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  5. Reviews of Departure Bay Motel

Reviews of Departure Bay Motel 2 stars

2011 Estevan Road, V9S 3Y9 Nanaimo, Canada

#12 of 19 hotels in Nanaimo

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 570 hotel reviews

7.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.8

  • Comfort

    7.9

  • Location

    8.4

  • Facilities

    7.3

  • Staff

    8.9

  • Value for money

    7.7

  • Free WiFi

    8.9

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 31 August 2025

    8.0
    This motel was a good place to stay, I will come back in future.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I found nothing that I didn’t like about this location.

    Was next to highway, easy access, clean, staff was good.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 August 2025

    7.0
    Quick, easy , convenient .
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Limited parking , obnoxiously loud air conditioner , lack of electrical outlets, no robes provided , comically small outdated tv. Shower was extremely loud and not functioning properly it would not switch into shower mode fully and would always have water pouring from the lower spout , along with inconsistent hot water . Very low quality compared to the clearly recently renovated rooms that I stayed in previously at this location, so be hopeful you get one of the nice rooms , seems like it may be up to luck as I have never requested any rooms or even made any suggestions as to any preferences I may have

    Great location. Easy check in and out. Staff were friendly and professional in limited interactions. It was nice and quiet through the night .

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 August 2025

    7.0
    Otherwise nice place.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The many ants, not enough parking.

    New

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 August 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Staff were very kind and welcoming. Room was neat and pleasant. Very close to the ferry terminal.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2025

    8.0
    Comfortable stay near the ferry
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Small but met our needs for a one night stay.

    Clean, comfortable and close to the ferry.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2025

    8.0
    Was very clean
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom Suite with Two Double Beds and Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The dishes were dirty and didn’t use the cooking supplies.

    I stayed before and liked it so I figured I could go back and stay

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 July 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Queen Room with Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 5 July 2025

    8.0
    Good value.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • One-Bedroom Suite with Two Double Beds and Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Traffic a bit noisy.?

    Clean. Good value.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 June 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nice motel. Good and clean. Does the trick

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 May 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very easy to get to ferry terminal.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • With a pet
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Late check in was accommodated, they even called to confirm they'd stay late. Room upgrade to separate bedroom. Nearby dog walking areas. Mini kitchenette great for mini breakfast I brought.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2025

    6.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Good

    Good

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Being woken at midnight wrrongfully thinking we were the subject of a noise complaint

    Proximity to ferry. Good restaurant next door

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 April 2025

    8.0
    good value, and very clean, which is primary in a stay, and comfortable all round.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night

    entry needs updating, as door was leeking air and should have seals replaced, and kitchette alto serviceable could use a little tender loving care, but otherwise everything was really good.

    very comfortable, slept well, bed was great, loved the blinds, bathroom was newly renovated , well appointed and serviceable, staff was terrific, no real loud noise,

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 April 2025

    8.0
    Lovley
    • With a pet
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    No face cloth or plug for tub

    Nice room

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 April 2025

    8.0
    It was a wonderful getaway, to walk around and see the beauty of the area.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 3 nights

    no complaints

    The location and how it's tucked away from the traffic.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 February 2025

    6.0
    Adequate for the purpose of positioning me to take the ferry at 06:16.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Modest and bit noisy.

    Location

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 January 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Bed was very comfortable! Great location.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 January 2025

    6.0
    just ok
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    dresser in front of the heating vent that was really out of date

    ok nice shower

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 December 2024

    7.0
    Clean, comfortable bed, room needs updating. Decent value for the price.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was dated and 'worn' and needs updates. New paint, bathroom fixtures and furniture would make a big difference.

    While the room was basic and dated, the towels and bedding were good quality, the room was clean, and the bed was newer and very comfortable. Staff were lovely. The room was quiet.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 December 2024

    8.0
    Didn't have to wait long for anything
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room with Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needed directions for stove (maybe post them?), needed toilet paper and a dishrag.

    Staff were attentive

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 December 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 3 nights

    VEry friendly staff

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 2 December 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom Suite with Two Double Beds and Kitchenette
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Smells a bit sour? And looks like monthly guests are now part of hotel. Could use new curtains

    Bedding is surprisingly nice

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 November 2024

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom Suite with Two Double Beds and Kitchenette
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nice bedding etc, but room smelled a bit weird, could use fresher smelling cleaning supplies. We had kitchenette room had basic supplies but needed dish cloth, dish towel & dish liquid.

    I know it's an old motel, so was pleasantly surprised at the decor & bedding updates in the rooms.

    Stayed in November 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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