Name: Departure Bay Motel
Address: 2011 Estevan Rd, Nanaimo, V9S 3Y9, CA

4/10

Poor

16 Jul 2026

Rachel

Obviously reviews are filtered and not very accurate. Convenient location and the exterior of the property was inviting. The room was filthy, probably change the sheets and towels but that is it. Place needs a serious overhaul.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2026

Tina

Older but very clean and quiet.
Very friendly.
Central location

Self

4/10

Poor

14 Jul 2026

Gary

Old and beat up.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2026

Henry

The property is old. But the staff has done a great job at keeping it clean and refurbishing it, as well as laying a little conveniences like chairs right outside of your room.- love the place.

Self

4/10

Poor

10 Jul 2026

Jason

Upon arrival, I found the room was a bit run-down in my opinion. Also, the toiletries provided had not been stocked properly. The kitchenette they advertise is two burners built into the countertop with a very small bar fridge. The mattress on the bed was lumpy and hard. The staff was very friendly and willing to correct any issues I just found it not a very good stay all in all.

Self

4/10

Poor

10 Jul 2026

Cristina

Most hard and uncomfortable mattress I’ve slept on in years. Toilet didn’t flush properly. Lots of road noise. I’ll skip staying here next time.

Self

4/10

Poor

08 Jul 2026

Alexander

When we first arrived we got a terrible room, it was filthy and not at all like pictures uploaded online, my husband and I considered not staying at all as it was so terrible. We were moved to another room which was much smaller but noticeably cleaner and renovated to look a little bit more presentable. Still nothing too exciting and the other room had already put a bad taste in our mouth. We ended up staying and it was okay for the nights we were there but just based on the false advertising on photos and the lack of cleanliness of the other room I wouldn’t ever book again. The staff were friendly and accommodating to switching rooms as we had planned on not staying at all but even the difference of quality of rooms is a concern honestly. Would not recommend for your stay in Nanaimo.

Pet

6/10

Pleasant

07 Jul 2026

Laura

The room was small, the bathtub area had a lot of mould and mildew on the wall, there was no cream or coffee mate for the coffee.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2026

Ruth

Very friendly staff

8/10

Excellent

06 Jul 2026

Mia

It worked for a quick stay!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2026

zahir

Helpful staff,
Coffee in lobby. Good location

Partner

4/10

Poor

04 Jul 2026

Allison

The room was ok but the bathroom was pretty bad and should be gutted. Too much mold and staining around the shower. Ok price and I appreciate that it was pet friendly.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

04 Jul 2026

Arlene

Put some air freshener, no paper towel

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2026

Csaba

Nice and clean property.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Jul 2026

YING LING

The location is perfect and the staff is very friendly.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

03 Jul 2026

Stephen

When we got there, the lobby was not staffed, so we needed to pick up a phone, which notified them that we were there. About 5 minutes later, they arrived to check us in. Room was clean and worked for an overnight stay before moving on to our next destination.

Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Jul 2026

Ashley

The staff has been very welcoming both times that I've stayed. The beds and rooms were comfortable and clean.
Great location when coming off or going on the ferry, but also some traffic noise because of the location.

Pet

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jul 2026

wesley

We checked in and went out for awhile.Came back and door was wide open a couple standing in our room.They had rented our room to someone else while we were out.Not impressed all of our things were in there

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jun 2026

Greg

Tim Hortons was closed as was mcdonalds when we got up, that was not a good thing, not hotels fault of course, the lady at the counter was awsome, even came out to check out the puppies, lol

Pet

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2026

mike

Had a great time!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2026

Kimberly

Clean and comfortable
Great value

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Jun 2026

Heather

An older motel but well kept. Lovely staff. Walls are a little thin but it didn't affect my stay nor my sleep. I'd stay there again.

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jun 2026

Matthew

This was a stay for my husband to break up his motorcycle trip from Alberta to Ucluelet.
Nothing to rave about, a bed to sleep on. No breakfast included.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2026

Mary

We were only there overnight.
Property is old needs some maintenance (screens would be appreciated and a stool or small chair) but we were fine. Get what you pay for. We're happy.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Jun 2026

Mahtab

Very friendly and kind staff.
Keep in mind you get what you pay for. The room was old looking, but it was clean. The cars passing on the highway might keep you up at night. Good thing about the location is that it's very close to the departure bay ferry point. Overall, it was fine for me as I just needed a cheap room to crash for two nights! :)

Self

2/10

Poor

22 Jun 2026

Jennifer

Arrived for 4pm checkin and room was not ready. Cleaner had not started our room yet as I was told they arrived late that day. Had to wait or come back later for room to be ready. Booked for 5 nights but room was so tiny and dresser was in the way that it was very hard for my disabled mom to get around the room. Toilet seat was also very low. Ended up checking out after two nights because of the room condition. Was still charged full price for 5 days even though room was not ready upon checkin time and we only stayed 2 nights. Was told the manager would call to issue a refund however no such call came after a week and full charges remain on my credit card. Would not stay here again.

2/10

Poor

21 Jun 2026

Joanne

No kitchen, no face towels, no hairdryer, one plug which was hard to find for device charging. curtains we small for the window

Very poor water as it had a funky taste like old pipes.
Noisy

Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jun 2026

Joseph

Loved the in-house, secure laundry area.
The Staff was amazing and helpful with any of my questions.
I would definitely stay here again !

Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Jun 2026

Karyn

The floor could have been cleaner. Other than that, this is the perfect place to stay when yku need to catch a morning ferry.

Family

4/10

Poor

19 Jun 2026

Mark

Will not stay there again. Old motel, large pothole in parking lot -not marked, room was renovated to look clean and fresh,old stove, cupboards looked well worn, cord for microwave (which was on top fridge) was along the wall up and cross the counter to the plug in, could not get the tv to work on cable -only option was youtube, bedroom smelt like dirty cloth diapers. Tried to sleep with the window open due to smell in bedroom, noisy due to highway, homeless person yelling in the middle of the night for someone to help him as he needed another hit.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Jun 2026

Sherry

Close to Nanimo Ferry. Really comfy bed. Bedroom seperate from living room was nice as my husband and I rarely go to bed at the same time. Walking distance to Tim Hortons and Safe on Foods.

Cons, not that clean, dog food under edge of fridge. Not very nice bathroom. Very dated furniture. Would not use stove did not look safe. In the morning we were facing North East so it was so bright in the morning as curtains not big enough to cover whole window.

Ok for only 1 night.

Pet

8/10

Excellent

18 Jun 2026

Jordan

My room was nothing fancy and a little tired out but the price was right, it was clean, and the bed and sheets and pillows were comfortable. Perfect place for a rest day on a long bikepacking trip through the area. Lots of space for my bicycle in the room. Microwave and fridge in the room were useful. Easy walk to nearby grocery store, easy access to bike paths and TCT.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2026

Jamie

Very clean room very nice staff all around a great experience

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jun 2026

Heather

The room was clean and the staff was helpful. Unfortunately when I went to strip the bed for the housekeeper at checkout there was an old blood stain on the mattress.
Because of this I am disgusted and won’t be staying again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Jun 2026

Jordan

Lovely stay at this mid-century motel. I love places like this, there is no muss and no fuss. Everything worked as it should. The motel is a little aged, but that added to the charm. It is fairly well kept up, and the check-in was fast and friendly. I would stay here again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2026

Natasha

Great staff.. nice rooms👍. Will stay again!!

Partner

4/10

Poor

11 Jun 2026

Janice

Needs to be modernized

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2026

Amy

Fantastic staff, great little motel.

Pet

4/10

Poor

10 Jun 2026

Shauna

I would request that they get new curtains for room 26 and seal the bottom of the door.

4/10

Poor

09 Jun 2026

Helen

The whole room was very small. The bathroom was very dated, there were no flannels provided,only one hand towel. The hand basin was marked and scratched in the basin. The shower poured out water into the bath as well as the shower head. It was ver noisy from vehicle traffic.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jun 2026

Monique

Clean room better

6/10

Pleasant

04 Jun 2026

William

Hard to find lobby at nighttime.
Liked the location close to the ferry.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Jun 2026

David

Great location, helpful staff, competitive price

Self

4/10

Poor

02 Jun 2026

Daniel

Pretty basic. Needs a major update

Self

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2026

Sterling

Affordable stay, friendly staff, and the room was clean.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2026

Lisa M

Clean, great staff, easy parking, value for money. I’d stay again.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

26 May 2026

Jeannie

good location and great staff, but not very clean.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Mariusz

Everything was to the standard of a by road motel. Very clean bedding and towels. Big shower stall. Overall comfortable place for a night and close to the ferry terminal.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

24 May 2026

ROBERT

There was traffic noise all night, plus two girls talking for half an hour directly outside our window at 3 AM. There are lots of rooms well away from traffic, use those first!

Partner

2/10

Poor

22 May 2026

Arianne

I’ve never written a review until now. This place was filthy. Immediately upon walking in, clumps of hair all over the floor, mysterious splatters on walls and doors, the bathroom felt more unclean than your average public restroom. If you stay here, bring shower shoes.

We checked out and last minute booked a room elsewhere. The photos online did NOT represent the room we were given in the slightest. Curtain also has mysterious black colouring that the other rooms didn’t have.

It really just felt like they restocked the soap and towels and sprayed the room with febreeze.

Other than that, the woman at the front desk was kind and check in was easy.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

22 May 2026

Margaret

Liked that it was a central point within the town

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 May 2026

Anthony

Clean room
Parking was good

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2026

Kristen

Staff was incredibly kind and helpful. We received a complimentary upgrade which was lovely for our simple night away. Property is older but decently cared for. We felt comfortable and safe. Enjoyed free mini golf in parksville too! This was a surprise. Would stay here again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2026

Arceleah

The room is nice and clean, with a kitchenette. What’s even better is that it’s only a 4-minute drive from the ferry terminal.

Self

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2026

Alwin

Everything was good except the sofabed.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2026

Edgar

Nice little hotel very clean. No hairdryer in the room which was an inconvenience but other than that, it was great.

Partner

4/10

Poor

17 May 2026

Maureen

Our room was nothing like the photos on their website. Super rundown and shabby. Shredding towels and bathmat, chipped sink and counters. Pealing floor. Stained and drooping ceiling tiles. Lumpy bed small tv. Fridge was fine. Would not recommend. In dire need of renovation. Very disappointed

Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 May 2026

Christopher

Was jice space couche andnpull out bed were loud and wasnt a spare blanket etc

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2026

Madison

Excellent stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2026

Ashrith

Clean room, great for a night of stay!

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2026

Paul

Great location and value

Self

6/10

Pleasant

30 Apr 2026

Geoff

It's okay Hotel close to the farries

Self

6/10

Pleasant

30 Apr 2026

Dolly

Location good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2026

Navjot

Every thing was good

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2026

Elaine

The building is upgraded but older. There was a bit of a smell but not bad. Bed was very good and there was a full kitchen.

Partner

4/10

Poor

17 Apr 2026

Colleen

No wifi access - no drinking water -
Furniture was all beat up - bathroom sink and tub was worn and grungy. Outside the room the property was messy with dead leaves etc. no view at all.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2026

Tyler

Everything was above par and very relaxing

Self

6/10

Pleasant

07 Apr 2026

Andrea

The motel needs updating. The rooms could be cleaned alot more. Bathrooms especially. Baseboards were dirty, clogged sink, which they were going to look into but we were gone by the time they probably looked. Could use some newer nightstands. Very old. Just needs some paint and lots of cleaning and maybe fixing bathroom flooring. The shower and bathtub were nice though. Very nice front desk ladies. All I can say is that it was place to lay my head and that's it. I hate giving poor reviews but i needed to say something.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2026

lee

Front desk staff was very polite and welcoming, clean , grocery and food places near by . Definitely recommend for the stay and price was great as well.

Partner

4/10

Poor

31 Mar 2026

Don

We didn't stay there. The room we were to check-in to all ready had someone else in it.lots of confusion. We went elsewhere.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Mar 2026

Sentoso

Kitchen is fully equipped, parking is safe.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Josephine

I checked in with Tracy. She was very friendly and made me feel welcome. I had a comfortable stay. I will stay here again. Great value!

Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Mar 2026

Traci

The good: The staff was super friendly and helpful. The bed was comfy though the bedding was super thin and threadbare.

The bad: the room was not clean. There was hair, dried soap drips and a ring in the bathtub, the tv screen was smeared with some kind of grease and the floors were gritty.

The ugly: the mattress slid off the frame when we put my small suitcase on it, requiring us to pull the bed away from the wall to put it all back together. The wall behibd/under the headboard was DISGUSTING. There was a long hole in the wall where there should have been baseboard, and the stuff in that hole was the stuff nightmares are made of. 😳

Partner

2/10

Poor

09 Mar 2026

Tina Marie

I ay have brought a bed bug home. I am so lucky I can smell them. I was in my bathroom. I was standing on the counter working on the lighting. I kept smelling them. I checked the wall. I checked the lights. It was on my arm. Since then, every day has been washing clith items (fun fact: I have 8 extra large bags of cloth items in my home, plus two foamies, 2 sets of pj\"s plus

6/10

Pleasant

09 Mar 2026

Leona

It was just ok. It was clean and the bed was pretty good.The security lock didnt work.

Self

4/10

Poor

01 Mar 2026

John

Rooms are run down and not clean floors. Staff would not accommodate us with a kitchen unit, which was available but remained empty, as our neohew that didn't request one, got it the next day.
All rooms are quite in need of repairs. Our family stay require 5 rooms, beds were fine, but kitchen unit was very lacking. 3 fridges and no toaster, kettle or coffee pot. No kitchen garbage.
Staff did not go out of their way even fir that.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Feb 2026

Teresa

Last time was good unable to get tv on , young man tried many times, lamps at bedside didn’t work even though I tried replugging in, he did bring me an extra blanket , just hit a bad night for cable not working

Self

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2026

Christopher

Amenities and location

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2026

William

Rooms were spotless, staff were very cordial.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2026

Tyler

Had everything we needed. Friendly check in too

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2026

David

Good, basic value.

Self

8/10

Excellent

19 Feb 2026

Reynaldo Cabrera

Easy check in process

Self

6/10

Pleasant

13 Feb 2026

Bob

it was good and the price was right.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2026

Sanjeev

Clean room and bed, great staff. Had a late night flight in that got delayed, the recpetionist waited until 1:30 am to get me checked in.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2026

William C

Yes to both

8/10

Excellent

09 Feb 2026

Bob

The shower was noy working properly. Reported the sitution to management.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Feb 2026

Darcy

Spotless room - fantastic front desk staff

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Alex

Phenomenal customer service

Business

8/10

Excellent

04 Feb 2026

Teresa

Convenient area for the ferry, room had large area bedroom and living room area , access to internet and tv bed comfortable

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Cylvia

As always the Motel was clean, quiet, and the staff was professional and knowledgeable.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Darby

Staff is nice rooms clean and renovated

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

fizan

Amazing place and staff

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2026

JADE

Polite staff, very helpful and friendly! Great location, walking distance to many options.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

22 Jan 2026

Helen

Paul was great at check in, however, the room was in need of a proper cleaning. There is no pride showing in the care of this property.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Jan 2026

Laura

As a woman alone. Area does feel safe. I come here often. Staff is great. I like family run bussinesses. Parkng is right out front of the door.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jan 2026

frank

perfect

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jan 2026

Brendan

Perfect and right where you need to be if you’re ferrying

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jan 2026

Heidi

Beds were clean and comfortable, quick overnight place to rest our heads. There was a lot of night time activity in the adjacent rooms, but once I was asleep I didn’t hear anything. It was safe and convenient location very close to ferry. Price was great.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jan 2026

ROSELIA

Staff was nice. We were there for 3 nights. Bed are comfy. Not all rooms are renovated. We got one that wasn't. It smelled a little of smoke but that could be the people smoking outside the rooms. I suggest not staying more than one night. But if you are looking for a cheap stay, this motel works.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2026

Corlis

Staff was friendly and helpful. One wall in the bathroom was dirty. Something black was on the sheets. Bed was comfortable.