Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
121 Bastion St, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 3A2 Canada
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Avg. C$85 /night, 2/15 - 2/16
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About
#1 of 4 hostels in Nanaimo
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
If you are looking for the newest, freshest and funkiest accommodation in Nanaimo, then you've found it - the Painted Turtle Guesthouse.We opened July 2004, in a fully renovated and refurbished 1913 heritage building. Located in the heart of the waterfront/arts district downtown, we are among the trendy cafes & restaurants, pubs & clubs, art galleries, bakeries, street performers and local points of interest.The Guesthouse is extremely well appointed and has received the highest possible standard available as a BC Approved Accommodation. We are also an affiliated Hosteling International Property. All features have been designed with the active traveler in mind, but we have thrown in a few special features. The Great Room, in the heart of the building features a fully self-contained kitchen and spacious dining area, lounge with fireplace, games, books, magazines and computers. We provide free WIFI throughout the property. The bathrooms are all centrally located and private use. All linens and towels are provided free of charge and laundry services are available onsite. Breakfast options and essential store are located in the lobby for your convenience. We have 3 room types catering to every type of traveler. Classic -private room with queen sized bed, private Family rooms with queen sized beds and bunk beds, or dorm style accommodation. Lockers/charging stations are provided in all shared accommodation.Gateway to internationally acclaimed Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is the “Harbour City” and features a fabulous ocean-side location. Easily accessible by ferry from downtown Vancouver, and is a great base camp to venture to other Island destinations. Experience the Island’s natural beauty, attractions, and endless recreational and adventure pursuits! We look forward to meeting you and making you stay in Nanaimo memorable.
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Property amenities
Paid public parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
Shared bathroom
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Modern
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese
Location
121 Bastion St, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 3A2 Canada
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 96 out of 100
96
78 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
Traveller rating
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- 56
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Detailed Reviews
This hostel is great because is in a good location. The best thing about the hostel is the very kind service. Rooms are a little bit hot (summer) but there is a very good fan in the room. Building a little bit old but cheap and still nice.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Painted Turtle guesthouse was a nice surprise. We had never stayed in a "hostel" type of accomodation and were a bit worried about it. Here you can share a room with others like a hostel, or you can get a private room for a good price like we did. The room was cute, clean, newly renovated and decorated in a fun & funky way. Bed was very comfortable. There is a kitchen available use of all guests. It's clean, and has all the appliances you will need to cook yourself up your dinner (so you can save some money buying groceries instead of eating out the entire time). There is a common living room for all guests to use as well, which is beautifully decorated and comfortable. The guests tend to gather in this area at the end of the day & get to know each other, maybe share a bottle of wine.
Painted Turtle is newly renovated in 2004, so everything is in great condition! Bathrooms are shared, but individual, meaning only one person can use each bathroom at a time. This gives you some privacy, which is nice. Plus, with 4 bathrooms per floor, you don't really have a huge lineup to use them.
Location of Painted Turtle is fantastic, downtown Nanaimo has just undergone a revitalization so lots of little shops, funky breakfast places, restaurants and bars. Concert Theatre in walking distance if you want to catch a concert. Also only about a block from waterfront, which has a nice walkway, harbour & a coffee shop with great coffee (javawocky). Hang around the harbour long enough, and you are sure to spot some seals.
There is a great martini bar housed in the same building as Painted Turtle, main floor. Good drinks, friendly staff, a nice place to wind down your evening with a drink. Kind of classy, but not stuffy or snobby. We showed up in our jeans & sneakers and were treated just as well as anyone who was a bit more dressed up.
Nanaimo itself is a great jump off place to other parts of the Island. 3 hours to Long Beach & Tofino, or 1.5 hours to Victoria. So you can travel about the island a bit easier from Nanaimo because it is a bit more central than Victoria (and it's not as crowded as Victoria and much less touristy).
We highly recommend this guesthouse if you are travelling out to Vancouver Island. The owners, Bruce & Ang are very friendly, helpful and have a lot of knowledge on what there is to do on the island. Plus, they are kind of fun people to chat with.
- Jim & Liesa
Painted Turtle is newly renovated in 2004, so everything is in great condition! Bathrooms are shared, but individual, meaning only one person can use each bathroom at a time. This gives you some privacy, which is nice. Plus, with 4 bathrooms per floor, you don't really have a huge lineup to use them.
Location of Painted Turtle is fantastic, downtown Nanaimo has just undergone a revitalization so lots of little shops, funky breakfast places, restaurants and bars. Concert Theatre in walking distance if you want to catch a concert. Also only about a block from waterfront, which has a nice walkway, harbour & a coffee shop with great coffee (javawocky). Hang around the harbour long enough, and you are sure to spot some seals.
There is a great martini bar housed in the same building as Painted Turtle, main floor. Good drinks, friendly staff, a nice place to wind down your evening with a drink. Kind of classy, but not stuffy or snobby. We showed up in our jeans & sneakers and were treated just as well as anyone who was a bit more dressed up.
Nanaimo itself is a great jump off place to other parts of the Island. 3 hours to Long Beach & Tofino, or 1.5 hours to Victoria. So you can travel about the island a bit easier from Nanaimo because it is a bit more central than Victoria (and it's not as crowded as Victoria and much less touristy).
We highly recommend this guesthouse if you are travelling out to Vancouver Island. The owners, Bruce & Ang are very friendly, helpful and have a lot of knowledge on what there is to do on the island. Plus, they are kind of fun people to chat with.
- Jim & Liesa
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Date of stay: October 2004
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Really appreciated the easy bike storage right in downtown Nanaimo. Close to lots of great food. All the front desk staff were friendly, kind and helpful. The private room we stayed in was clean and bed comfortable.
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Date of stay: October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I arrived about 10 pm and there was a sign saying to phone the night staff and there was no doorbell. My phone was dead and nothing nearby was open so I knocked for twenty minutes before someone came down to check me in. Arriving in the room, I felt a blast of cold air and saw that the heater was completely turned off and the window was open. Even after putting the heater as high as it would go and getting into bed with my winter coat on, I was still shaking with cold two hours later. The hallways were entirely unheated and the bathrooms had a tiny amount of heat with no thermostat to adjust it (meaning i could not have a shower that i was looking forward to and that is included in the rent). Amenities in the room that i remembered from previous stays were reduced (ie one towel instead of two). And the price had gone up, unlike every other hotel that are currently offering lower rates.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed here when visiting island for many years. We have noticed a huge change in cleanliness and staff. When checking in was told about pancake breakfast offered. We adjusted our plans to have breakfast before checking out. After waiting for 30 minutes my boyfriend asked front desk about breakfast and was greeted with a shrug . When asked front staff - german girl about bathroom needing paper was told by staff that it wasn't their job. Very disappointed in lack of customer service
Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere!!!
Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere!!!
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Room Tip: private rooms don't have private bathrooms!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Threatened and had to Flee!!
When I spoke to staff member Auckshaw and said I needed $7.00 to park for last night, after they have cost me $60 in fines, he denied everything regarding parking and I told him he was a liar for misleading me to stay at the hostel, he yelled at me, shook his fist at me and came after me! He had to be held back and I had to flee as I no longer felt safe!
I had booked for 8 days but left tonight in tears and scared for my well being! They refused to reimburse me for tonight and I am forced to sleep in my car! I had booked a private room, as the staff told me they were still allowing 2 people in a room during COVID-19! Upon arrival,there were signs saying masks must be worn in hallways, kitchen and common areas. The entire time I was there, only 2 out of 6 staff wore any masks! I was put on the fourth top floor which was very hard for me to climb all those stairs with my bad knee. The staff saw me struggling to carry all my stuff. On the only positive note,the cleaning lady, Lisa ensured my room was nice and clean. My major complaint and why I would never recommend staying here are the lies I was given about parking and how horrible I was mistreated. Before booking, I saw online the Bastion and Skinner Parkade was available. I called and the staff said parking for the hostel was available. Having lost my job and my place to live during COVID-19, my funds were put on my accommodations. Upon arriving, the switch occurred as the staff member Auckshaw told me he did not know if parking was available at the corner parkade on Bastion and Skinner. He told me I should go walk over ( I am the paying guest) and it was late at night. Being a single female, I was worried! He then changed his mind and told me the parkade was closed due to construction and told me because of the inconvenience I could park at the other Parkade 2 blocks away. It was also raining and dark. I was mislead by communication from The Painted Guesthouse Hostel on a continual basis! This lead me to receive three parking tickets totaling $90.00! One was reduced to a warning. The constant stress took its toll on me. I was not able to get a decent nights sleep either, due to the fighting, loud swearing and yelling underneath my window! The one bathroom leaked all over the floor and the other bathroom had a notice on it saying out of order. When I went to let them know about my three parking fines on my last day staying, the young girl said I could have parked underneath the nearest parkade as that part was still open. Auckshaw said right in front of her and I, "Oh I did not know that!" He has never apologized to me and has caused me great amount of distress and anxiety. If you are to operate a business that houses guests, you need to know what is available for parking! He lied to me several times and I warn others not to stay here at all! All they want is your money! They clearly do not care about their guests well-being or safety! I have filed a complaint.
When I spoke to staff member Auckshaw and said I needed $7.00 to park for last night, after they have cost me $60 in fines, he denied everything regarding parking and I told him he was a liar for misleading me to stay at the hostel, he yelled at me, shook his fist at me and came after me! He had to be held back and I had to flee as I no longer felt safe!
I had booked for 8 days but left tonight in tears and scared for my well being! They refused to reimburse me for tonight and I am forced to sleep in my car! I had booked a private room, as the staff told me they were still allowing 2 people in a room during COVID-19! Upon arrival,there were signs saying masks must be worn in hallways, kitchen and common areas. The entire time I was there, only 2 out of 6 staff wore any masks! I was put on the fourth top floor which was very hard for me to climb all those stairs with my bad knee. The staff saw me struggling to carry all my stuff. On the only positive note,the cleaning lady, Lisa ensured my room was nice and clean. My major complaint and why I would never recommend staying here are the lies I was given about parking and how horrible I was mistreated. Before booking, I saw online the Bastion and Skinner Parkade was available. I called and the staff said parking for the hostel was available. Having lost my job and my place to live during COVID-19, my funds were put on my accommodations. Upon arriving, the switch occurred as the staff member Auckshaw told me he did not know if parking was available at the corner parkade on Bastion and Skinner. He told me I should go walk over ( I am the paying guest) and it was late at night. Being a single female, I was worried! He then changed his mind and told me the parkade was closed due to construction and told me because of the inconvenience I could park at the other Parkade 2 blocks away. It was also raining and dark. I was mislead by communication from The Painted Guesthouse Hostel on a continual basis! This lead me to receive three parking tickets totaling $90.00! One was reduced to a warning. The constant stress took its toll on me. I was not able to get a decent nights sleep either, due to the fighting, loud swearing and yelling underneath my window! The one bathroom leaked all over the floor and the other bathroom had a notice on it saying out of order. When I went to let them know about my three parking fines on my last day staying, the young girl said I could have parked underneath the nearest parkade as that part was still open. Auckshaw said right in front of her and I, "Oh I did not know that!" He has never apologized to me and has caused me great amount of distress and anxiety. If you are to operate a business that houses guests, you need to know what is available for parking! He lied to me several times and I warn others not to stay here at all! All they want is your money! They clearly do not care about their guests well-being or safety! I have filed a complaint.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Responded Jul 29, 2020
Dear guest, thank you for your reviews. Unfortunately, the public parking lot is doing construction. However, thanks for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry your experience didn’t match your expectations. It was an uncommon instance and we’ll do better.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Incredibly bad place to stay at.
Booked through hotels.com which mentioned a detached private bathroom, which is a horrendous lie. 3 or 4 shared disgusting and badly maintained bathrooms. When we checked in and found this as well as a disgusting used face mask in our room, we decided to leave and asked for a refund, which hotels.com was able to get for us.
I have never ever seen something like this, in Covid-19 times... Such poor hygiene should be reprimanded and I think this place should be closed for lack of respect for public health guidelines...
Booked through hotels.com which mentioned a detached private bathroom, which is a horrendous lie. 3 or 4 shared disgusting and badly maintained bathrooms. When we checked in and found this as well as a disgusting used face mask in our room, we decided to leave and asked for a refund, which hotels.com was able to get for us.
I have never ever seen something like this, in Covid-19 times... Such poor hygiene should be reprimanded and I think this place should be closed for lack of respect for public health guidelines...
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rebecca Yu, Owner at Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Responded Sep 23, 2020
We're sorry you were unhappy with your stay. I understand my housekeeping has not completed the cleaning. I take full responsibility for this and I am very sorry. In such regard, we are currently investigating the whole matter. Rest assured we have duly sought ways to improve our cleaning service in order to avoid such incidents from occurring again. Please contact us, we will offer discount for your next stay. Thanks for giving us feedback!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Woke in the middle of the night to find junkies smoking meth in the room and another doing the fentanyl lean. Trying to make dinner in the comunal kitchen was a nightmare as you have 101 questions from people spun out of there mind on drugs. Not safe at all. Stay away. Expected better from a HI Hostel having stayed at multiple others locations across Canada and never had one problem untill here.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you Nanaimo for a business trip. Booked in at the painted turtle because it seemed like a good place to get a local experience. One criteria is to have a private bathroom. Their website states room with private bathroom. By private they mean, no boast else can come in while you’re using it. I felt mislead and asked for a refund for my 3 nights x 2 rooms( me and a coworker). They only refunded 1 night x 2 rooms. I had to pay for 4 rooms that I didn’t use. Since I had to check into another hotel, company won’t pay so its 100% out of pocket!!
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Responded Jul 29, 2020
Thank you for your review. I’m sorry to hear you had such a frustrating experience, but I really appreciate you bringing this issue to my attention.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The bar downstairs is terribly noisy, well after midnight. The room I was booked into had a guy in there who stank so bad I had to ask for another room. And in that next room I was bitten by bed bugs. So ya, not a great experience.
The people working there are super friendly and kind, but this place has some serious drawbacks.
The people working there are super friendly and kind, but this place has some serious drawbacks.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Until they clear up the bed bug problem, find another place.
If you are ok with the very loud...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"Until they clear up the bed bug problem, find another place. If you are ok with the very loud bar noise well after midnight, enjoy! "Read full review
PRICE RANGE
C$98 - C$109 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
CanadaBritish ColumbiaVancouver IslandNanaimo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Which popular attractions are close to Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
Nearby attractions include Harbourfront Walkway (0.4 km), Nanaimo Museum (0.2 km), and Vancouver Island Military Museum (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, meeting rooms, and self serve laundry.
Is parking available at Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
Yes, paid public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
Conveniently located restaurants include Asteras Greek Taverna, The View Oceanside Grill, and Gabriel's Gourmet Cafe.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Chinese.
Are there any historical sites close to Painted Turtle Guesthouse?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Bastion (0.1 km).