harbour. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant every morning, where guests get a discount. Breakfast was simple and tasty, but go early if you're in a rush, as service is friendly but slow. The heater in my room leaked, but staff were responsive when I raised the issue. And it's a great location downtown.

I really love staying here. Drew at the desk is the most pleasant of people to deal with, the outdoor patio is great, the view of the harbour is to die for and it is impressive that there is a laundry for guests in the building. There are so many really funky little places to eat at within walking distance (Gabriel's Gourmet Café and Gina's Mexican come to mind), Nanaimo is a very charming little city.

We stayed here 2 nights and enjoyed the experience thoroughly. We had a bit of a hiccup at first with booking but the hotel manager, Julie, resolved the matter fully and everything went very smoothly from there. The property is older but is quite well maintained, located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo and offers outstanding views of the harbour. We had a very positive experience at check-in with Eli, who also provided excellent information to us on sites and resources nearby. I ate dinner one night at the restaurant on site - the quality of the food was good. There is a clothes store on site run by a mother/daughter pair called Fig Love - be sure to check it out as the quality of the clothing is great and its location very pleasant as you can drop your purchases upstairs in your room and run off to explore some more of the city freely. The gym is reasonably well equipped as well and very tidy. Overall our stay was pleasant and we'll stay here again when in Nanaimo.

My wife and I recently spent 1 night here on our brief trip to Vancouver Is. We loved our 4th. floor habor view room. The two queen beds were very comfy. The view was great. The location is very nice if you want to walk a bit for a meal or the nearby casino. We did not use the restaurant during our stay. Parking is free and easy to use. The price we paid seemed reasonible compared to other properties without nice views. I'd definitely stay here again on a future visit.

In spite of the good location in proximity to key downtown sites, this hotel with tiny rooms and somewhat tired amenities, does not meet up with BW's usual standards in my view. Ours had the feel of a storage closet, what with the refrigerator door blocked by the foot of the bed and the clogged drain in the bathtub. Keen but overly brisk personnel does not improve this situation.

My wife and I have stayed at the Dorchester on numerous occasions at different times of the year. We have thoroughly enjoyed the rooms which are very comfortable spacious and provide a beautiful view of the Nanaimo harbour. The Dorchester is located in the heart of Nanaimo and right across the street from one of the best sea walks on the Island. The restaurant food is more than adequate and the service is excellent as is the front desk staff. Convenient self check-in and check-out was appreciated. Parking can be a little awkward but the staff are able and willing to help. Rates are reasonable for location and amenities.

Just spent one night to attend a wedding. Only a 20 minute taxi drive from the airport at a cost of about $35.00. Hotel is in walking distance of everything you could want. We arrived at 1:00 but check in is 3:00. The wedding started at 3:30 so we asked Eli at the front desk if he could possibly get us in a room early. Without even hesitating he started phoning the cleaning staff and within 5 minutes we had a room. Thanks Eli for the great service. Room was fine, everything we needed and a good sleep. Got up early the next morning and used the complementary computer and printer to check in for our flight home. Another good stay at a Best Western.

My sister, my husband and I recently traveled to Nanaimo. Our plane was delayed, so we arrived after midnight but were warmly welcomed at the desk and were happy to find clean, comfortable rooms waiting. Both rooms had lovely views of the harbor but were still very quiet at night. We appreciated the options for cleaning of the rooms over the three nights we were there, as we believe in conservation and surely don't need clean sheets every day. The hotel is very well situated for walking in Nanaimo, and there's a restaurant and small bar downstairs. We would stay there again.

A great location right in the center town. Lots to see around a busy working harbor. Nanaimo is a very interesting city with lots of history. Parking at the hotel is very limited. A good facility for tourists traveling by bus.

Would not stay here again. Hotel is downtown with an outside, unsecured parking lot next door. Don't bother with the lounge as they have a very limited amount of choices. Restaurant is completely understaffed (one server and one cook). Room was completely cramped - mostly a bed - and the rest was filled with furniture. I'd say dangerous.

This is our third time to Nanaimo and to the Dorchester. The staff are very friendly and professional. Great views from the rooms overlooking the harbour . Breakfast at the restaurant is different and a welcome change. Walking distance to some nice places to eat.

The front desk attendants were excellent: quick, courteous, accommodating. The ocean harbour view was gorgeous and the room was clean and modern. I'd return in a heartbeat. The hotel is located close to the old downtown shopping district: quaint and eclectic.

Day 6 we set sail for Vancouver Island. We putted around Victoria seeing friends and the sights before heading off to Nanaimo for the evening. We made reservations and arrived fairly early. We had a hard time getting to the hotel. Apparently early Thursday evenings they have a street market where local businesses display their wares that closes Church Street off to vehicular traffic. We finally figured a way and made it to the hotel. It turned out you don't need to go down Church. The hotel's entrance and parking lot is off of Front St. They don't have an exclusive parking lot. They make good of a public parking lot beside the hotel. The Hotel will give you a pass so that you don`t have to pay. Upon checking in, the staff was very good and made sure all of our needs were attended to. Our room was spectacular. We had a harbour view. I guess that`s why our room was over 200 dollars. The view of McGregor Park Marina (or whatever it`s called) was wonderful and we watched the life on the boats and planes taking off from the harbour. The room was very clean, spacious and had comfortable beds. Bonus points to be had – Their laundry facility is available for free. You just pay for the detergent.

On the positive side: location is great, and staff were helpful and accommodating. Alas, that doesn't offset the negatives: analog tv (!), lumpy bed and pillows, and dusty bedside clock 13 hours off current time. The rooms have been repainted but details don't live up to the new colours. Would recommend you go to the Coast Bastion across the street instead.

We enjoyed this historic waterfront hotel. Although we had been told the hotel was not wheelchair accessible, the attendant put us in a mini-suite, instead of the smaller room we had reserved, to better accommodate my husband's needs who is in a wheelchair. The location of the hotel was very picturesque and we enjoyed the restaurant also.

We had a four hour layover in Nanaimo and no place to store our luggage. Eli at the Dorchester graciously took our bags, even though we were not guests (we were going to be staying that night at their sister hotel in Port Alberni). This was a real plus for us and allowed us to explore the pretty town of Nanaimo. Another terrific experience at a Best Western!

I stayed there a few days and the staff was superhelpful. I needed an extra day and they were able to help me even though a convention was coming in. The room was very nice, albeit almost crowded. The heating,AC, lights all worked fine. The bath water was nice and hot- definite plus! The ONKY problem was that there was only 1 ice machine for the whole hotel!

Room was small and musty odor, toilet did not flush very well. Way over priced even for that time of the year. We came in at 1030pm on the Saturday and our room had not been attended to, even though we had left at 1045 AM that day, and there was NO do not disturb sign on the door,as we removed it when we left at 1045AM.

This hotel is an old hotel taken over by Best Western - it is very well located but would definitely need revamping - the carpets in the corridors smell humid and the rooms have a little run down feeling - definitely not worth the price I payed!

Last review I said I would stay again and I did. Good valu and good front end service this time around which is allways nice. There is somewhat of a funk factor to this property and as stated previously it is a good location to waterfront,the theatre and restaurants Harbour view is nice Room was clean and bed comfortable Good bathroom,shower & tub and clean A good option for downtown Nanaimo

What a fabulous hotel! Drew at the front desk checked me in and I have to say, he is just fantastic. Friendly, accommodating, professional and welcoming. I've stayed here before, will be back. Super comfy beds, clean room and great location. Thanks Drew! You made my stay!

We were happy to get upgraded to an ocean view room, however their fitness centre didn't open until 7AM - too late to work out, eat breakfast & get to the conference. We waited for our breakfast for 35 mins the first morning so went to another hotel for breakfast the rest of the week. Only 1 server of 11 tables - very slow but not her fault.

Here for 3 nights, A/C rooms clean/small and just over basic. Beds are comfortable.. but all seems touch 2 economical. My BIG Peeve, totally crap Shaw TV service due to owners deciding ANALOGUE signal just fine! Well it's not at this price! NHL Stanley Cup on & I'm seeing scratchy/snow signal, manager.. sorry it's the best we have.. crap! Mr. Owner.. Step up!

The hotel room was fine and very clean. Very poor parking, we ate breakfast one morning only, and would not recommend this to anyone. Even with 20% off the prices were high and food was poor. The vending machines out on the patio need to have proper prices on them. My daughter and her husband had a separate room and had reserved a certain one, did not get it, then went back to the desk, got a nicer view but 2 double beds.

We stayed in a Harbour View room and it was perfect. The view was amazing, the room very clean and quiet, the free laundry was fantastic, and we couldn't fault the friendliness of the staff. The hotel is close to lots of cafes, restaurants, and best of all, the Harbour. The weather was perfect during our stay, but even if it wasn't, we could quite happily sit in our comfortable armchairs and watch the boats and seaplanes coming and going. Would definitely recommend a Harbour View room.

After overhearing conversation with my colleage regarding my safety concerns about leaving my kayak on top of my car overnight in the parking lot, front counter staff offered to store my kayak in a meeting room during my 2-night stay. Very much appreciated his commitment to good service.

This hotel does what it needs to do Functional clean rooms Not that quiet based on its position but after having a look around town not too many options It's well positioned Staff are helpful friendly Bathrooms functional As you can see not raving but a bed for the night not nad

Hotel rooms show their age. Ours was very small. Cleanliness could have been better. Very thin walls - woken by conversation next door, not loud - just normal tone of voice. In a great location downtown but probably wouldn't choose to stay here again.

Rooms are so small its not funny. And the noise is unreal. Door slamming, walls as thin as paper. I told the front desk when I registered I needed quiet as I had to work all weekend, I was guaranteed that if there was a problem it would be resolved and I would be moved to a better room. What a lie that was! When the noise became problematic to sleep I called front desk and then could do very little let alone provide a quiet room. Don't come here it isn't worth the cost of the room!!!!!!

Very nice view of the harbour. Really nice to look out the window and enjoy watching the ships and the water planes taking off. The check in staff was very helpful. He was able to look up my rewards number and credit my account. He even told me that I had gold status that I never knew about!

We stayed in a beautifully large suite The king bed was super comfy, we had two pull out sofa beds, Keurig coffee machine and pretty good views On top of everything we were able to check in about 11:00am, which was great. Why only 3 stars? The restaurant and lounge are completely uninviting and deserted At breakfast the young girl working was wAy over her head and clearly had never served before. Zero menu knowledge, training or hospitality skills. I was one of 5 guests that morning at breakfast. Every table had dirty plates and cups on them...every single table. When you are starting your day eating breakfast and surrounded by other guests breakfast leftovers and garbage it kinda leaves a bad impression. Hey, the front desk guys were great, the housekeepers did a wonderful job tidying our room, but the restaurant, lounge and breakfast experience soured our visit.

The Best Western Dorchester has been remodeled. We checked in and had a professional reception by a young gracious fellow. Our room faced the ocean, roomy and clean. Our double beds were comfortable and the view was great. Parking was provided as well. The lobby offered a coffee stand - 24 hour and of course the BW cookies! If you have heavy luggage use the Church entrance then park. The ocean side of the hotel has stairs to the door entrance. The breakfast area is bright and faces the ocean. Servers are polite and the breakfast is offered at 20% off for guests. We ordered toast and cream cheese that comes in a serving dish and is more than ample. We extended our stay 2 more days without problems. The hotel also has guest laundry. Because it was spring break the laundry soap dispensers were empty. Try as hard as the reception staff tried they could not find any soap. (Housekeeping was closed that evening). A hint - carry a packet of soap in your suitcase!. We enjoyed our stay - ask for a room with an ocean view. We will be back!

The deck clerk at check-in was very welcoming and helpful. Overall great experience. Great location. Walking distance to downtown. Close to the Casino and waterfront. Will stay here again. Good food in the restaurant.

Lovely place everything is walking distance, coffee shops, souvenirs shops, restaurants and if your up for it a casino. It also is just across the road from the harbour flights, just a great location.

On a week of travel that brought me to Vancouver island for just 2 days, and only spent one night here. Thankfully I did not have to stay the week here. Smallest room I have ever been placed in. Perhaps it was just overly laid out with furniture. Nonetheless, I found myself feeling too cramped in this room. Almost no space to lay out my suitcase, so I just left the next morning in the same clothes I arrived with. For the few hours I did spend in the room, I had simply bought a microwave dinner on my way in. Had to go up one floor to use a common kitchen microwave. Although they do have a restaurant on site, I had travelled on an early east coast start from the east coast so by the time I arrived, I was too exhausted to go to the restaurant. It did not seem very busy when I checked in, and that was a red flag for me. A bored chef, or someone taking on multiple roles of server and cook? I wasn't interested. The parking was atrocious. Nowhere to park that made it easy to get in to the hotel. I had to walk around the block up an incline that made pushing my luggage a real chore. I really liked what I saw of Nanaimo, Parksville and Victoria and I want to go back, but I won't select this hotel.

Here for business. The Hotel is a bit older, but they've tried to modernize it somewhat. I stayed on the first floor and it was actually quite noisy. You can hear the people walking in the hallway, and you can hear the water running on the second floor... Also, the room was quite small and compact, and the bathtub didn't drain as efficiently... On a positive, the bed was comfortable and the wifi connection was fast enough to steam movies and TV shows.

Not directly on the water, but close enough to give some rooms a view. Best Western Dorchester Hotel is located in downtown Nanaimo, close to all the activities and a short walk away to get the boat to Newcastle Island. There is a dedicated free parking by the hotel. The parking issue was a large factor in not selecting Coast Hostels nearby. Our first visit was in 2010. Like the first time, our room was extremely comfortable. We really did not have a view this time. The room, though, had a separate living area with a couch, desk and TV. The bedroom was large, the bathroom was small, but doable. There was a refrigerator and coffee. The BW Dorchester met our needs. We did not take the breakfast selection. We did take use of the washer and dryer though. It was just a few minutes to walk to the harbor. We enjoyed hiking around beautiful Newcastle Island. If you have time, this state park is well worth the effort to explore. We also enjoyed the clams at the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub along the harbor. The Greek Restauant “Asteras” in the Old City Quarter is quite good also. If you found this review helpful in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.

Great staff and close to amenities! Nice view of the harbor from my room. I would like to go back for a personal stay to use the location for shopping, yoga, restaurants and to walk along the ocean. No need to drive, all with in walking distance.

The Dorchester Hotel is accross the road from the Nanaimo waterfront and we were fortunate enough to have a room with a lovely view. We arrived in the afternoon, so free hotel parking was available however the hotel lot is also a pay parking lot open to the public and we noticed in the evening that it was completely full.

Just a short note on this already well-reviewed hotel. The location is terrific, both for walking the waterfront, shops, and the Old City Quarter during the day, and sampling Nanaimo's restaurants and surprisingly active nightlife at night. The rooms are spotless and the staff are friendly and professional. Special thanks to Eli on the front desk and Allison in the dining room - both are treasures.

We were fortunate enough to have selected the BW Dorchester to host a special birthday reception. Nick, the Catering Manager, was stellar to deal with from the planning stages, to collaborating on menu and seating plan to the execution day off. The dining room space was elegant and airy and offered unobstructed ocean views, the service throughout the event was too notch, the food service was very good. I absolutely would recommend the Dorchester for a private leisure or business function!!

We booked a room here via Expedia, it didn't quite meet our expectations. The room we booked was supposed to have a queen sized bed in it - the bed is slightly bigger than a double, and not very comfortable. The toilet rocks from side to side when using it - it needs to be bolted down properly, and the bathroom sink is plugged up. The thing that really bugs me is the security deposit they take at check in, it's twice the amount of the room cost. I don't get this! I'm not going to use the mini bar, due to health reasons, and I'm just using the room to sleep for the night. While they remove the hold after you check out, it still takes over a week for the money to be returned to your credit card. The pluses to this hotel is the location. It's right across from the Bastion, overlooking the waterfront. On a nice day, you can go for a walk along the waterfront pathway. In the summertime, there are more boats docked at the marina, but the winter, only a few fishing boats. It's proximity to downtown, The Port Theatre, etc, is great. We were working a show at VIU, so this hotel was easy to get to. The room is a decent size for us, as we both need to set up our computers to work, plenty of room for that. Because we were limited for time and didn't want to drive around the city too much, we had dinner and breakfast at the restaurant. Both were really good, and, Wilma, our server, was a riot. Great customer service from her! After breakfast, we asked for a coffee in a 'to go' cup, to bring up to our room, she told us to just take the mugs from our table and leave them in the room when we go. She is a treasure that this hotel needs to keep. I would stay here again, due to the proximity of where it is to the places that we come here to work at. I just wish the security deposit wasn't double the room cost and that the toilet didn't move when used.

Although my stay was only 2 nights, I found this place to be quite a little gem located close to everything. Upon my arrival which was later in the evening due to travel delays, I was greeted by a friendly smile and great customer service. My room was already ready to go, so I asked if it was a harbor view (which I strongly recommend) as requested at time of booking and sadly it was not, however they did have an option available for me and I got my harbor view. I did not eat at the hotel so I cant comment on the food, however the cleanliness of the hotel was immaculate. I will definitely stay here again on my next visit.

Fantastic and friendly staff . Clean, quaint rooms overlooking the famous Nanaimo harbor and sea wall. Right down town , close to everything, Has that old time warmth's feel of belonging to something great. Where the staff is truly there to enhance your stay. When you leave ,you walk away feeling refreshed and relaxed knowing you can always come back to get away! The Best all around staff of all the different hotels I've stayed at in Nanaimo. To the staff, management and owners, well Done! And see you again soon!

This hotel is a smaller, intimate type of place, at least it feels that way. We have stayed there every year for the last 3 or 4 years for New Year's Eve with another couple. We find it much nicer than the huge, crazy busy hotels, the desk clerks make your experience so personal, we will continue to stay there and recommend it to others.

Rooms seemed clean however hardwood floor was noisy from other rooms above, cold to get up in morning. Did not encounter many staff, but desk staff were friendly, getting from parking lot wasn't great, stairs and suitcase don't work well

Excellent Rooms-Good Rate-Great Restaurant Felt like I had come home and I hadn't been to this hotel in years as my travel plans had changed. Very modern and very clean and well located in Nanaimo. Downtown!

Upon arrival at the hotel we were greeted with a cheerful and helpful desk person. We asked for and were given directions to our function which was not on the premises. Our room was at the temperature that we are comfortable in and set up just right. Our breakfast the next morning was a delight with our hostess and the food was excellent.