Nanaimo motel close to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
Along with laundry facilities, this motel has a picnic area and free self parking. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a vending machine.
Departure Bay Motel offers 22 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and complimentary toiletries. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. LCD televisions come with premium cable channels.
Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps).
Departure Bay Motel features a vending machine, a picnic area, and laundry facilities. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. Complimentary uncovered self parking is available on site.
Departure Bay Motel has designated areas for smoking.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free uncovered self parking on site
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Vending machine
Outdoors
Picnic area
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Front entrance ramp
No elevator
Tile flooring in room
Well-lit path to entrance
More
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Soap
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
Towels provided
Entertainment
LED TV with premium cable channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
More
Air conditioning
Heating
Laptop workspace
Separate sitting area
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 19
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - midnight
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of CAD 21.00 per pet, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
A damage deposit of CAD 200 will be collected before check-in.
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Pet fee: CAD 21.00 per pet, per day
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 5031994
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Property is also known as
Departure Bay Motel Motel
Departure Bay Motel Nanaimo
Departure Bay Motel Motel Nanaimo
Departure Bay Motel Reviews
Reviews
7.8
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Fine for a quick overnight. Good bed, big room. Kinda noisy and not in the best shape (water stains on roof, some grime in shower). Appreciated that they accept pets for a fee.
Colin
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Anthony
Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Very clean!! Room was on the smaller side with 2 queen beds that were very comfortable. We didn’t spend much time in the room. Only there to sleep. Was very quiet. Property was very clean and well kept. My only suggestion would be to shorten the curtains so they don’t block the AC.
Our stay was very convenient to the ferries at departure Bay, which is why we pick this hotel. Unfortunately, the people above us were very loud, moving furniture,heard them walking thumping on the floor etc., which was annoying for us underneath them. The road noise was also a bit noisy. I had a difficult time sleeping.
Nice staff with hospitality
Room has strong odour of cigarette and sweat odour everywhere. Found Bubble gum under the bed. I don’t recommend this place as they don’t know how to clean properly.
Nice staff with hospitality
Room has strong odour of cigarette and sweat odour everywhere. Found Bubble gum under the bed. I don’t recommend this place as they don’t know how to clean properly.
The motel is older but very clean and comfortable. It would be nice to have air conditioning though. Parking is also a challenge for the larger vehicles.
Check-in was easy and the guy was super nice. Old school key style which was fun. Rooms are clean. The living area a little outdated but the bathrooms were really nice. Like really nice. Bed was comfy. Location was perfect for us. Super happy we stayed. They also have free mini golf no on-site but that was cool.
I'll start out by saying the front desk staff at the hotel are very helpful and welcoming. I had high hopes for this place based on the relatively good review score. The common areas and outside of the facility looked clean and well kept. I was expecting the same from the guest rooms.
Nope.
Unfortunately the room we were assigned was starting to show its age, and the cleanliness was lacking.
The laminate floor was well beyond the point of needing to be replaced. There were coffee stains on the duvet cover. Bathroom vanity showing heavy wear. Crusty food smears on the side of the microwave. Dirt and dust on the floor in the bathroom. It had to be tolerated for the one night we were there, knowing there was nothing else available and no other options.
The positives of our stay were the bed was comfortable, the AC blew cold and we were on the quiet side of the building.
I'd be willing to book in again since it's such a convenient location, but maybe not during the busy season. I wonder if staff have a such tight turnaround time on rooms during the summer and they just don't have the time to dedicate to a proper clean.
Nice and clean. We needed a place to stay at short notice due to an airline strike and thankfully they had space to accommodate. . I hace atayed here in yesrs oast and it has akeays been a pleasant stay
Colleen
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
6/10 Okay
Anita
Traveled with family
Aug 18, 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Bed was not comfortable - the pots/ pans in the kitchenette were not really usable and had no luck getting a different one when asking at reception. Had to ask for toaster.
We used this as a one night stop over before catching an early morning ferry. The room was rather outdated but clean and comfortable which is all we needed. 3 mins to the ferry terminal so no need to add extra travel time for city traffic. Easy to get into the city from. As others have said friendly welcome and helpful staff at reception . Not sure I’d stay more than 2 nights here but if you are just passing through a good place to lay your head at night
TV didnt work, I was told I would get a discount and that didn't happen. A discount on a future stay doesn't work for someone who lives a 16 hour drive away