This is a difficult place to have a hostel. There is a high homeless rate in Nanaimo and so security is an issue (similar situation at the hostel in downtown Victoria). However, the management has made a good effort to try to keep guests safe. No doubt, some homeless might look at the low rate and stay for a night or two to get off the street for a bit. There were a couple of odd characters when I stayed there, but they weren't troublemakers.

When I took into account the rate I was paying compared with what I actually received, I was satisfied. I had a shared room, and I was fortunate in that there weren't others in the room with me. Otherwise, my level of satisfaction might have been lower. I generally like hostels, and this was certainly not the best one I've been in. Some upgrades are needed, but it was clean and met me needs. Good kitchen area. The location is excellent; it's very close to one of the nicer waterfronts in the country. A big shout out to Gary, the assistant manager who was very helpful!

Stayed in April 2024

Food needs to be locked away due to pests.

The property was in a good location by the harbour. It felt safe and was central to the shops and restaurants. The kitchen and common area was clean and gave off a very homely atmosphere. The staff were lovely and allowed an early check in. The check out process was also really simple and efficient. The bedding was clean and there was good laundry facilities on the premises.

Stayed in April 2024

The building is over 100 years old, so while grateful for the constant cleaning - there needs to be some upgrades- one bathroom on the floor didn't lock, so was insecure - foot on door not a good option - and the windows in the room were very drafty even closed. Old couches in common area that smelled - could use some covers that can be washed Really didn't appreciate to find upon arrival that booking.com had a different rate than the one at the hostel and had been charged more than onsite.

The staff were excellent - constantly cleaning the common areas and bathrooms, kitchen. They were helpful friendly and I was very comfortable with their care of the guesthouse.

Stayed in March 2024

There wasn't really anything I didn't like for the one night I stayed there. If I had to say one thing it was that the electrical outlet in the room was too far from the bed to use my phone while it was plugged in, but that is such an incredibly minor thing that it almost isn't worth noting.

The rooms were clean and quiet and there were a good number of bathrooms. I didn't stay long enough to use the kitchen and common room, but they were quite large and looked really nice. The gentleman at the front desk was also very helpful and friendly.

Stayed in March 2024

Other people there.

Room and kitchen

Stayed in March 2024

Other people there are strange and don't even say hello. Not really a young adult vibe.

The bed and rooms and clean

Stayed in March 2024

It's clean but everything is worn out. Our room consisted of a bed and a small side table. The only lamp was plugged into the only outlet and anything plugged into that outlet was powered off when you turned off the light. Our phones couldn't charge overnight.

Great location. Nice common areas and kitchen facilities.

Stayed in March 2024

Everything is good

Location is good

Stayed in January 2024

Very friendly and helpful staff, nice open space for living room/kitchen. Clean and comfortable. Parking nearby.

Stayed in August 2023

Not enough utensils, dishes, small kitchen appliances.

The place is pretty clean.

Stayed in October 2023

If the room had A/C this rating would have bumped up to 9/10. There was one fan in the room which helped, but only a bit. The bed was pretty low so difficult to get in and out of at 8 months pregnant. It wasn't the comfiest sleep.

We stayed in a private room which was nice and clean. The washroom and shower were right across the hallway, which was very convenient for a pregnant woman.

Stayed in August 2023

Sheets not changed ,bathroom lights ,soap out

Stayed in September 2023

Being able to close windows

The hostel itself is good and nice just poorly located beside a karaoke bar , you won't have a lot of sleep

Stayed in September 2023

Cramped places

Stayed in September 2023

Downtown Nanaimo. Close to the waterfront. Price was good too.

Stayed in August 2023

The room smelt of wee.

The bed was comfy.

Stayed in August 2023

You wouldn't want to stay here with mobility issues as there are lots of stairs.

Location is great

Stayed in August 2023

Paul, the house attendant, was gorgeous!!

Stayed in August 2023

Thank you to Paul the caretaker for staying up late to check us in. Bed was comfortable.

Stayed in August 2023

It's my second stay and it feels like the rooms and washrooms'cleanliness got worse. My room smelled strongly of smoke. Not sure where because of a previous customer or from outside. The person at the reception was helpful and accommodated my late arrival with no problem. My biggest complaint was that water bottles provided in my room were apparently re used, and just re filled with tap water (?) since both caps were already opened on both bottles and plastic didn't look new. Not sure if it's an exception or not, but I'd rather have no water than something like this. Otherwise it's a good stay, the location is great!

Location, comfortable bed, lots of showers and toilets

Stayed in July 2023

We were not happy that the large city street cleaning truck chose to drive by the guesthouse numerous times early in the morning.

It was wonderful to have a full shared kitchen with a large refrigerator, stove and all needed dishes, pots, etc

Stayed in June 2023

Location was not so great in terms of noise from a nearby karaoke bar at night. It was hot while I was there, so I had to keep the window open, which let in the late-night street noise. My biggest disappointment is that I had requested a room with a queen bed, but they gave me a room with both a double bed and a single bed cot. Both beds in my room were not nearly as comfortable as the queen beds that my colleagues had in other rooms of the type I had reserved, plus there was no space to move about in my room because of the extra bed I did not need. I clearly received a downgraded room. I felt as if I were in the Seinfeld skit about rental cars; I had reserved a particular type of room several months earlier, so why did they not save one of those rooms for me? This defeats the point of making a reservation. Shish!

Location was great for getting around the center of town and to the water front area. Reasonable price for a single room. My room had to use the bathrooms down the hall, and this was never a problem, because there were always several single-occupancy bathrooms to choose from. The common room with kitchen was nice, especially to escape the heat at night in the bedrooms. It felt like an old-style hostel.

Stayed in July 2023

Very comfortable kitchen/living room area. Very nice staff, especially Paul, super attentive and helpful!

Stayed in July 2023

No drinks, coffee,water,juice, dispenser at door

Everything ready on bed, effective service at desk

Stayed in July 2023