Riverside Inn
Location: 56 North Shore Rd, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, v0r2g0, Lake Cowichan, CA
Star Rating: 2 Stars
Property Type: Inns
About this Property
Terrace Views and Modern Amenities - Enjoy breathtaking views from our terrace and stay connected with complimentary wireless internet. Unwind in our picnic area and make the most of your stay.
Dining and Bar Options - Indulge in delicious meals at the restaurant or grab a quick snack at the coffee shop/cafe. End your day with a refreshing drink at the bar/lounge, perfect for relaxation.
Convenient Features and Services - Benefit from luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self-parking is available onsite for your convenience. With individually decorated guestrooms featuring modern amenities, you'll feel right at home.
Experience comfort and convenience at Riverside Inn, located in the heart of Lake Cowichan. Book your stay now to explore the nearby attractions and enjoy a memorable getaway.
Important Information
Take in the views from a terrace and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and a picnic area. Additional features at this inn include a vending machine and bike storage.
Policies
Check-in: 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Instructions: The front desk is open daily from 9 AM - 5 PM. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.
Amenities & Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Terrace
- Luggage storage
- Designated smoking area
- Wheelchair accessible
- Picnic area
- ATM/banking
- Conference space
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Billiards or pool table
- Grocery/convenience store
- Free self parking
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Rooms Available
-
Superior Room, 1 King Bed, Balcony, River View
1 King Bed
Balcony with river views
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Flat-screen TV
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle
Sleep - Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Iron/ironing board, laptop workspace, and phone; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Free Local calls
- Ceiling fan
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Rainfall showerhead
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
-
Standard Room, 1 King Bed
1 King Bed
Individually decorated room
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Flat-screen TV
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle
Sleep - Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Iron/ironing board, laptop workspace, and phone; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating
Non-Smoking, renovated in July 2017
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Free Local calls
- Ceiling fan
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Rainfall showerhead
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
-
Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen
1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
Individually decorated room
Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Flat-screen TV
Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle
Sleep - Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Iron/ironing board, laptop workspace, and phone; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Kitchen
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Electric kettle
- Sofa bed
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Free Local calls
- Ceiling fan
- Separate sitting area
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Separate dining area
- Free WiFi
- Rainfall showerhead
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
-
Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed
1 Queen Bed
Individually decorated room
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Flat-screen TV
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle
Sleep - Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Iron/ironing board, laptop workspace, and phone; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating
Non-Smoking, renovated in July 2017
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Free Local calls
- Ceiling fan
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Rainfall showerhead
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
-
Standard Double Room, Multiple Beds
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed
Individually decorated room
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Flat-screen TV
Food & Drink - Refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and electric kettle
Sleep - Hypo-allergenic bedding, blackout drapes/curtains, and bed sheets
Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and rainfall showerhead
Practical - Iron/ironing board, laptop workspace, and phone; rollaway beds (surcharge) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating
Non-Smoking, renovated in July 2017
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Refrigerator
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Free Local calls
- Ceiling fan
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Free WiFi
- Rainfall showerhead
- No rollaway/extra beds
- Bedsheets provided
- Laptop-friendly workspace
Guest Reviews
- Iain (8/5): - Great that they could provide secure overnight storage for our bikes - much appreciated.
- Heather (10/5): Love it - Very relaxing comfortable stay with beautiful scenery. The young woman in the bar checked us in and she was very pleasant and efficient. My crab cakes were forgotten on our dinner delivery and she brought them up to us.
- Therese (10/5): - Cute and worth the stay
- Linda (10/5): - Great location by the water. Staff are very friendly and helpful.
- Catherine (10/5): - Nice old building with renovated rooms. Nice bar with patio and private dock to sit on and tube from.
- Nicola (10/5): - It was fantastic! We have been coming each year and will come again! Thank you đ
- Kerry (10/5): - We loved how clean and beautiful the rooms were. The air conditioning and fan kept the room cool on a very hot day. We did try calling the given phone numbers at one point to reach staff but could not. My husband was able to track someone down in the closed restaurant to answer his questions. We also were startled that the restaurant was closed early as there was no sign on the door from the rooms and the staff member who told us was not clear but we understand that the smoke from the fires caused extenuating circumstances in this situation.
- Alisha (8/5): - Staff are very friendly and helpful. Our room was clean, but smelled like someone had previously smoked in the bathroom (not the hotel's fault, but still unfortunate). Lots of restaurants and stores within walking distance, and hotel pub was great!
- Michael (4/5): - Extremely disappointed. Room was noisy right beside major roads. Noise went all night and started up again early in the morning. The photos are false advertising by not showing the fact the room overlooked a roof with an old hotel sign and was right beside noisy roads and a bar. Not the "river side." Old and smelly room with creaky floor and dirty carpet. The bath drain was plugged. We decided to leave a day early but they didn't give us a refund. They don't care about customers. Beware!
- Faith (8/5): - A comfortable spot to rejuvenate from the nature all around
- Sören (6/5): - Generally nice, too long wait to check in, no one at the checkin desk - very nice Irish server from the bar helped out. Insects all over the carpet limited the experience.
- Garry (4/5): - Bands played until midnight on Friday, 1:00 am Saturday. Way too loud.
- Gursheen (10/5): - It was an amazing property. Coffeteria, PUB, restaurant all wthin the facility.
- Derrick (10/5): - Very clean and renovated, nice views
- Kirti (8/5): - Nicely renovated, safe and quiet property. No staff support after 5pm.
- Heather J. (10/5): - Very pleasant stay. Room was small but very clean, comfortable and quiet. They have done a great job of renovating these rooms in an old building! Nice bedding and comfortable bed. High quality toiletries. We would definitely stay here again.
- Amee (8/5): - Room was great for the two of us - close to everything, clean and the bed was comfy. Would stay again!
- Angela (10/5): - I loved the balcony with the comfy chairs overlooking the river. It's the perfect sun trap
- Carolynne (6/5): - Room was cramped and a bit small. Hotel didn't look full but we were given a room overlooking the pub roof - not very inspiring and the pub was a bit loud. No room service for the 3 nights we were there. Renovated decor was
- Heather (8/5): Great peacful stay - Lovely stay! housekeeping notes : last customers coffee grounds and coffee still in the pot and a stack of used dirty dishes in the cupboard. There is a sign that says to wash your dishes Upon leaving or you get charged $25 but no soap provided to do so.
- Neal (10/5): - The staff in hotel, cafe and coffee shop were polite and very friendly. The property was very comfortable and easily accessible. We canât wait until we can make it back
- Dennis (8/5): - Great!!! Sirens through the night with no explanation. We werenât sure if we should leave .. other than that a wonderful place.
- Lisa (10/5): - Wished cafe was open
- Karen (8/5): - The room had an awful smell at first but i think it was the bar kitchen. Once the bar closed, it was excellent.
- Elizabeth (8/5): - Nicely refurbished rooms, with comfortable beds and modern bathrooms.
- John (10/5): - Had an amazing one night stay, our room was warm, comfortable and everything we required was available. Enjoyed a wonderful meal in the pub next door, served by a very polite and helpful young man. Would certainly recommend this inn and definitely stay again if we were in this area again.
- Hazel (4/5): - It was not what I was expecting the experience to be
- Jay (10/5): - Room was good and clean, Beds and pillows lovely. Best of all the friendly service, clear, helpful, no attitude, just wonderful. Good "country style hotel"
- Tanya (2/5): - Fyi this is a very noisy location on the corner of what seems like the busiest intersection in town, next to the liquor store and the Tim Hortons guaranteeing late night and early morning traffic outside your windows. Do you like awaking to natural light like me? Well no such luck here as there are 5 bright street lights shining in your windows all night so it's bright as high noon all night. It's very disorienting because the bright light shines all around the curtains so you can't tell if it's day or night. On a more personal note, my husband and I attempted to enjoy a glass of wine during sunset in the unoccupied area of the hotel property patio. This part of the patio is fenced off from the other patio areas, is obviously unused and covered in cobwebs, so imagine our surprise when Julie from Riverside Inn Pub harassed us about breaking your unwritten rules regarding alcohol consumption and ordered us to dump our wine out, and then had the nerve to advise that we purchase new drinks from your bar. The only listed rule states no drinking alcohol in the lobby, (picture of Riverside's own sign included) but Julie repeatedly insisted no open containers were allowed thru the lobby or on the patio, except what was bought from her and acted like we should have known that. Overall horrible experience, rude staff, loud location, difficult to sleep with the noise and light issues, topped off with an emergency vehicle driving by with full sirens at 6am.
- Oliver (10/5): - The Lady at the front Desk was very nice and welcoming. It was a beautiful area the location of the property on the river was amazing.
- Linda (8/5): Wouldn't stay there again. - The room was small, but clean. Surprisingly there was no drawers to unpack your clothes. There were hangers but that's it. We lived out of our suitcases for 4 days. There was room for a dresser. It's not handicapped accessible. The rooms are upstairs with no elevator. I usually use a cane or walker. My husband and I are 75 and 73, carrying our luggage up a flight of stairs. If you're in a wheelchair, this place isn't for you. Now the good. It was great having a cafe and pub attached. After long days we ate and had cocktails in the evenings. The staff there were attentive and friendly.
- Janice (8/5): - This property offers easy access to the river.
- Lisa (10/5): - The front desk staff were friendly and efficient.
- Shelley (10/5): - Great location - room was good, cafe and pub were excellent.
- Christine (8/5): - Lake Cowichan is the friendliest place we've ever traveled too! The Hotel is right in the middle of town! Easy access to everything! Our room was small but renovated and clean!
- Louise (10/5): - It was a nice trip
- Shelley (4/5): - We were pleased with the early checkin provided, and the condition of our room. However, at 10pm we learned we were placed above the pub. Country music suddenly blasted from 10pm til 1am, it was extremely loud in our room. There is no one at front desk after 5 and no one answers phones (either from room or calling the facility) so nothing we could do but listen to partiers and blasting music til they were done. We arenât fussy people and donât expect a lot, but sleep is something we anticipate at a hotel. In case you do decide to stay, donât bother with the restaurant attached.
- Becca (8/5): - Clean, quiet, great parking. Dinning on site. Only downside is the street light was directly In front of our room and sort of gave a glow that made you think it was morning. Iâm sure not every room has that issue. Great stay
- MARK (10/5): - Great hotel, pub and restaurant attached and cafe for breakfast. Staff was really great and room was brill. Would really recommend this place.
- Erica (10/5): - Staff at reception are always extremely friendly and welcoming. My room with a deck overlooking the river was really lovely and very comfortable.
- Susan (10/5): - This is an hotel but well taken care of for its age. It was very clean and the staff were great.
- Verified traveler (8/5): Good location, cute rooms - The staff was very friendly and the room was cute and clean, but there were a few issues. The a/c didn't seem to work at all (despite following included instructions, it just wouldn't turn on at all). The coffee maker also didn't work, and the lights were very dim (the dimmer was stuck on the lowest setting). The front desk is only staffed from 9-5ish, so by the time we realized these issues, there was nobody to alert. Overall, cute spot and great location though.
- Owen (10/5): - Good bar and pool facilities
- Carolyn (10/5): - River view! Beautiful.
- jason (10/5): - Convenient.
- Huiyong (8/5): - clean and Comfortable.
- Cindy (10/5): Clean with good food and awesome pub - Great place to stay in lake Cowichan
- Jeff (8/5): - nice hotel on the river with pub. try and get a river view room or you face the street
- David (8/5): - ...
- Christopher (10/5): - Everything was perfect start to finish. Best accommodations in town easily.
- alison (6/5): - This is an older-style hotel. The room was nice with a view of the river, but it was expensive for what you got.
- Justin (4/5): - I stayed in room 7 and unfortunately found bed bugs in my sheets.
- Roger (10/5): - Great staff - very welcome and looked after us Thank you!
- Pam (10/5): - The check-in after reception hours in the bar was great, the server was so lovely, and helpful. The room was very clean and comfortable, overall it was a really great stay!!
- Richard (2/5): - Very well appointed. The rooms were âfreshâ and attractively furnished. The bathroom fixtures were new and modern. Overall, one of the nicest small hotels in the area.
- Alexandra Maria (8/5): - The hotel is quite nice, it is by the river and I had a balcony facing the river. The room was complete with a kitchen and everything you need in it. The staff was friendly, there is lots of parking and you are close to a lot of things. Only thing is there is no elevater.
- Naomi (8/5): - Great spot, lovely staff, everything we needed. Just woke up from siren outside. Probably doesnât happen every night, but because of the state of emergency the province is in, firefighters on alert
- Ricky (8/5): - The staff were friendly, courteous and willing to help when needed. Great location, room was in decent condition. Beds were comfortable.
- Nancy (10/5): - Nice pub!
- Erin (8/5): - Central. Nice rooms. Comfortable beds
- Jacqueline (10/5): - Its unfortunate that expedia booking was not correct but fortunately the staff on site was able to accommodate and went over and above. Don't trust expedia to get the booking right call and book directly with location. Recommended by staff
- Monique (10/5): - Extremely convenient stay for our annual tubing trip, complete with their own dock and restaurant to feed us hungry bears after!
- Trijntje (6/5): - The good: convenient to walk to things, cafe and pub on property, front desk was nice when they were there, back deck area was really lovely, A/C in room worked well. The bad: bathroom was dirty (shower curtain liner was filthy, hair in tub, floor was sticky), music noise from pub until past midnight, right on the main corner of town so lots of outside noise including everyone who stands around chatting after they leave the pub, no microwave in room, ice machine broken (but they gave us small amounts from the pub when asked). We didn't hate our time here, we just didn't find our hotel room to be the refuge we hoped. This is a "beach community" where standards are usually different (and much lower), where we've stayed at worse places than this. I don't think there are many options, either, so I would probably return if I wanted to be in lake Cowichan, but with lower expectations
- Wendy (10/5): Good location and very clean and comfortable - Great location , lovely service - we were allowed to check in early . Good bike storage and right next to a lovely bar
- Krystal (8/5): - Great place will be back
- Shandy-Lee (10/5): - Loved the room, location and the front lady was the sweetest! Thanks for the stay :)
- Malcolm (10/5): - We had a few minor issues with the room however the management team was very responsive and over the top in looking after us. Extremely pleased that there still exists customer service like that.
- Allan (8/5): - Good location Noisy bar heard from room
- Alexey (10/5): - Nice historical place. Convenient parking. Lively pub. Suite is great. Kitchen is well equipped. Renovated. Worth the money. Timmi across the street.
- Verified traveler (8/5): - We had one night in this hotel and we arrived after check-in was closed. Had to go check-in with the waitress in the restaurant which took a little bit effort but was ok overall. It was a bit eerie given that we didn't see anyone else in the hotel or any staff after that point. It was comfortable and quiet and very centrally located.
- Ronald (10/5): - Pleasant staff. Excellent beds.
- Claudine (8/5): - Nice cozy place on river with dock to have closer look. Cafe offers brunch on weekends and had good food, nice staff. Right in town so you can easily walk to any shop, cafe or restaurant. Very convenient.
- Heather (10/5): - Weâre thrilled with this place. Clean, modern, well-appointed room with no noise from the pub. Pub was excellent - amazing service, lovely patio, good food.
- Maureen (10/5): - Very friendly staff
- Tim (10/5): - Great location, cozy room. Gerri took great care of us.
- June (10/5): - Arrived early, staff warmly greeted us and advised us of places to eat and breakfast times and also for a drive around the countryside
- Verified traveler (10/5): - We really enjoyed our stay here - in addition to the great view of the river, comfy room, and easy parking....the restaurant/pub was great!
- Matt (10/5): - As I have been walking the trail, it was easy to get there and I was really happy to be able to eat something within the hotel facility at the pub.
- Ronald (10/5): - Very friendly staff. Excellent breakfast options. Clean. Comfortable beds.
- Heather (10/5): - A great place to stay right downtown at Cowichan Lake.
- justin (10/5): - Good stay! Very convenient and friendly staff.
- Karen (10/5): - Lovely room, very comfy bed and so nice and quiet. The front desk check in woman was very friendly and helpful. We would definitely stay here again!
- Laura (6/5): - The accommodation was perfectly average. Our room was a little damp when we didnât leave the heating on during the day (we returned to the property to the carpet on the floors feeling a little wet and the bed quite cold) but it was clean. The bathroom had lots of towels and the bedroom had a functioning smart TV. The duvet was warm so we werenât cold at night. The property was safe - we needed to swipe our key card to get into the front of the building and then again to get through another door in the lobby. The accommodation is right beside a coffee shop, restaurants and a supermarket so location was a good base to explore the area.
- Courtney (10/5): - Quaint property with a good pub in it.
- Shelley (10/5): - We had the one bedroom suite! It was clean and nice and quiet
- Dan (10/5): - Great room, clean and tidy.
- Gary (6/5): - Rooms great amenities were good. No room cleaning and hard to obtain clean towels after 3 night stay.
- Micheal (10/5): - Beautiful property along the river. Nice room with good temperature control. The staff was excellent.
- Melissa (6/5): - The coffee maker was dirty. There is a particular smell when somebody uses the washroom, even in the corridors. The restaurant was not open for dinner. The rest is ok.
- Shaina (10/5): - First of Gerrie, the lady at the front of the hotel, amazing human. Very kind, informative and easy to talk to. Second off, the hotel and rooms, so neat! I absolutely love all the old pictures and the rustic feeling of the whole place. It was literally across the road from the grocery store and Tim hortons, just the perfect place but honestly Gerrie is what made the experience the best. Just such a sweet human <3 Iâll definitely be back.
- Juliana (4/5): - Wifi did not work, thereâs not front desk after 5pm so if you have a request they do not answer at all. The only good thing was the mattress
- Parveen (10/5): - Excellent option for staying in Lake Cowichan. Owner is super friendly and very responsive. Lots of parking. The pub also has great food.
- Brian (8/5): - Nicely redone older hotel nice pub and good food
- Barb (10/5): - I had a late check out they were very accommodating I will definitely stay there again
- Duke (2/5): Noisy and nobody at front desk all night - Thin walls. Next door had their television on ALL NIGHT and there is nobody at the front desk. Pounding on the door at 1:00 and 3:00 in the morning was ignored. Maybe got 2 hours of sleep
- Tatiana (6/5): - The noise from the air coolers on the roof of the adjacent Liquor Store. Absence of professional team at the reception. Very limited view of the river from the room over the roof of the store.
- Tim (10/5): - Clean, renovated, nice staff
- Darrell (8/5): - Staff was great
- Sean (10/5): - A lovely little hotel in Lake Cowichen. Gerrie was very welcoming and catered to all of our needs. The entire property and our room were very clean. We even had secure parking for our bicycles, as we were riding the CVT rail trail. I would not hesitate in recommending this cute little inn.
- Jeff (8/5): - Excellent location to be in the center of the Lake Cowichan . Enjoyed a quick stay and enjoyed a meal in the pub and breakfast in the cafe.
Photos
