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Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

1.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

Water view
Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets
Front of property – evening/night
Reception hall
Water view

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Business services
  • Bar
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
121 Bastion St, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 3A2
  • Place, Bastion
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Nanaimo Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Old City Quarter
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome)
    ‪3 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Men only, Shared Bath

Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Men only, Shared Bath

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • Partial sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only, Shared Bath

Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Women only, Shared Bath

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(8 reviews)
  • Partial ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space | Premium bedding, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Shared Bath, Shared Living Space

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Hostel)

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.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

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

  • 8 detached private bathrooms
  • 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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. 107 out of 275 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 92 out of 275 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 37 out of 275 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 275 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 29 out of 275 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Geunwoo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing for stay in Nanaimo
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Awesome customer service - went far above and beyond to make sure I got checked in, even at 1:30AM (they normally close standard check-in at 8PM).
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erik

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice, respectful and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
John the steward of the place was great. He's helpful and helped us check in no problem.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Saied

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location reasonable pricing clean
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maximillian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place
Verified

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Brody

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Vincent

Liked: Staff & service

I would stay again

Not a bad hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hyunjeong

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

8/10 Good

Beth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a great check in experience and enjoyed the kitchen/lounge space - thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

My week sketching in Nanaimo.

If you’re open to bare-bones, inexpensive, quirkiness, remember this is a hostel (though I rented a private room. Very accommodating, all requests fulfilled. Friendly staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ludovica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly reception, rooms and bathrooms are basic but clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nanoha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Elysia

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

10/10 Excellent

Margareta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Comfortable bed and cosy warm bedding. Older but very clean facility. Well equipped communal kitchen with pleasant dining room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, let me check in early. Great location, could use ac, and an in house coffee service, even if i had to pay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
So clean and comfortable. Would stay a week if i had time. Want to return
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, quiet, convenient and well priced
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Wendy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Feels like home away from home. Nice hostel.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Lana

Disliked: Cleanliness
Fine for a stop over, hostel lovers or for those that don't need much space. Room was very small but clean, building is old and charming; creaky floors with thin walls. The bathrooms were not very clean, smelled like urine with dirty, small and grimy shower.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025