Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

1.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

Walk along the winding pathway through lush greenery and rocky outcrops to a scenic viewing platform overlooking the coastline.
Cozy retreat with a neatly made bed, framed artwork, and a reading light.
Step into the charming entrance of The Painted Turtle Guesthouse, featuring a welcoming signboard and a cozy outdoor seating area.
Enjoy cooking in this well-equipped kitchen with a dining table and island.
Guests can browse a wide selection of products on display.

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services

Explore the area

Map
121 Bastion St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 3A2
  • Vancouver Island University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome)
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

Shared Dormitory, Women only, Shared Bath

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

Shared Dormitory, Men only, Shared Bath

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Partial sea view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(6 reviews)
  • Partial ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About this property

Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

Hostel with free parking, steps from Bastion
This hostel features a bar/lounge, coffee/tea in a common area and a meeting room. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, laundry facilities and a library are on-site. Private bathrooms are not en suite and housekeeping is available on request.
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) offers 24 accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and rice cookers. Beds feature premium bedding. Full-sized fridge/freezers and microwaves are provided.

Rooms have detached private bathrooms. Bathrooms include a shower. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on request.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
During your stay at Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel), you're just a quick walk from Bastion. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus a bar.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge
  • Services include a concierge, tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes bicycles to rent
  • Steps from Bastion and Nanaimo Museum
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) offers its guests a library, tour/ticket assistance, and coffee/tea in common area. Public spaces have free WiFi. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) also features concierge services and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Nanaimo hostel.

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Hindi

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Ecotours
  • Library

Family friendly

  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting room

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
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Detached private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Free bottled water
  • Freezer
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Rice cooker
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Toaster

More

  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Late check-in fee for check-in between midnight and 2:00 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children 10 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for CAD 10.0 per stay.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Late check-in fee for check-in between midnight and 2:00 AM
  • Rollaway bed fee: CAD 10.0 per stay

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit 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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
Only bookings from non-local guests are accepted; guests whose residence is within 16 mi (25 km) of the property will not be allowed to check in
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
The front desk at this property is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Guests arriving after 8:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. The credit card used when booking the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo ID. Other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children aged 10 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

Property is also known as

Painted Turtle Guesthouse Hostel Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse Hostel
Painted Turtle Guesthouse Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
Painted Turtle Hostel Nanaimo
Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) Nanaimo

Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel) Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 239 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 84 out of 239 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 32 out of 239 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 239 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 239 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Jon

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina, Port McNeill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Juhyun

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Vincent

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service

I would stay again

Not a bad hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hyunjeong

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
quiet and clean place
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shop

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Sorry can't remember name but host was very friendly and helpful. Great place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Elysia, Port Alberni

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Second night stay the receptionist was great
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Elysia, Port Alberni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a good start I quit enjoyed it
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Glen, Nanaimo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our grandson recently visited, and we were fortunate to secure a room for him at Painted Turtle. The staff were exceptionally kind and attentive, making him feel welcome and comfortable. His room was clean, warm, and quiet, and the establishment felt very safe, giving us peace of mind knowing he was in a great place. If you’re looking for a wonderful place to stay, both our grandson and we highly recommend Painted Turtle.
Stayed 21 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Love

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Firstly didn’t got what i booked . I booked 2 queen beds but got only 1 double bed when arrived instead of 2 queen for what i paid. Very small room with no fan . Not a good experience not worth it even.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient, cosy place
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mohamed

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Arvid Sondrol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Arish

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

AMIN

It’s alright.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Kristy May

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Jing

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The room heater is not work and no elevator and has to share bathroom which was not noticed at booking. The staff is not professional. The key is not easy to open the door. The location is excellent!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Super friendly and great central location. There was always a washroom available.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Okay for the night. Kind of sketchy area of town.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property location is central to most activity points and easy to commute
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Excellent service

It was good, staffs were friendly and helpful . Overall service. Was okay
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

James

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property location is central to most of my activities. I am happy with it.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Couldn't sleep cos the whole place stinks.... eww
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024