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Best Western Dorchester Hotel

2.5 star property
Hotel in Nanaimo with 3 restaurants and a fitness center

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Photo gallery for Best Western Dorchester Hotel

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

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
70 Church St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R5H4
  • Place, Old City Quarter
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Duke Point Ferry Terminal
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Airport, Nanaimo, BC (YCD)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Room options

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

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(20 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
(16 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)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 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

About the neighborhood

Nanaimo

Best Western Dorchester Hotel places you next to Bastion and within a 5-minute walk of Vancouver Island Military Museum. This 71-room hotel has 3 restaurants along with conveniences like free in-room WiFi and free self parking.

What's nearby

  • 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
  • Departure Bay Ferry Terminal - 5 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal - 18 min drive - 11.5 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
  • ‪The Nanaimo Bar - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Flamez - ‬5 min walk

About this property

Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Hotel in Nanaimo with 3 restaurants and a fitness center
Guests of Best Western Dorchester Hotel enjoy a gym, free WiFi in public areas, and a conference center. Free parking is included with your stay. The 24-hour front desk has staff standing by to help with luggage storage and securing valuables. If you like to take your furry friend along on your adventures, this pet-friendly property offers food and water bowls. Additional amenities include a business center, coffee/tea in a common area, and laundry facilities.
Guests can expect to find free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. Beds sport premium bedding and bathrooms offer hair dryers. Sitting areas, coffee makers, and free local calls are other standard amenities.
Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

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
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,431 reviews
$131 nightly
The price is $152
Oct 31 - Nov 1
Total with taxes and fees
Coast Bastion Hotel

Property amenities

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
  • 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

Restaurants on site

  • Embers Wine & Charcuterie
  • The View Oceanside Grill
  • Top Notch Burgers

Things to do

  • Designer stores
  • Gym
  • Shopping
  • Wine tours

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini-fridge

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • 5 meeting rooms
  • Business center
  • Conference center (5,000 square feet of space)

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

More

  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium channels

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

  • This property welcomes pets for CAD 30 per pet, per night
  • Dogs and cats only
  • 2 total (35 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
  • Pets may not be left unsupervised
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • Guests can request a pet-friendly room by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Up to 2 kids 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

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

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)
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM—-midnight
  • Check-out: 11 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 19
The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • 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.
  • Onsite safety features 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).

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

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

What is there to do within easy reach of Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

Guests positively rate the hotel's walkable location in Nanaimo, just steps from Bastion, and within a 10-minute walk of Nanaimo Museum and Maffeo Sutton Park. You'll also find Casino Nanaimo and Old City Quarter less than a mile away.

Will I be able to park at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

Yes, uncovered self parking is offered for free at the hotel.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel include a casino on the premises?

No, Best Western Dorchester Hotel doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

What amenities will couples enjoy at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

There are plenty of amenities for couples at this hotel, including a bar, an ocean-view restaurant, and public winery tours.

Are there hot tubs at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this hotel.

Does Best Western Dorchester Hotel feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

Yes, Best Western Dorchester Hotel has 3 restaurants, and serves a cooked-to-order breakfast each morning for a surcharge.

Will Best Western Dorchester Hotel allow pets to stay free of charge?

Although they can't stay for free, cats and dogs are welcome at Best Western Dorchester Hotel for a fee of CAD 30 per pet, per night. The property also provides food and water bowls.

Are there connecting rooms at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How far is the airport from Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

The closest major airport to Best Western Dorchester Hotel is Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome), which is within a mile. Another top airport is Nanaimo, BC (YCD), which is located 8.7 mi away (13-minute drive).

Are there rooms with balconies at Best Western Dorchester Hotel?

No, you won't find guestrooms with balconies at Best Western Dorchester Hotel.

Reviews

Best Western Dorchester Hotel Reviews

8.2

Very Good

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 432 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 335 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 140 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 63 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 36 out of 1006 reviews

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Zack

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
First room the fridge was leaking all over the floor , brown goo . And the hall and room smelled horribly like pee and the toilet was covered in pee stains . They moved our room after we complained and the new room was cleaner but noticed there was blood stains on the blankets . Never going back
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Janice

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Alanna

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Barry

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean. The parking was limited because the hotel is downtown.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Less than stellar!

Toilet wouldn’t flush, bathroom door didn’t lock, air conditioner did not keep the room cool, hallway stunk.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin

Staff was excellent. Room clean. Restaurant had great options. Perfect stay for our family. We appreciated the access to laundry as well as the 3rd floor deck. Thank you , especially, to Hayden.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Dominic

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
(like) cozy and clean room (like) nice harbour view from the room (like) friendly staff (don't like) the washroom door lock would not function properly
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

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

Central with lots nearby !

Great location with access to many restaurants and local interest spots. Staff was incredibly helpful and very welcoming. Room was very comfortable with lovely light decor - very airy and inviting! Took advantage of the guest laundry as we have been travelling for many days - they only have one washer & dryer unit and to purchase products need to go to a vending machine down the hall. Aside from this would recommend as an option for anyone looking to be central.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

One night stay

One night stay waiting for a ferry, quiet comfortably clean what is more is there to say and free parking. I would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shelli

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel. Lovely staff, nice area, great restaurant options close by. We will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

PAM, Vancouver

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For a 24 hour sojourn in Nanaimo (from Vancouver) the Dorchester provided ideal accommodation in terms of location, safety (women alone), and amenities.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Farzaneh

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Scott

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The veiw of my second nights room was nice
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jai Joydeep

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very well located. Clean and updated.
Good value. Great location.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Julie

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

sunjev

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Justin

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wasnt to happy with my stay. Staff was very nice. Room was okay. For me it was bugs. I found many beetles in the room as well as sprider webs with spiders in the the shower. Not fun finding big spiders while in a vulnerable state just getting into the shower..
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

William, Kamloops

Traveled with partner, Traveled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The hotel has a great location for people attending conferences at VICC or even if you want to spend some time exploring the city. It is close to the marina and B.C. Ferries docks. The restaurants in and around the hotel are quite good. The hotel itself is in average condition my room was clean and had some upgrades but the bathrooms are small and the fan drove us crazy as the motor was failing. It’s dog friendly just make sure you inform them ahead of time to ensure they have a pet room
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff at check-in were very prompt and friendly. They were very helpful. Rooms were very bright and clean We had a super view of the ocean
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had the harbour view that was nice. Weird that there were no screens on the big windows. They opened wide and someone could fall out. The toilet ran on its own at times and for a long time when flushed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

JIAYAN

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

10/10 Excellent

S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Glyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Construction on road around area.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025