Waterfront and Harbour Hotels in Nanaimo, BC
Nanaimo grew around its harbour, and the most useful hotels for a waterfront stay sit between the Seaplane Terminal, the Harbourfront Walkway and the downtown streets around the Bastion. I have kept the properties whose listing places them on or near the water: the Best Western Dorchester Hotel directly across from the Seaplane Terminal, the Coast Bastion Hotel two minutes from the Harbourfront Walkway, the Courtyard by Marriott near Nanaimo Harbour, and the Days Inn with harbour views. The Ramada and the Quality Inn are short walks from the waterfront, and the Travelodge is minutes from the BC Ferries terminal.
Nanaimo is the second city of Vancouver Island and the arrival point for many ferry passengers from the mainland, through Departure Bay and Duke Point. Its centre is small and faces the water: the Bastion, a Hudson's Bay Company blockhouse from the 1850s, stands above the harbour, and the Harbourfront Walkway follows the shore past marinas and parks.
Floatplanes, Walkways and Views of Nanaimo Harbour
A harbour hotel in Nanaimo turns the waterfront into your daily route: the Harbourfront Walkway, Maffeo Sutton Park and the seasonal foot-passenger ferry to Newcastle Island start a few minutes from the downtown addresses. Floatplanes landing in front of the Dorchester and the Coast Bastion are part of the view, and most of the hotels below include free parking or breakfast.
The Best Western Dorchester Hotel has the most direct relationship with the water: it overlooks the Inner Harbour, directly across from the Seaplane Terminal, so floatplane arrivals happen in front of the windows. The View restaurant serves meals with a look over the harbour, and Top Notch Burgers in the lobby covers a casual evening. Parking is free and pets are accepted, two practical points downtown. With a rating of 8.1 over more than 900 reviews, it is the hotel I would choose for a short stay built around the waterfront and the old town around the Bastion.
A central position gives the Coast Bastion Hotel its edge: rooms look onto the ocean or the city, and the shops and restaurants of the Harbourfront Walkway are a two-minute walk away. Its rating of 8.7 is the highest on this page, and it adds an on-site restaurant, a fitness room and bathrobes in select rooms. From here, the walkway leads along the water to Maffeo Sutton Park, where the seasonal foot-passenger ferry crosses to Newcastle Island. For travellers without a car, it is the most convenient harbour address in Nanaimo.
The Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo offers waterfront access near Nanaimo Harbour with more leisure facilities than the downtown hotels: an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness centre and an American restaurant open for every meal. An on-site casino is part of the building, which suits adults more than families. Rooms are air-conditioned, look onto the city and include a sofa bed. The Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo, rated 7.5, takes another approach with harbour views, a heated indoor pool and a hot tub, about 5.5 km from the Departure Bay ferry terminal.
Three simpler options keep the harbour within walking distance. The Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo stands six minutes on foot from the Harbourfront Walkway and includes breakfast every morning, with balconies in select rooms. The Quality Inn, rated 8.2, gives every room a kitchenette and places the Nanaimo Museum eight minutes away, which suits longer self-catering stays. The Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo is a few minutes from the BC Ferries terminal and the centre, with balcony rooms, a continental breakfast and free parking. The Cold Moon Inn, with only twelve reviews, lists city views rather than a harbour outlook.
A traveler's takeFor a waterfront stay without a car, I would book the Coast Bastion Hotel, two minutes from the Harbourfront Walkway and rated 8.7. If you want to watch the floatplanes come in, my recommendation is the Best Western Dorchester Hotel, directly across from the Seaplane Terminal, with free parking and The View restaurant over the Inner Harbour.
4.4Coast Bastion Hotel
Waterfront & Harbour · 900 reviewsHarbourfront hotel with ocean views and a short walk to downtown Nanaimo
Why guests love itCoast Bastion puts families in the centre of Nanaimo, a two-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of the Harbourfront Walkway, where children can watch floatplanes and ferries. Rooms have ocean or city views, so ask for the ocean side. An on-site restaurant and a fitness room are available, and select rooms include a refrigerator and bathrobes. There is no pool listed. Pets are welcome. The 8.7 rating from about 900 reviews is strong.
4.3Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
Waterfront & Harbour · 653 reviewsWaterfront hotel with indoor pool, hot tub, and on-site casino
Why guests love itCourtyard by Marriott Nanaimo is a comfortable family base near Nanaimo Harbour, with waterfront access for walks along the water. The indoor pool and hot tub are ready in any weather, and rooms include a sofa bed, which gives extra sleeping space for a child. The on-site restaurant serves American food at every meal. A casino and fitness centre are on site too, though they are more for adults. Guests rate it 8.5/10 from over 650 reviews.
4.3Cold Moon Inn
Waterfront & Harbour · 12 reviewsAir-conditioned rooms with kitchenettes and city views in Nanaimo
Why guests love itCold Moon Inn gives families a self-catering setup in Nanaimo: every air-conditioned room has a kitchenette, a private bathroom and a dining area, so meals with children stay simple. The garden and terrace offer outdoor space, and free private parking plus bicycle parking help if you arrive with a car or bikes for Vancouver Island outings. No pool or restaurant is listed. Guests rate it 8.5 on twelve reviews, a good sign for a small inn.
4.1Quality Inn
Waterfront & Harbour · 424 reviewsComfortable rooms with kitchenettes near Nanaimo Harbour
4.1Best Western Dorchester Hotel
Waterfront & Harbour · 948 reviewsHarbour views, downtown convenience, and pet-friendly stays in Nanaimo
Why guests love itI would recommend the Best Western Dorchester to families who want downtown Nanaimo with water in view. The hotel overlooks the harbour, directly across from the Seaplane Terminal, so watching the floatplanes take off is free entertainment for children. Parking and WiFi are free, which keeps a road trip simple, and rooms have coffee makers. The View restaurant has water vistas, and Top Notch Burgers in the lobby suits a casual meal. Pets are accepted.
3.8Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo
Waterfront & Harbour · 391 reviewsWaterfront access, complimentary breakfast, and select rooms with balconies
Why guests love itThe Harbourfront Walkway is about a six-minute walk away, so families can reach the Nanaimo waterfront on foot for an easy outing. Breakfast is complimentary each morning, which keeps the start of the day simple, and some rooms have balconies if you want a little extra space. A fitness centre and free WiFi complete a practical package. I would choose it for families who want the harbour within walking distance without paying for a waterfront hotel.
3.8Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
Waterfront & Harbour · 1242 reviewsBalcony rooms and a deluxe breakfast near the Nanaimo ferry terminal
Why guests love itTravelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo is minutes from the BC Ferries terminal and the city centre, which makes it an easy night before or after a crossing with children. A deluxe continental breakfast is included, many rooms have a private balcony, and some suites add a kitchen and dining area for families who want more space. Parking and WiFi are free. Guests rate it 7.6 from 1,242 reviews.
3.8Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo
Waterfront & Harbour · 1207 reviewsHarbour views, an indoor pool, and pet-friendly rooms on Vancouver Island
Why guests love itDays Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo is a useful family stop on Vancouver Island, about 5.5 km from the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, so it works well the night before or after a crossing. The heated indoor pool and hot tub give children something to look forward to, the on-site restaurant covers dinner, and the harbour views make the room more pleasant. Four rooms are designated pet-friendly. With a 7.5 rating across 1,207 reviews, I see it as a practical ferry-night base.
Local tips
- 1Ask for a harbour-facing room at the Coast Bastion Hotel, since rooms look onto either the ocean or the city.
- 2Book the Best Western Dorchester Hotel if you are flying in by floatplane: the Seaplane Terminal is directly across the street.
- 3Walk from downtown along the Harbourfront Walkway to Maffeo Sutton Park, where the seasonal ferry leaves for Newcastle Island.
- 4Pick the Courtyard by Marriott for an indoor pool and a hot tub near the harbour, keeping in mind the on-site casino.
- 5Choose the Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo for an early sailing, as the BC Ferries terminal is a few minutes away.
- 6Reserve the Quality Inn for a longer stay, since every room has a kitchenette and the Nanaimo Museum is eight minutes on foot.