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Summary of reviewsThe Grand Hotel Nanaimo receives positive feedback for its strategic location, making it accessible and convenient for visitors. It is centrally situated near shopping centers, restaurants, and the Departure Bay ferry terminal, with easy access to the island highway, providing both tranquility and connectivity. The hotel is a comfortable base for exploring local attractions and offers underground parking and clean premises. While breakfast experiences are mixed, those who have enjoyed dining at the hotel praise the quality of the food and the inviting venue. Dinner at the hotel's on-site restaurant receives high acclaim for its delightful offerings and excellent service, establishing a world-class dining atmosphere complemented by a whiskey bar.
Guests enjoy spacious, clean rooms, characterized by cozy amenities such as fireplaces and balconies, ensuring restful stays. The hotel's cleanliness is remarkable, comparable to hospital standards, enhanced by luxurious decor throughout the premises. Visitors appreciate the friendly and professional staff, who contribute to a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making the hotel an ideal choice for a pleasant stay. Parking facilities offer convenience with free options and secure underground spaces, appreciated during adverse weather.
Families find The Grand Hotel welcoming, supported by a quiet atmosphere and pet-friendly rooms. The unique ambiance with antiques adds charm, and while food may be on the pricier side, it is commended for quality. Despite being a three-star establishment, its features and amenities prompt guests to recommend it as one of the best hotel options in Nanaimo. Travelers highly regard the comfort of the beds, with many finding them exceptionally inviting for a good night's rest, further enhancing the appeal of this cozy and accessible hotel. Show more
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Hotel near Golf Courses
Located in Nanaimo, this hotel provides convenient access to local golf courses and other attractions. It offers comfortable accommodations for golf travelers.
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel offers family-friendly accommodations and is located in Nanaimo. It provides convenient access to local attractions and amenities suitable for families.
Hotel with Parking
The hotel provides parking and is conveniently located. Note that some reviews mention that the rooms are in need of renovations. However, the staff is friendly and the location is convenient.
Accessible Hotel
This hotel provides accessible rooms with wheel-in showers on the ground floor, including a garden patio. It is located a short drive from the Departure Bay ferry terminal and offers free WiFi and a fitness center.
3-Star Hotel
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo is known for providing comfortable stays and good value. It has consistently received positive feedback for its spacious rooms and convenient location.
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Does your hotel have a swimming pool?No
Answers last updated by The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Business Hotel
Hotel with Gym
Room Types
Guest Reviews
7.7
Good
Location
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo is praised for its strategic location, making it an ideal choice for visitors seeking convenience and accessibility. Situated in a central area, the hotel offers easy access to numerous amenities such as shopping centers, restaurants, and the Departure Bay ferry terminal. Guests appreciate the proximity to the island highway and the hotel's relative quietness, providing a tranquil yet connected experience. Although slightly north of the city center, the location allows for exploration of the pleasant Longwood area and neighboring spots like Parksville. The ease of finding the hotel enhances its appeal, catering well to both family visits and events. With underground parking facilities and friendly staff, it ensures a comfortable stay, further highlighted by its clean and nicely maintained premises. Overall, the excellent location of The Grand Hotel Nanaimo makes it a convenient base for exploring local attractions, shopping, and dining options.
Breakfast
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo offers a mixed experience when it comes to breakfast options. While the advertised facilities may not always meet expectations, with reports of the restaurant being closed and breakfast not being available on-site in some cases, there are positive mentions of dining experiences that make up for this lack. Guests who did have the chance to enjoy breakfast at the hotel found it to be excellent. The food in the restaurant has been praised for its quality, with delectable appetizers and a reasonable menu that doesn't compromise on taste. The venue itself looks inviting, and the dining experiences, including a satisfying breakfast in a box, were described as very adequate and well-executed, ensuring guests leave on a positive note. Additionally, meals such as dinner are considered amazing, showcasing great service and delicious food. While vending machine accessibility could be improved, overall the dining aspect seems to be a high point for those who had the opportunity to indulge during their stay.
Dinner
Nestled in the heart of Nanaimo, The Grand Hotel offers a dining experience that leaves a lasting impression on its guests. The hotel's on-site restaurant, often praised for its lovely evening meals, has won many hearts with really good food that strikes a balance between quality and reasonable pricing. Guests often commend the restaurant's cooking, highlighting the fabulous food presentation that embodies world-class standards.
The dinner menu boasts delightful choices like delicious ribs, and diners frequently appreciate the wonderful selection available, with comparisons to the best fine dining in Vancouver. While the accompanying whiskey bar is noted as a nice touch, it's the restaurant's excellent food coupled with friendly, accommodating staff that earns high recommendations.
Despite some concerns over occasional high pricing and the restaurant not being open at times, the overwhelmingly positive feedback emphasizes a fantastic and delicious dining experience. With the ambiance complemented by super service and a well-stocked bar, the dining experience at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo is often described as an enjoyable culinary journey in a comfortable setting.
Rooms
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo offers guests an inviting and comfortable stay with its spacious and clean rooms. Visitors repeatedly highlight the large size of the rooms and bathrooms, providing ample space for relaxation. The rooms are noted for their cleanliness and pleasant decor, often equipped with cozy amenities like fireplaces, balconies, and verandahs that enhance the overall experience. Guests find the beds to be exceptionally comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep.
Despite being in an older building with a charming atmosphere, the quality of the rooms remains high, appealing to those seeking quiet and comfort. Many guests appreciate the hotel's peaceful environment and quiet setting, perfect for unwinding. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the stay, adding to the positive impressions of guests.
Overall, the combination of spacious and well-maintained rooms, accommodating staff, and a serene location makes The Grand Hotel Nanaimo a desirable choice for travelers. Guests often mention the added benefit of proximity to local amenities, making it a convenient and rewarding place to stay.
Beds
Travelers to The Grand Hotel Nanaimo consistently highlight the exceptional comfort of the hotel beds, which are described as soft, clean, and generally inviting for a restful night's sleep. Many guests found the beds to be very comfortable, with some even noting them as the best part of their stay. The hotel provides a range of bedding that enhances the overall experience, with a mention of comfortable King beds as particularly noteworthy. While most guests praise the softness of the beds, there are occasional remarks about the beds being too soft for those with back issues, and a few comments about the peculiar size of the pillows. However, the overall sentiment remains positive, affirming that a stay at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo offers a rejuvenating rest on its comfortable beds, complemented by clean rooms and friendly staff.
Cleanliness
Nestled in a central and convenient location, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo stands out for its exceptional cleanliness and comfort. Guests consistently praise the hotel for its spotless environment, from the exquisitely decorated dining rooms adorned with beautiful Easter decorations to the gleaming and dust-free lobby, which boasts a glamorous and high-end look with neat antiques and solid cedar doors. The rooms are noted for being spacious, comfortable, and well-organized, many comparing the cleanliness to hospital standards. Amenities such as fridges and microwaves add to the convenience, making stays more comfortable. The hotel maintains its quiet and serene atmosphere, ensuring a restful experience for visitors. Friendly and polite staff enhance the warm and welcoming ambiance, leaving guests eager to return for future visits. With facilities that show little wear and tear, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo ensures that cleanliness remains a top priority, providing an inviting haven for travelers.
Staff
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo is celebrated for its exceptional staff, offering commendable service that leaves a lasting impression on guests. Visitors frequently highlight the welcoming, friendly, and polite demeanor of the staff, from the front desk to the restaurant team, making check-in and check-out processes smooth and pleasant. The professionalism and efficiency exhibited by the team contribute significantly to the overall positive experience. Guests appreciate the eagerness of the staff to accommodate requests and go the extra mile to ensure comfort and satisfaction. The helpful nature of the staff, combined with their courteous approach, enhances the warmth of the hotel’s atmosphere. The extraordinary customer service, coupled with a clean and well-maintained environment, encourages guests to return and recommend the hotel. This focus on excellent hospitality, alongside a superb location and appealing amenities, positions The Grand Hotel Nanaimo as an ideal choice for travelers seeking a friendly and comfortable stay.
Parking
Travelers visiting The Grand Hotel Nanaimo can expect a hassle-free parking experience that caters to various needs. The hotel offers ample free parking options both in front of the property and underground, providing convenience and ease of access to rooms from the parkade. Guests particularly appreciate the secure, gated underground parking, which adds an extra layer of safety and peace of mind, especially for those traveling with valuable items or larger vehicles. During inclement weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall, the underground parking proves to be especially beneficial, protecting vehicles from the elements. Although some guests note areas for improvement, such as lighting and accessibility for handicapped individuals, overall, the parking facilities are regarded as a positive amenity, proving to be both practical and reassuring for guests.
Family
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo presents a welcoming option for families visiting the area, offering both comfort and convenience. The hotel is strategically located, making it easy for guests to visit nearby friends and family as well as explore the picturesque lakes around the region. Families appreciate the overall quiet atmosphere, which lends itself to restful sleep and leisurely mornings. The hotel environment is highlighted by its unique museum-like ambience, featuring charming antiques in the lobby. Guests also mention the friendly presence of the hotel’s mascot, "Barkley", which adds to the delightful experience. Despite food being on the pricier side, it earns positive remarks for its quality. The pet-friendly rooms and the attention to cleanliness, with rooms noted for their spotless condition, provide further assurance of a comfortable stay. Overall, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo stands out as a pleasant, family-oriented choice with excellent service.
3 Star
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo offers a charming and cozy experience, embodying the essence of a three-star hotel with its friendly service and welcoming ambiance. Guests appreciate the reasonably priced accommodations, which combine comfort with a touch of elegance. The rooms are described as spacious and well-appointed, featuring real glassware and coffee mugs that add a homely feel. The hotel boasts impressive amenities including a great restaurant and a Whiskey Bar, contributing to a delightful stay. Despite its three-star rating, many visitors believe the hotel merits a higher assessment due to its exceptional features and spacious bathrooms. While breakfast is not included, the overall experience leaves travelers recommending it as the best hotel option in Nanaimo.
Yes, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: . For more information, read the answers to the Pool questionnaire
No, a spa isn't available at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo.
No, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo.