Painted Turtle Guesthouse

Location: 121 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, ca

Star Rating: 7.9 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 04:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Family rooms
• Luggage storage
• Tour desk
• Non-smoking throughout
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Board games/puzzles
• Concierge service
• Shared kitchen
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Smoke alarms
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• Face masks for guests available
• 24-hour security
• Security alarm
• Television in common areas
• Free wired internet
• Internet access
• Secured parking

Rooms Available

• Family Room with Shared Bathroom

  4 Person Family Room with Shared Bathroom/Shower down the hall. Free Wi-Fi, towels, and linens are included. Room has 1 Queen bed and 1 Bunk bed. Suitable for 2 adults and 2 children.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper
  • Socket near the bed

• Queen Room with Shared Bathroom

  Classic Queen Room with Shared Bathroom/Shower down the hall. Free Wi-Fi, towels, and linens are included. Suitable for 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper
  • Socket near the bed

• Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room

  1 Single Bunk in a 4 Bunk Female Dormitory with Shared Bathroom/Shower down the hall. Free Wi-Fi, towels, and linens are included. Suitable for 1 adult.

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper

• Bunk Bed in Male Dormitory Room

  1 Single Bunk in a 4 Bunk Male Dormitory with Shared Bathroom/Shower down the hall. Free Wi-Fi, towels, and linens are included. Suitable for 1 adult.

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper

• Deluxe Room (2 Adults + 1 Child)

  The double room provides a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features city views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Desk
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper
  • Socket near the bed

Guest Reviews

• Urszula (9/5): -
• Randi (8/5): Great last minute stay - It wasn't busy (May), quiet even with karaoke night below us, clean and comfy beds, nice location with lots of cafes/restaurants Odd interaction and general lack of communication with hostel manager (owner?), could use some more upkeep as a bathroom doorknob couldn't engage
• Isabel (7/5): -
• Gil (6/5): -
• Fredrick-Anthony (2/5): - Cheveux dans le lit sous les couvertures. Les draps n'ont pas été changé
• Slim (10/5): -
• Slim (10/5): - I’m not completely sure if I got his name right, but I believe it was Jonny/Johnny at the front desk. He was incredibly helpful and kind. Through his service, you can truly feel that his hospitality comes from the heart and not just from doing his job
• Elliot (10/5): Great place for 2 adults and 2 kids. - Location was amazing. Shared facilities were spotless. The host John went way above and beyond for my family (with 2 young kids), through great communication. Kitchen was well-equipped. The bunk bed was too squeaky. Can you oil it or something? I didn't see for sure but it didn't seem to be a wheelchair accessible building.
• Eva (9/5): -
• Eva (9/5): - Jon was very helpful and went beyond his duties to make everyone’s stay more comfortable.
• Nongkran (8/5): -
• Jayy104 (8/5): -
• Mavin (9/5): -
• Maria Lourdes (8/5): - Location and the costume service. John was great host
• LOGAN (10/5): - John was amazing and so friendly. Room was clean and comfortable and all the amenities you need. Good location near the waterfront and downtown. Lots of open air drug use going on around the area, but the unhoused seemed quiet and respectful overall. Didn't feel sketchy at all
• Antoni (10/5): - John! El mejor guest que me ha atendido jamás! Super atento conmigo, repetiría 100%
• barona (8/5): -
• Hethershaw (5/5): - I loved that I had the whole dorm to myself and it was a nice location as I was walking distance to everything. So I could walk to harbor late at night and walk back 😁 and the hostile was overall better then I pictured in my head it was a nice stay overall I didn't like that when I walked in my room some of the beds were messy and the bunk beds were really short so I couldn't sit in my bed because I'm 5"10 Soo I had to crouch down a lot but the bed overall wasn't that bad it was somewhat comfortable and pretty well priced for $75 it said it was only $65 on the app so I was kinda confused when I got there and they told me it was $75 for taxes so I didn't feel like a got a deal at all but it's ok because I was by myself so that was nice. I feel like if the dorm was full it would be a different story haha as I like my alone time.
• Niall (10/5): - Nice guy John Would been nice to have weekly rates
• Andreane (8/5): Saved the Day! - Conveniently located. Very comfortable beds and linen for a hostel. The host was very gracious to let me check in after hours.
• Evelyne (9/5): - La situation,la propreté, l'amabilité du personnel La cuisine où l'on peut manger .
• Deanna (10/5): A welcoming guesthouse for solo travellers. - Great location, felt at home as I stopped in at the beginning and ending of a month long stay on Vancouver Island. John was helpful and responsive with messages and in person when I needed to store my bike, suggestions for where to dine, and directions. Enjoyed using the kitchen and lounge for self catered meals, a view to pretty restored downtown buildings and quaint shops.
• Asad (10/5): Thank you - Grattitude - Ownwe was super friendly non invasive to privacy, Value for money would recommend to everyone coming or shifting to Nanaimo. Absolutely nothing it was great value for money, a tad bit more spending on maintenance but nothing that would affect mood.
• Shuyun (9/5): -
• Michael (8/5): -
• Ken (10/5): Great place to stay. -
• cruz del carmen (10/5): - La atención muy bien por parte el anfitrión ,las camas super cómodas Difícil subir con maletas , mucho ruido afuera por la música
• mariah (8/5): -
• Lauren Kirby (10/5): -
• Deanna (10/5): Perfect location, comfort, security, price & personality. - Comfortable, clean, quaint, excellent location, welcoming staff. John had great stories and recommendations. I was happy to safely store my bike as I am on an Off-Season biking holiday. Looking forward to coming again and having more time for the Nanaimo Bar Trail.
• DICKIE (7/5): I am grateful - I was travelling with limited funds - unexpected overnight short stay (6 hrs) and thank god for Painted Turtle that met my budget for a quick overnight - easy check in friendly staff - Thank you!
• James (9/5): It was great. - A low cost place to stay and well placed for easy walking. The bus arriving at late hours rather loudly and street work.
• Michèle (7/5): - Pas de petit déjeuner Pas de prise individuelle
• Angelika (8/5): -
• Perminder (10/5): -
• Annika (10/5): Best hostel I’ve stayed! - I liked that the stay was very comfortable and accessible
• Nicole (7/5): -
• Cartier Catherine (5/5): This is a good value hotel for independent, budget-friendly travel ! - The accommodation is very conveniently located in the city center. If you have time, you can make breakfast in the spacious kitchen. When you step out, there are many excellent restaurants to choose from, and if you want to go to the small island across the water, the ferry is also easily accessible. The shower stall is too small especially for people with long hair or larger individuals. It's really only suitable for backpackers.
• Harini (6/5): It was good for the price. - The guy at the front desk was super nice The checkout time was 11am but the cleaning people came in the room and started taking our bedding at 10:20 even though our stuff was still on it. They weren't very nice about it either.
• Honorine (8/5): -
• Luke (9/5): I felt welcomed and comfortable, and would definitely recommend the Painted Turtle to solos or pairs - John is a very gregarious and helpful guy! He's easy to have a chat with, and is always available when you have a concern. The facilities aren't anything spectacular, but for the price and the location they certainly do the job. For a budget stay option, it's really hard to beat. Washroom didn't have soap for one of my nights. Sound travels from the bar next door, so you may find it loud on karaoke night. Bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
• Makayla (5/5): Friendly staff, unfriendly room - The staff were amazing, very friendly, and extremely accommodating. The door lock was extremely finicky in the way to lock and unlock, to the point myself and the other girls didn't lock it unless at night. We had one outlet that didn't work unless the light was on, so we had to unscrew the bulb (with permission) to sleep with a functional outlet.
• Aida (6/5): Mala relacion calidad-precio - Las duchas estaban muy sucias y muchos dispensadores de papel estaban vacíos. Muy caro para lo que es.
• Ng (8/5): - The employee is nice and helpful, he is willing to help if you need some help
• Priel (10/5): -
• Aurelie (5/5): Décevant - Bien localisé, rue commerçante. Cafés et restos tout proches, bord de mer. Bon accueil. La literie était ok. Etablissement démodé, à rafraîchir. Déçue de la chambre, vieillotte, mauvaise isolation thermique et phonique (fenêtres à remplacer), odeurs (tabac ?). Mobilier de basse qualité (chaises, lampe de chevet,…). Salles de bain / wc relativement propres (1/2). Pas de produits de toilette à disposition (savon, schampooing), ça m’a manqué.
• Tanja (8/5): -
• Julia (5/5): Mäuse - Gute Lage, nettes Personal Mäuse im Zimmer!!
• Ken (7/5): I very much enjoyed my stay in Nanaimo - The location was great. The cleanliness was exceptional. Thank you for that. What I didn’t enjoy at all was the room I was in had a very strong odor of cigarettes. I do not smoke and this condition made it very uncomfortable for me to sleep in.
• Nelly-Anne (9/5): Personnel très sympathique et bon emplacement - Le personnel au top et hyper agréable. Le gérant est toujours présent pour aider et donner des conseils pour visiter la ville. Malgré la quantité de chambre et l'auberge relativement étroite, on ne se marchait pas du tout dessus que ce soit pour les toilettes ou dans la cuisine. L'emplacement est très bien pour se promener dans Nanaimo.
• Stephen (10/5): - Meet interesting people from around the world. This year Taiwan and Germany.
• Zane (10/5): Great location - Great location. During my stay very few people were staying over, so I had the whole room for myself. It was quiet and clean. Towel provided. Also, thanks for keeping the luggage safe for a few hours after checking out. Lightbulb in the room was quite dim. There are plenty of outlets in the room, but having them closer to the bed would be preferable. Privacy curtains for the bed would be nice too.
• Virginie (9/5): Very nice place - The mattress was extremely comfortable for a bunk bed. Love it. Owner was very nice - called me on the phone when I messaged them about private room instead of dorm after gettin sick just before my stay, in order to talk options. Very considerate. Very nice kitchen - lounge room. Laundry. No plug next to the bed but there are lockers where you can secure your electronics while charging.
• Marlis (10/5): -
• Secret_Mitty (9/5): Great location, good value for money, friendly hosts - John and Robin were easy going and friendly hosts, great company. The location is excellent, central to downtown. I like they have a sizable shared kitchen area / living room. Their bathroom with showers are each individual rooms which works great for privacy. Not deal breakers for me, karoake bar is a business next door but they turn that off during the late hours (by 11pm or midnight? I hadn't kept track). The facility has normal regular wear that comes with age but feels clean and well kept like a guest house.
• Steve (8/5): - It was clean. The linens were clean. Great common area. One thing, I'm a serious asthmatic. The air inside smelled like maybe a attendant was vaping. It was subtle but it was there.
• Jase (9/5): - It is well located, and has everything we needed. Good common spaces. I liked the collection of books they had, and the people I met. There is no free parking. There’s a public parking lot just a block away, but there are a lot of homeless and sketchy people that are always walking through, so we didn’t feel comfortable parking there. There’s another lot a few blocks away that seemed to have security so we parked there instead. Also, no AC. I’m sure most of the year that’s fine, but in mid-July it was really hot in the room without it.
• Ans (8/5): -
• K.Chia (7/5): -
• Ornella (6/5): -
• Bos (8/5): Good if you are passing through. ++ - Free parking nearby. No tea making facilities in room, but available in kitchen and nearby.
• Lynette (8/5): - accommodated late arrival gracefully.
• Caroline (7/5): -
• Geunwoo (10/5): - Amazing for stay in Nanaimo
• Olivia (10/5): Will definitely be back! - Staff were so welcoming and helpful. Rooms were clean and comfortable.
• Claudia (7/5): Good for a short night's stay -
• Juan (10/5): -
• Abishek (9/5): -
• Secret_Mitty (8/5): -
• Zdena (6/5): -
• Uta (8/5): - Gut ausgestattete Küche mit nettem Aufenthaltsbereich. Freundliches Personal.
• Magaly (10/5): The best location! - Location was the best in the area!! The staff was friendly!! Felt very safe!! The bathrooms were private and you get to lock them, which I really liked! There’s only a small drawer size to place small personal items, we all had to put our larger bags on the floor. Would be nice to have some vertical lockers in the women’s room. And also some small curtain for privacy and a personal light would be nice.
• SHIH JU (7/5): - Lovely front desk Bathrooms are dirty
• Stephen (10/5): - More fun, more character and conviviality than a pricey hotel. Share kitchen and lounge area with nice people from all over the world. Walk to food store, park, marina, bus...you are in the center of town
• Jeanne (7/5): Good location but equipment can be improved - Great location in Nanaimo. The kitchen and common area were good. The fan was really appreciated in the bedroom as it was quite hot during my stay. No individual light, no curtains, no locker to put your suitcase or backpack… The dorm (4 people) was also too small, we couldn’t stand all four in the room at the same time !
• Bo (10/5): -
• Ching-Wen (7/5): - Very central location. The place is a bit old and needs some work done.
• Alexandra (7/5): - That it was a nice location downtown. Staff was really nice. Since there was no ac a fan was provided (which is really nice), the fan only a little helped cool down room and myself.
• Andreas (9/5): Für einen Aufenthalt in Nanaimo ideal - Sehr nettes und hilfsbereites Personal. Obwohl wir sehr spät angekommen sind wurden wir noch sehr freundlich empfangen. Obwohl in die Jahre gekommen war alles top sauber. Es gibt auch eine gut ausgestattete Küche und ein Aufenthaltsraum. Von Freitag bis Montag früh gibt es gegenüber ein kostenloses Parkhaus. Der Lärm der Straße. Dafür war die Unterkunft zentral gelegen
• Ranjith Kumar (9/5): - Clean room, excellent staff and great location!
• Oleh (10/5): - Доброзичливий персонал, розташування у центрі, чистота і затишок.
• Motoki (10/5): -
• VINCENZO (10/5): -
• Samantha (8/5): - Great location, comfortable, perfect for a night stay before an early ferry.
• Caroline (10/5): Heel goed, goed gelegen en fijne goed uitgeruste gemeenschappelijke ruimte en keuken - De ligging, voorzieningen en de zeer vriendelijke en behulpzame concierge John Iemand van de dorm die twee keer midden in de nacht binnenkwam Dan moet je een eigen kamer boeken
• Sophie (8/5): -
• Verified traveler (10/5): - So clean and comfortable. Would stay a week if i had time. Want to return
• Vitalii (10/5): Everything perfect -
• Tracey (10/5): - Staff was very helpful with recommendations in the area, comfortable place to stay
• Amy (9/5): -
• Mary Lynn (10/5): Great accommodations for a decent price. - Painted Turtle Guesthouse was awesome. The kitchen and the communal space was very clean and spacious. Location was exceptional. John was wonderful providing great recommendations on hikes and so helpful with any questions I had. A privacy curtain and a small light provided for each bed would have been a nice touch.
• Christoph (8/5): -
• Germán (7/5): -
• MengShan (9/5): -
• Benjamin (8/5): In the middle of Nanaimo - Really good location. Staff member was very helpful. The common facilities look very good though I didn’t have time to use them. I was there on a hot day and there was no AC.
• Yinchen (9/5): 很好 -
• Clara (8/5): -
• Adriana (10/5): -
• Stephen (10/5): - Friendly staff, let me check in early. Great location, could use ac, and an in house coffee service, even if i had to pay.
• Evelyn (8/5): - Felt like staying at a youth hostel, brought back great memories! Huge common room with cooking area. Lots of private bathroom/showers. Found an excellent Mexican restaurant Gina’s walking distance. Close to ferry.

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