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Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

1.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

Front of property – evening/night
Reception hall
Full-sized fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets
Water view

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services

Explore the area

View in a map
121 Bastion St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 3A2
  • Place, Bastion
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Nanaimo Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Old City Quarter
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome)
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Men only, Shared Bath

Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Men only, Shared Bath

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • Partial sea view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only, Shared Bath

Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Women only, Shared Bath

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(6 reviews)
  • Partial ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

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About this property

Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

Hostel with free parking, steps from Bastion
This hostel features a bar/lounge, coffee/tea in a common area and a meeting room. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, laundry facilities and a library are on-site. Private bathrooms are not en suite and housekeeping is available on request.
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) offers 24 accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and rice cookers. Beds feature premium bedding. Full-sized fridge/freezers and microwaves are provided.

Rooms have detached private bathrooms. Bathrooms include a shower. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on request.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
During your stay at Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel), you're just a quick walk from Bastion. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus a bar.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge
  • Services include a concierge, tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes bicycles to rent
  • Steps from Bastion and Nanaimo Museum
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) offers its guests a library, tour/ticket assistance, and coffee/tea in common area. Public spaces have free WiFi. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) also features concierge services and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Nanaimo hostel.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Ecotours
  • Library

Family friendly

  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting room

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • 8 detached private bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Free bottled water
  • Freezer
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Rice cooker
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Toaster

More

  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee for check-in between midnight and 2:00 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children 10 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for CAD 10.0 per stay.
  • 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.

  • Late check-in fee for check-in between midnight and 2:00 AM
  • Rollaway bed fee: CAD 10.0 per stay

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
Only bookings from non-local guests are accepted; guests whose residence is within 16 mi (25 km) of the property will not be allowed to check in
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
The front desk at this property is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Guests arriving after 8:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. The credit card used when booking the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo ID. Other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival.

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children aged 10 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

Property is also known as

Painted Turtle Guesthouse Hostel Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse Hostel
Painted Turtle Guesthouse Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Painted Turtle Hostel Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) Nanaimo

Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 261 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 90 out of 261 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 36 out of 261 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 261 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 29 out of 261 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Tanya

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Eleanor

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Felt like staying at a youth hostel, brought back great memories! Huge common room with cooking area. Lots of private bathroom/showers. Found an excellent Mexican restaurant Gina’s walking distance. Close to ferry.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen, VANCOUVER

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, let me check in early. Great location, could use ac, and an in house coffee service, even if i had to pay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Doug

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Melissa

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margareta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Comfortable bed and cosy warm bedding. Older but very clean facility. Well equipped communal kitchen with pleasant dining room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Olive

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a disappointing experience during our stay. The room had a strong, unpleasant smell.The beddings were also in poor condition — they looked old, felt dirty, and had a noticeable odor The towels provided were dirty—one even had blood and a hole in it, which was unacceptable. Overall, the cleanliness and condition of the room were poor. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel for families. It would be better if the air conditioning or ventilation was improved.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Staff & service
I think this is a great little place if you wanna stay a couple nights in Nanaimo, but don’t want to pay the big hotel prices. I was accommodated for late check-in, which was very nice and I was even able to self check out. A parking area is right next to the hostel which is great. This hostel has everything you need to get by however, some of the amenities were out of service such as the oven and microwave when I was staying. There was also a door lock that was out of service, but you can make deal with the inconvenience. I’d suggest coming here if you are okay with being flexible and are not planning on staying inside most the day. Would come back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Economical. Clean. Spacious common area with comfortable furniture, tables, chairs, large communal kitchen, refrigerators, tea and coffee in the morning. Lots of books to read. Probably the nicest hostel I have ever stayed at. I felt safe and comfortable in this hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Joash

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

8/10 Good

ANGEL DANIEL

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Personal amable, especialmente Jonathan y el host. El cuarto estaba limpio pero el tapete se notaba sucio
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darcie

Liked: Amenities
I lucked out during my stay since the roads around the Painted Turtle were closed due to construction. Arrive after 4:30pm and no noise! Oh and the industrial size fan in my shared room was the best surprise EVER!!! :)
Shared room with two bunk beds
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nanoha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vivian

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

10/10 Excellent

Saied

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location reasonable pricing clean
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keisha

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina, Port McNeill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very kind and accommodating. The bed was very clean and comfortable. I had wonderful roommates and the main area kitchen was user friendly and the people were very nice. Mu new Nanaimo place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jon

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina, Port McNeill

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

2/10 Terrible

Juhyun

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Vincent

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service

I would stay again

Not a bad hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hyunjeong

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
quiet and clean place
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025