Best Western Dorchester Hotel

2.5 star property

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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
Suite, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View (with Sofabed) | Room amenity
Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View | View from room

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 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

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

Queen Room with Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 4

King Suite

  • Sleeps 4

Harbour View Room With Two Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4

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

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

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Refrigerator, Harbour View

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

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

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

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator

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

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Refrigerator, Harbour View

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

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

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

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

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

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About this property

Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Hotel in Nanaimo with 3 restaurants and fitness centre
Along with 3 restaurants, this smoke-free hotel has a fitness centre and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a conference centre, coffee/tea in a common area and a business centre.
Best Western Dorchester Hotel offers 71 accommodations with a safe and coffee/tea makers. This accommodation offers separate sitting areas. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and hairdryers.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness centre.

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

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Best Western Dorchester Hotel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Bastion. Features include free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus 3 restaurants. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the 3 restaurants
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Amenities include a front desk safe, a business centre and 5 meeting rooms
  • On-site recreation includes a gym
  • Guests have great things to say about the clean guestrooms and the helpful staff
  • Just a 5-minute drive from Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and 15 minutes from Duke Point Ferry Terminal
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
There are 3 restaurants on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Business amenities include a business centre and 5 meeting rooms.

WiFi is free in public spaces. Event space at this hotel measures 5000 square feet (465 square metres) and includes a conference centre. A fitness centre, a vending machine, and coffee/tea in 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.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Top Notch Burgers – This restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
The View Oceanside Grill – Overlooking the ocean, this restaurant only serves dinner. Reservations are required. Open daily.
Embers Wine & Charcuterie – On-site fine-dining restaurant. Open daily.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free 24-hour offsite parking within 30 metres
  • Street parking available
  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited on-site 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

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 centre
  • Conference centre (5,000 square foot 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.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift

More

  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Smoke-free property

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

Renovations and closures

The property will be renovating from 31 December 2025 to 22 January 2026 (completion date subject to change). The following areas are affected:
  • Selected guestrooms
Renovation work will only be conducted during working hours. Every effort will be made to minimise noise and disturbance.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: CAD 30 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 35 lb 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.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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-authorise 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)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children aged 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. 438 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 331 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 140 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 63 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1004 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

Lily

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gail

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location,free parking, easy access, efficient and helpful staff front and back.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Roman

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Clean room but noisy Restaurant “ The View “ was excellent, great staff and Very good food!!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Robyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking lot is also pay parking for community so may not get a parking spot.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lana

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Check in was super friendly and free parking was a bonus!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Peggy

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

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

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness
Rooms are renovated but old. Floor had a 2” slope up to bathroom and was quite small
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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