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Best Western Dorchester Hotel

2.5 star property
Hotel near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Best Western Dorchester Hotel

View from property
Lobby
Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View
3 restaurants; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch served
Exterior

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym

Explore the area

View in a map
70 Church St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R5H4
  • Place, Bastion
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Nanaimo Museum
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Old City Quarter
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome)
    ‪1 min walk‬

Room options

1 King Bed, Non-Smoking, Harbor View, Refrigerator, Wi-Fi

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Queen Room

Premium bedding, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

Queen Room with Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 4
  • Free WiFi

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

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

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

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(8 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbor View

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(10 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(33 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(17 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

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

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbor View

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(25 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

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

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

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

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Suite, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator (with Sofabed)

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

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

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

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

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

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the area

Nanaimo

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

What's nearby

  • Bastion - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Maffeo Sutton Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Casino Nanaimo - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Nanaimo Museum - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Old City Quarter - 6 min walk - 0.5 km

Getting around

  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Old City Station Pub - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Vault - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Noodlebox - ‬7 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
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Beauty salon
  • Onsite shopping
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Water dispenser
  • 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.

Similar properties

Exterior
Coast Bastion Hotel
Downtown Nanaimo
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,619 reviews
The price is CA $212
CA $246 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 28 - Jun 29
Coast Bastion Hotel

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 self parking
  • Onsite parking options include a carport

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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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, a fire extinguisher, 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, a fire extinguisher, 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

Frequently asked questions

How close is Best Western Dorchester Hotel to the airport?

Best Western Dorchester Hotel is 0.1 mi (1-min drive) away from the Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

As of Jun 3, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Best Western Dorchester Hotel on Jun 14, 2026 start from CA $178, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Best Western Dorchester Hotel.

How close is Best Western Dorchester Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is 3.8 mi (13-min drive) from Departure Bay Beach.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t offered at Best Western Dorchester Hotel, but cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for a fee of between CAD 10 and 22 for adults, CAD 10 and 22 for children. It's available every day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Is there a casino at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel, but Casino Nanaimo (6-min walk) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. A fee applies for early check-in.

Is there free parking at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel have a pool?

Best Western Dorchester Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel have a restaurant?

There are 3 onsite restaurants, offering options like ocean views and brunch.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Best Western Dorchester Hotel to downtown Nanaimo?

Best Western Dorchester Hotel is 0.2 mi away from Nanaimo.

Best Western Dorchester Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 456 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 326 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 137 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 48 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 33 out of 1000 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Kristi

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great location the staff was very nice
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alfred

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful hotel
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Kristi

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice, clean hotel in great location for downtown Nanaimo lax amenities… Coffee in the lobby would be nice
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leigh

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was lovely and a quiet getaway
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Hullo ferry shuttle stops at the hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great front desk person - very helpful and friendly. Will definitely stay here again when visiting Nanaimo.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness
The staff was very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Helena

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, friendly, great location. The restaurant off the lobby, Top Notch is really nice!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

George

The View restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely view from our room, room bright and very clean. Staff friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was comfortable and clean. Shower went cold fairly quick...but other than that was a great place to stay. Very friendly staff and perfect location for us.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jerri-Lynn

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The hotel staff was helpful and friendly!! The room was very clean as well. We had a great view of harbour. We will stay here again!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Sara

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was clean and our view was lovely. Helpful and kind staff. Top Notch Burger was delicious!!!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kabir

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was wonderful.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lakhvinder

Great location, lots of restaurants and shops all around as well as ocean view
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kaileigh

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
the room was nice and clean. had a comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Paulette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Conveniently located to our medical appointment. The View restaurant is fantastic
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephenie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall was a great stay. Beds were super comfortable. Pillows were great. Room was super clean. Rooms were very small but not a huge deal for what we needed the room for.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cora

Very comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and comfortable. It was too warm at night, and we didn't know where the thermostat was to turn down the heat, but other than that it was good.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Courteous and friendly staff, great location, clean, well kept.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Awesome place to stay as always
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Went for a few days out of town and stayed here, it was a calm, friendly environment. It was close to all amenities we were looking for around the city
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a terrific 3 night stay. I requested a room that did not have a connecting door. My room was so quiet. Double pane windows took care of any traffic noise from Front Street. My last stay at the Dorchester was 15 years ago. It has been very nicely renovated. Very friendly and helpful staff!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

maurice

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
everything from room to service to location is first rate. we will return.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025