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Best Western Dorchester Hotel

2.5 star property
Hotel near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo

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Photo gallery for Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed)
Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed) | Room amenity
Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking (Living Room) | Room amenity
Lobby
Exterior

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
70 Church St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R5H4
  • Vancouver Island University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, desk

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(11 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator | View from room

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View | View from room

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(8 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Family Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed)

Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed) | View from room

Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Executive Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, desk

Executive Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, desk

Junior Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the area

Nanaimo

Heart of Nanaimo.Your stay at this hotel will put you steps from Bastion and a 5-minute walk from Vancouver Island Military Museum. Nanaimo Museum and Maffeo Sutton Park are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Nanaimo Museum - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Old City Quarter - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Vancouver Island University - 4 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Departure Bay Ferry Terminal - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal - 18 min drive - 18.4 km

Getting around

  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪White Sails Brewing - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Javawocky - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Vault Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Lighthouse Bar and Restaurant - ‬8 min walk

About this property

Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Hotel near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo
There are 3 restaurants on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Business amenities include a business center and 5 meeting rooms.

WiFi is free in public spaces. Event space at this hotel measures 5000 square feet (465 square meters) and includes a conference center. A fitness center, a vending machine, and coffee/tea in a common area are also featured at the business-friendly Best Western Dorchester Hotel. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This Nanaimo hotel is smoke free.

  • 71 guestrooms or units
  • 3 dining venues
  • 5000 sq ft of conference space
  • 465 sq m of conference space
  • Conference center
  • Business facilities
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Beauty salon
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Onsite shopping
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
Best Western Dorchester Hotel offers 71 accommodations with safes and coffee/tea makers. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Languages

English

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini-fridge

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free 24-hour offsite parking
  • Street parking available
  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited onsite parking

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: CAD 10 to 22 for adults and CAD 10 to 22 for children
  • 3 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Designer stores
  • Gym
  • Shopping
  • Wine tours

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium channels

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 19

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: CAD 30 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 35 lbs per pet)
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately CAD 10 to 22 for adults, and CAD 10 to 22 for children
  • Pet fee: CAD 30 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of We Care Clean (Best Western)
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Cash is not accepted. This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in each accommodation. This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of We Care Clean (Best Western).

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Best Western Dorchester
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
Best Western Hotel Dorchester
Best Western Plus Dorchester
Best Western Plus Dorchester Hotel
Best Western Plus Dorchester Hotel Nanaimo
Best Western Plus Dorchester Nanaimo
Dorchester Best Western
Best Western Dorchester Hotel Nanaimo
Best Western Dorchester Nanaimo
Best Western Nanaimo
Nanaimo Best Western
Best Dorchester Hotel Nanaimo
Best Western Dorchester Hotel Hotel
Best Western Dorchester Hotel Nanaimo
Best Western Dorchester Hotel Hotel Nanaimo

Best Western Dorchester Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 416 out of 1008 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 358 out of 1008 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 129 out of 1008 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 70 out of 1008 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 35 out of 1008 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Vickie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was a good stay
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Michelle, Petrolia

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roderick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Central location and walkable to venue we were attending. Parking not an issue.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Ma. Katrina Gracia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hullo bus shuttle is right across the hotel. Convenient and walkable.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Eileen

Liked: Cleanliness
Hotel was very clean, but my room was quite small, especially the bathroom. Parking was limited to a very small parking lot adjacent to the hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chloe

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the front desk and the restaurants have such nice people! the hotel is what you would expect for it's age but it's well kept and was ready for us when we got here. close to everything. parking is tight and limited
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Expected better for the price

We were situated on the 4th floor. The floors are uneven, so much so that the toilet is noticably on an angle, as was the bed. The bed was uncomfortable and more so because it was on an angle. The normal housekeeping stuff was clean, but the window frames had black mold on them. The bath tub clearly had a cheap drop in liner that moved when you stood in it. The terrifying part was the lack of restrictors on the windows, 4 floors up and the kids can just slide the windows wide open with nothing to stop them from falling out. By code there should be a window restrictor. The layout of the "family suite" is also bizarre. The seperate room that you would pressume would be to seperate parents from the kids had both queen beds in it and the only access to the washroom. Not privacy friendly at all. Parking is also a nightmare. If you have an large SUV or truck you might consider staying somewhere else.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Howard

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a good one night stay here. Staff at the front desk and restaurant were excellent. So helpful and friendly. We were upgraded to a one bedroom suite and it was super comfortable and spacious. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Washington

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Kerri

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not clean

Stains on the bedding Ants in the bath tub Fridge barely worked Wall paper peeling off the bedroom door
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Paulette

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We've stayed here many times. I was disappointed to see that they have taken all the alarm clocks out of the rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Andrena, Delta

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking difficult
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Brooke

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Lindsey

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Bestwestern hotels are a great deal

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelly

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stevie

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Long stairway up to lobby. Staff carried our luggage up but it was very inconvenient to get to parking. We left to go out to dinner and there was no parking available. I phoned the hotel and they gave me directions to another parking lot which turned out to be several blocks away. We are elderly and this was without a doubt the worst parking situation I have encountered. It was pouring rain and very dark. When we checked in originally we had to pay another $15 because we were 2 hours early. Is this a common practice? Nice room but I will not stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Hollie

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Lorne

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, helpful staff, comfy bed… but, the downside is that the heating/cooling units have very loud fans. We turned ours off, but could still hear the room bellow’s fan. Would recommend the Dorchester for a stay in Nanaimo (very close to the Nanaimo Riviera), just beware of noise issues.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danilo

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Jessica

The staff was quite rude when asked. Called the front desk and sat in hold for 5 minutes. When asked for late checkout was told to ask in the morning and was told in the morning no. I requested it prior to arriving as well.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025