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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

3 restaurants, breakfast served
Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbor View | View from room
Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking (Living Room) | Room amenity
Exterior
Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbor View (with Sofabed) | Room amenity

Reviews

8.2 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 (YCD)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

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

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Queen Room

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

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

Queen Room with Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 4

King Suite

  • Sleeps 4

Harbour View Room With Two Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4

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

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

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

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed

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

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

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbor View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(23 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
(15 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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

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

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbor View

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

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

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

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

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

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

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds

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

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

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

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

  • Sleeps 4

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

  • Sleeps 4

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

  • Sleeps 4

Guest Room With 2 Double Beds, Non-Smoking, Harbour View, Refrigerator And Wi-Fi

  • Sleeps 4

2 Double Beds, Non-Smoking, Refrigerator, Wi-Fi

  • Sleeps 4

Two Double Bed Suite

  • Sleeps 6

Premium Queen Suite with Harbor View

  • Sleeps 4

About the neighborhood

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

  • Bastion - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Casino Nanaimo - 6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Nanaimo Museum - 6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Old City Quarter - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Vancouver Island University - 4 min drive - 1.7 miles

Getting around

  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Red’s Bakery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Brix & Mortar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Old City Station Pub - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Mrs. Riches - ‬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
  • 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

Room, 1 King Bed, Harbor View (Coast Premium King with Ocean View) | Room amenity
Coast Bastion Hotel
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,500 reviews
$124 nightly
The price is $144
Jan 4 - Jan 5, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
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 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

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 Dec 28, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Best Western Dorchester Hotel on Jan 6, 2026 start from $86.42, 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

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 437 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 330 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 140 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 63 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1002 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

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff was friendly, location is great at the waters edge with a nice park to walk around. The float planes come and go from there so the hotel has great views.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gail

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location. I thought rooms would have been a bit bigger. Bathroom in our two queen bed room with pull out couch very small for 3 people. Not enough counter space. You could hear people above so be sure to book in top floor and no microwave. Beds were comfy nice size tv.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jesse

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

robert

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Brennen

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Well-situated in the centre of town, lots of cute shops and eating places within a few minutes and some in the hotel itself. We have to wait about 10 mins at check in as there was nobody at the front desk and no other staff around. Bathroom in standard suite needed maintenance and the floor was muddy. If I had been staying more than one night I would have had to change rooms as I couldn't take a shower.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ted

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Leanne

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

8/10 Good

john

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

1 week stay in Nanaimo bc

the stay was good the staff were very friendly and helpful the biggest problem was the fact that i booked on-line with what was supposed to be the hotel site only to be informed at check in that it was booked through Expedia which i didn`t i think Expedia hijacked my booking which should be illegal is there a way for the Hotel to block them from doing so ? we didn`t get the ocean view room that we wanted ,street side was a little noisy at times, the Hotel manager was very helpful in compensating us for this inconvenience, Thank you, John Leese
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is great right on the harbour front.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were A-one. Went above and beyond in service. Would definitely recommend staying at BW Dorchester .
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
N/a
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Tracey

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort

No hot water

Hotel is old with alot of character however no hot water at all. When i mentioned it at checkout the only response was the breaker had beem off and was back on and water would be warm soon. That didn't help us as we had to check out to catch a ferry. No apology or compensation of any sort. This was not a cheap hotel and therefore will not stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tony

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thank you in particular to Adam in the restaurant who mentioned stopping off in Coombs . . we saw the Goats on the Roof !
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Paul

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is past its best by a number of years. Furniture is ready for the skip, maintenance isn’t a good as new approach, and we were issued a room when checking in late in the evening, tired and ready for bed and only when it was too late we realised the air conditioning was faulty in an already very smaller than average hotel room, stay in any of the other hotels near here as we have before and it’s chalk and cheese. Best western didn’t even respond to my messages raising the issue with them.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachary

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

10/10 Excellent

shane, Mississauga

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Old with a great location

The hotel offers a seamless check-in process and boasts a fantastic location, along with being nicely updated. However, due to the building's age, there is a noticeable slant of a few inches in the family suite. This can impact the balance of elderly parents, which became a concern during our stay. Within just a few hours, we received a noise complaint because of their difficulty in moving about.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Pros: Best night's sleep I ever had in a hotel. SUPER quiet. Didnt hear anything all night, wasnt woken up by the AC nor the refrigerator, as is usually the case in hotels! Bed was quite comfortable as well. View was absolutely beautiful. Staff was friendly. Even though we had to evacuate because someone pulled a fire alarm one morning, it was still one of the best hotels I've stayed in Cons: parking is on another street. No cold drinks (drinks are in same vending machine aa chips)
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

geraldine

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

8/10 Good

Valerie

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ishita

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were very clean and very ideal location to walk around the town centre
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025