Best Western Dorchester Hotel

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.

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.

Location was great, close to the ferry and the harbour view from our window was delightful. The room was clean and beds were comfortable. It was great to have a laundry room and kitchenette on the hallway even if we didn’t use them. We didn’t have a problem finding a parking spot in the hotels parking lot which was great. The restaurant in the hotel serves good food and has exceptional service. We love booking with BW.

The carpet in the hallways could use at least a deep cleaning, if not replace it all together as it doesn’t look very attractive.

Very comfortable stay, nice room with a view of the harbour etc. The girl on reception was really lovely and very helpful. Nanaimo, I'm sorry to say is not a very inspiring place, I suggest many were like us and just spending the night before or after a ferry crossing. However the BW Dorchester do their best to make things special and 'The View' restaurant is very good and there also a burger bar for something less formal. All round very good!

The parking is a bit tight, but I think space is at a premium in Nanaimo and the hotel give you a permit for your stay.

Very clean and quiet room, comfortable bed, nice little fridge and coffee maker, complementary coffee and in-room safe, huge TV, comfy sheets, no perfume/scent, very nice amenities - hand lotion that I could actually use without getting a rash (due to allergies). complementary parking was appreciated. Did not hear plumbing or shuffling noises from other rooms, although I was on the top floor (4th). Far enough above any road traffic. Dark curtains blocked the sun. Very quiet and efficient AC kept the room cool and air fresh.

I purchased a mug as I did not want coffee in a paper cup, also purchased cream as there was only non-dairy creamer. For the price, I feel those items should be available. There was a lot of door slamming noise all morning, as though doors were opening and closing with a breeze. Perhaps doors should not be left ajar when rooms are empty.

Take a room with a view of the harbour - it's beautiful. The staff are very helpful. Although the car park looks small at first, the hotel also uses the one next to it and you can also park in the public car park if these are full and the hotel will refund the cost. The restaurant serves excellent food. Being 90 minutes from Victoria and about the same to Campbell River and having a ferry to Vancouver and the sea planes on the doorstep, it's well positioned for exploring the island.

Nothing

Clean, quite and beautiful view. A lot of storage space, working table and chair. Separate air conditioning system to keep us warm or cold. The reception was great. They have been considerate of a request we made. Generally our family had a wonderful time. We will for sure come back again.

May be keep the hallways smell nicer (some of the floors smells nice though). The rooms are clean and smells healthy.

Our arrival at 11:00 pm was easy and the desk clerk was helpful and welcoming. We had flown from Reykjavik to Vancouver, then travelled by skytrain, bus, ferry to Nanaimo and taxi to the hotel: a very long day! The room was comfortable and the hotel was quiet, providing much-needed rest after an exhausting journey.

A noisy air conditioner/heat pump in the room and a noisy fan (connected to the light) in the bathroom.

The hotel covered my parking at a nearby parade. Restaurant inside. Paper map of how to get to the Departure Bay terminal as my GPS was not working. AC was appreciated.

I would have appreciated a better listings of which channels the hotel carried. Tv was difficult to navigate. Grab bars around the tub would have allowed me to use it. I did not trust my balance without the grab bars so did not bathe.

Friendly, helpful, and professional staff. Beautiful oceanview. Clean and comfy.

Breakfast would have been nice. Parking lot was sometimes full so we had to park in a parkade across the street but the hotel reimbursed the cost. It would also be really nice if there was a deck or patio higher up where you could sit outside and enjoy the view.

The location was fantastic, just across the street from the main boat docks, bastion and quaint downtown. The pace and style of the town was laid back and the locals enjoyed taking the time to stop and chat. The meals served at the popular hotel lounge and main restaurant were very good; but, reserve early, finding a table as a walk-in was difficult.

The hotel was older (but updated) with convoluted halls to our room. Not a problem, more just inconvenient for those less mobile. The hotel was short staffed so few cleaning staff throughout our short stay. This situation was not specific to the Dorchester and prevalent throughout the businesses of the entire area.