Best Western Dorchester Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Best Western Dorchester Hotel in downtown Nanaimo is highly praised for its prime location and beautiful harbour views. Guests appreciate the convenience of being close to the waterfront, marina and a variety of dining and shopping options, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. The proximity to the BC Ferry terminal adds practical value for travelers.
The breakfast experience receives mixed but largely positive reviews with guests commending the diverse options and excellent service, particularly highlighting the smoked salmon and the buffet. The on-site dining options, The View Restaurant and Top Notch Burgers, receive glowing feedback for their quality, service and delicious food, offering guests a delightful culinary experience within the hotel.
The rooms are noted for their cleanliness and comfort with many guests finding them spacious and well-appointed. The extra-large king-size beds and comfortable pillows are frequent highlights, along with the addition of mini fridges in some rooms. However, some guests did mention areas needing improvement, such as outdated features, noise issues and occasional maintenance concerns.
Cleanliness is a strong point, as many guests describe the hotel as modern and spotless with the housekeeping staff receiving recognition for their diligent work. There were some isolated complaints about the need for deeper cleaning in certain areas and minor maintenance issues, but overall, the hotel's cleanliness is highly regarded.
The hotel's staff is consistently praised for their friendliness, helpfulness and exceptional customer service, enhancing the overall guest experience. Whether at the front desk, restaurant or housekeeping, the staff's efforts to assist and accommodate special requests significantly contribute to the hotel's positive reputation.
Parking at the hotel is appreciated for being free and generally convenient, though there are some challenges regarding limited spaces and the need for alternative parking during peak times. Despite these minor issues, the inclusion of free parking is valued by many guests.
Families find the hotel accommodating, especially with spacious family suites that are ideal for a couple and two children. The pet-friendly policy further appeals to family travelers.
The beds at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel receive high marks for comfort with many guests specifically enjoying the king-size beds and the quality of the mattresses and pillows. Although a few mentioned issues with bed age or softness, the majority found the sleeping arrangements to be a highlight of their stay.
In summary, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay with excellent service, making it a highly recommended option for travelers exploring Nanaimo.
Categories
The breakfast experience receives mixed but largely positive reviews with guests commending the diverse options and excellent service, particularly highlighting the smoked salmon and the buffet. The on-site dining options, The View Restaurant and Top Notch Burgers, receive glowing feedback for their quality, service and delicious food, offering guests a delightful culinary experience within the hotel.
The rooms are noted for their cleanliness and comfort with many guests finding them spacious and well-appointed. The extra-large king-size beds and comfortable pillows are frequent highlights, along with the addition of mini fridges in some rooms. However, some guests did mention areas needing improvement, such as outdated features, noise issues and occasional maintenance concerns.
Cleanliness is a strong point, as many guests describe the hotel as modern and spotless with the housekeeping staff receiving recognition for their diligent work. There were some isolated complaints about the need for deeper cleaning in certain areas and minor maintenance issues, but overall, the hotel's cleanliness is highly regarded.
The hotel's staff is consistently praised for their friendliness, helpfulness and exceptional customer service, enhancing the overall guest experience. Whether at the front desk, restaurant or housekeeping, the staff's efforts to assist and accommodate special requests significantly contribute to the hotel's positive reputation.
Parking at the hotel is appreciated for being free and generally convenient, though there are some challenges regarding limited spaces and the need for alternative parking during peak times. Despite these minor issues, the inclusion of free parking is valued by many guests.
Families find the hotel accommodating, especially with spacious family suites that are ideal for a couple and two children. The pet-friendly policy further appeals to family travelers.
The beds at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel receive high marks for comfort with many guests specifically enjoying the king-size beds and the quality of the mattresses and pillows. Although a few mentioned issues with bed age or softness, the majority found the sleeping arrangements to be a highlight of their stay.
In summary, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay with excellent service, making it a highly recommended option for travelers exploring Nanaimo.
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel provides comfortable accommodations and family-friendly amenities. It is conveniently located near local attractions and offers services suitable for families traveling with children.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel offers pet-friendly accommodations in designated rooms for both cats and dogs. It provides pet beds and bowls in the room, with a maximum of two pets per room, each weighing less than 35 pounds.
Hotel with Parking
This hotel offers free parking for its guests in a street-level parking lot. In the event that the lot is full, the hotel reimburses guests for fees incurred in a public parking lot. It is located downtown near the Nanaimo Harbour and the Seaplane Terminal.
3-Star Hotel
The hotel is known for offering harbour views from select rooms. It provides comfortable accommodations and is family-friendly. Some rooms offer harbour views.
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Business Hotel
Hotel with Gym
Guest Reviews
Nestled in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel stands out for its excellent location and stunning views over the harbour. Guests frequently praise how conveniently located the hotel is with easy access to the waterfront, marina and an array of nearby restaurants and shops. This central location makes it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the city on foot and enjoy the bustling dining and shopping scene.
The proximity to the ferry terminal is particularly advantageous for travelers using the BC Ferry to Vancouver, making it a practical stopover. Guests appreciate the scenic views from their rooms, often highlighting the beautiful vistas of Nanaimo Harbour and the ease of access to scenic walking routes along the sea wall.
In addition to its prime location, the hotel offers convenient amenities including free parking and comfortable, clean rooms. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the stay, making guests feel welcomed and well-cared for during their visit. With its combination of a perfect downtown spot, cozy accommodations and beautiful harbour views, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel comes highly recommended for anyone visiting Nanaimo.
The breakfast experience at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel has received varying reviews from guests with many highlighting positive aspects. Numerous guests found the breakfast to be excellent, praising the diverse options and good value. Several remarked on the standout service, particularly noting staff members like Kim for their exceptional service. The smoked salmon came highly recommended and the buffet received compliments for its quality and a special seniors rate. However, some guests were disappointed as breakfast was not included in their stay and others noted the late start time of 8:00 AM, which was inconvenient for those with early schedules. Additionally, a few mentioned that the menu did not change throughout the week. Despite these critiques, those who tried the on-site dining generally found the breakfast fantastic and the dining experience in other hotel restaurants equally excellent.
Best Western Dorchester Hotel offers a delightful dining experience with two exceptional restaurants on the property. Guests praised The View Restaurant, describing it as amazing and often highlighting it as some of the best food they have encountered in their travels. Top Notch Burgers also received accolades for its delectable offerings with reviewers calling it very good and even "to die for."
Both restaurants, including the bar/lounge, serve excellent food, combining fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere. The quality of the meals, alongside the friendly and attentive service, garnered numerous compliments. Visitors frequently noted the consistently good food and excellent service, making dining at the hotel a consistently pleasant experience. The attached View Restaurant and Top Notch Burgers proved to be delightful surprises for many, leading several guests to enjoy multiple meals there during their stay.
The rooms at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel receive a mix of impressions with highlights centering on their cleanliness and comfort. Many guests appreciated the spaciousness and brightness of the rooms, often noting that they were neat, well-appointed and up-to-date. The extra-large king-size beds were frequently mentioned as a key comfort feature, leaving a positive mark, as were the comfortable beds and super comfy pillows.
In terms of amenities, the addition of a mini fridge in the rooms was a pleasant surprise for some guests. Furthermore, the rooms with harbor views garnered positive feedback for providing a great visual experience.
However, the reviews also point to certain areas needing improvement. Several guests found the rooms small and in need of repair with some mentioning outdated features and slanted floors. Noise and musty smells were also noted by a few, along with occasional issues such as lack of hot water and delayed check-in times.
Despite these mixed reviews, the Central location of the hotel and its proximity to the ferry terminal were praised for convenience. Overall, if guests value cleanliness combined with some modern touches, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel seems to meet those needs effectively.
Guests at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel frequently highlight the comfort of the beds as a standout feature. Many reviews praise the beds for being extremely comfortable with numerous guests specifically mentioning the king-size beds and supportive yet soft mattresses. The pillows also receive commendation for their comfort. Rooms with a view, particularly of the harbor, are appreciated for combining scenic beauty with restful sleep. Although the majority of the feedback is positive, a few guests noted that the beds felt old or were not as comfortable with some also mentioning issues with bed size and overly soft pillows. Overall, comfort and cleanliness of the rooms contribute positively to the guest experience, making the hotel a pleasant place to stay.
The Best Western Dorchester Hotel has garnered positive feedback for its cleanliness from numerous guests. Reviews frequently highlight that rooms are very clean, comfortable and well-appointed with some describing the hotel as clean, modern and featuring wonderful modern touches. Many guests appreciated the central and accessible location, noting the property’s proximity to local attractions and beautiful views. Despite some remarks suggesting certain areas needed deeper cleaning or updating, the overall sentiment remains favorable with phrases such as impeccably clean, clean and spacious and absolutely spotless regularly mentioned. Furthermore, housekeeping staff received recognition for their hard work, ensuring guests' rooms were ready and in good condition. However, isolated issues like poor indoor air conditioning and mildew smells in bathrooms were noted, indicating room for improvement. Overall, the hotel maintains a reputation for being clean, comfortable and conveniently located, offering a satisfactory stay for many travelers.
Guests at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel consistently praise the efforts and demeanor of the hotel's staff, citing exceptional customer service and attentiveness. The staff is described as friendly, cheerful and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure a pleasant stay. Notable mentions highlight the helpfulness of Aryan and Aden, as well as a girl at reception who was particularly lovely and accommodating. The front desk staff receives high marks for their engagement and efficiency, handling tasks like early check-ins and late arrivals with ease.
Whether at the front desk, housekeeping, restaurant or pub, the staff across all areas of the hotel is lauded for their friendliness and effort to assist guests. Courteous, prompt and willing to accommodate special requests, the staff members significantly enhance the guest experience with some even going above and beyond in unique situations. The positive interactions and dedicated service from the staff create a welcoming and supportive environment, making the Best Western Dorchester Hotel a commendable choice for travelers.
The parking situation at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel has garnered mixed reviews from guests. On the positive side, many appreciated that parking was free and often convenient, a feature that was a main attraction for several guests. The availability of complimentary parking next door, coupled with nice views across the harbor, added to the allure.
However, the parking arrangement had its drawbacks. Many reviewers noted that the parking spaces directly at the hotel were limited and could be a challenge, especially during peak hours when the hotel's bar and restaurant were busy. The small parking lot filled up quickly, leading to situations where guests had to find alternative paid parking farther away, which some found inconvenient.
Guests driving motorcycles mentioned the parking was non-secure and there were concerns about the vulnerability to theft in the free parking lot. The spaces were described as small and poorly arranged, making it difficult to find a spot, particularly if not arriving early. Despite these challenges, the central location of the hotel and the inclusion of parking in the stay were generally seen as advantages.
The Best Western Dorchester Hotel in Nanaimo receives praise for being particularly accommodating for families, especially those traveling with children. Guests complimented the spacious family suites, which comfortably housed a couple and two young adult children, offering a perfect setup for a family of four. Families appreciated the ability to close off the living room, providing a useful space when kids became too energetic. The cleanliness and modern updates of the family suites, combined with the hotel's excellent location, contributed to an overall positive experience. Additionally, the hotel is pet-friendly, further enhancing its appeal for family travelers. Some guests did note a minor issue with a loud A/C unit, but this did not overshadow the largely positive feedback centered around the comfort and suitability for families.
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Location
The proximity to the ferry terminal is particularly advantageous for travelers using the BC Ferry to Vancouver, making it a practical stopover. Guests appreciate the scenic views from their rooms, often highlighting the beautiful vistas of Nanaimo Harbour and the ease of access to scenic walking routes along the sea wall.
In addition to its prime location, the hotel offers convenient amenities including free parking and comfortable, clean rooms. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the stay, making guests feel welcomed and well-cared for during their visit. With its combination of a perfect downtown spot, cozy accommodations and beautiful harbour views, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel comes highly recommended for anyone visiting Nanaimo.
Breakfast
Dinner
Both restaurants, including the bar/lounge, serve excellent food, combining fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere. The quality of the meals, alongside the friendly and attentive service, garnered numerous compliments. Visitors frequently noted the consistently good food and excellent service, making dining at the hotel a consistently pleasant experience. The attached View Restaurant and Top Notch Burgers proved to be delightful surprises for many, leading several guests to enjoy multiple meals there during their stay.
Rooms
In terms of amenities, the addition of a mini fridge in the rooms was a pleasant surprise for some guests. Furthermore, the rooms with harbor views garnered positive feedback for providing a great visual experience.
However, the reviews also point to certain areas needing improvement. Several guests found the rooms small and in need of repair with some mentioning outdated features and slanted floors. Noise and musty smells were also noted by a few, along with occasional issues such as lack of hot water and delayed check-in times.
Despite these mixed reviews, the Central location of the hotel and its proximity to the ferry terminal were praised for convenience. Overall, if guests value cleanliness combined with some modern touches, the Best Western Dorchester Hotel seems to meet those needs effectively.
Beds
Cleanliness
Staff
Whether at the front desk, housekeeping, restaurant or pub, the staff across all areas of the hotel is lauded for their friendliness and effort to assist guests. Courteous, prompt and willing to accommodate special requests, the staff members significantly enhance the guest experience with some even going above and beyond in unique situations. The positive interactions and dedicated service from the staff create a welcoming and supportive environment, making the Best Western Dorchester Hotel a commendable choice for travelers.
Parking
However, the parking arrangement had its drawbacks. Many reviewers noted that the parking spaces directly at the hotel were limited and could be a challenge, especially during peak hours when the hotel's bar and restaurant were busy. The small parking lot filled up quickly, leading to situations where guests had to find alternative paid parking farther away, which some found inconvenient.
Guests driving motorcycles mentioned the parking was non-secure and there were concerns about the vulnerability to theft in the free parking lot. The spaces were described as small and poorly arranged, making it difficult to find a spot, particularly if not arriving early. Despite these challenges, the central location of the hotel and the inclusion of parking in the stay were generally seen as advantages.
Family
No, Best Western Dorchester Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Best Western Dorchester Hotel.
Yes, Best Western Dorchester Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Best Western Dorchester Hotel.
Yes, Best Western Dorchester Hotel has a gym.
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