684 reviews
From
$3002011 Estevan Road, Nanaimo, V9S 3Y9, British Columbia, Canada
684 reviews
1/29
Free Private Parking
Free wifi
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Kitchen
Non-smoking rooms
Kitchenware
Kitchenette
Departure Bay Motel is a 2-star motel in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Located at 2011 Estevan Road, it sits about 1.9mi from the city center, offering a simple base with plenty of traveler stories already in the mix. The property has 684 reviews, shaping a well-traveled impression for curious guests.
Featured amenities bring practical comfort: pet-friendly (extra charges), private parking (free), wifi (free), a private entrance, and on-site parking (free). In-room conveniences include a kitchen, kitchenware, kitchenette, non-smoking rooms, balcony, and bathroom basics like free toiletries and a bathtub, plus a picnic area.
With 684 reviews informing the picture, this Nanaimo stay invites guests to embrace a straightforward, budget-minded stop at 2011 Estevan Road.
Options range from the cozy Queen Room to a spacious Suite, giving travelers a choice that fits solo stays, couples, or families. The Queen Room is 172 square feet, non-smoking, and sleeps 2 adults and 1 child with 1 Queen bed. A step up with a kitchenette—the Queen Room, Kitchenette—measures 205 square feet and features a Double bed. For more sleeping options, there’s Room - 2 Queen at 205 square feet with two Double beds, and Room - 2 Queen, Kitchenette offering two Queen beds. The largest option, Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchenette, spans 248 square feet and includes a sofa bed plus a Double bed, accommodating up to four adults and three children. Standard Room and Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, provide additional non-smoking layouts with varying occupancy and bed configurations. Room Selected At Check In offers another non-smoking option with flexible bedding where available.
Several layouts come with kitchen facilities, ideal for longer stays or light meal prep. The kitchenette setups appear in the Queen Room, Kitchenette; Room - 2 Queen, Kitchenette; and Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchenette, giving guests handy options without venturing far for a snack or coffee. Across these options, all listed rooms maintain a non-smoking policy.
Policy and payment details are straightforward: pets are allowed with possible charges. When it comes to payment, cash is not accepted; accepted methods include American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. On-site, free parking is available, and private parking is also free, adding a convenient perk for travelers with wheels.
Closest airports
Nanaimo Airport
10.4miQualicum Beach Airport
22.1miVancouver International Airport
35.4miVictoria International Airport
44.7miComox Valley Airport
55miFree Private Parking
Free wifi
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Kitchen
Non-smoking rooms
Kitchenware
Kitchenette
Picnic area
Balcony
Free toiletries
Bathtub
Show 8 photos
Room - 2 Queen
2 Double Beds
205 sqft
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Private entrance
Microwave
+
More details
Show 7 photos
Suite, 1 Bedroom, Kitchenette
1 Sofa Bed
1 Double Bed
250 sqft
Kitchen
Private Bathroom
Kitchenette
Balcony
x4
+
x3
More details
Show 4 photos
Queen Room
1 Queen Size Bed
170 sqft
Private Bathroom
Bathtub
Private entrance
Microwave
+
More details
Show 4 photos
Queen Room, Kitchenette
1 Double Bed
205 sqft
Kitchen
Private Bathroom
Kitchenette
Bathtub
More details
Show 8 photos
Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom
Free wifi
Microwave
Flat-screen TV
Refrigerator
+
More details
Show 4 photos
Standard Room
Pet Friendly
Free wifi
Microwave
Flat-screen TV
+
More details
Room - 2 Queen, Kitchenette
2 Queen Size Beds
Kitchenette
More details
Room Selected at Check in
More details
7.3
684 reviewsCategories of assessments
Cleanliness
Comfort
Location
Facilities
Staff
Value for money
WiFi quality
Featured reviews:
Erin
10
July 2025
I think this hotel was the best value of our month-long trip. I would stay here again & gladly recommend it. For the price, it was perfect. Checkin was smooth. Staff was gracious. Bed was comfortable. Grocery in walking distance.
The only thing I really disliked was the a/c unit was in living room so bedroom was mildly warm. Not terribly hot but I would have liked it in reverse. Still, good value!
Tammy
10
August 2025
The location was perfect, in between 2 grocery places, a Dairy Queen and even tho we were late the manager stayed late to make our arrival perfect! The owner/ manager was professional at all times.
Not a thing, the room had a coffee area, a fridge, microwave and quiet! It was great as I was fairly ill. The hot shower remained hot even tho we used a lot of it
Barrett
10
August 2025
Great location , friendly staff , quiet , really nice renovated room that I stayed in . Very nice shower !
Lack of parking near my room , but partially my own fault as I was a late check in , and most other guests were probably checked in and parked way before me . No bath robes , not a huge issue just would’ve been nice and most places I have stayed do provide them
Fumbler
8.2
October 2023
The owners know how to run a hotel business, a lot of Canadian owners could learn a lot from this couple. I nice place to stay, on waking distance from the ferry. It is a bit of an uphill hike, but just one street. Be sure to go east to the traffic lights after leave the terminal building. Otherwise you can not cross the ferry-feeding-roads. Great hike nearby in a park towards the sea.
Please get rid of the horrible cold-white lights and bring in some warm ones. This will improve the atmosphere in the room a lot.
Nathalie
9.1
June 2025
Easy drive from ferry/ great staff, clean and neat. Comfortable. It’s obviously not the $1000 a night Fairmont Victoria, it is an older motel that the owners are working very hard to make as comfortable as they can- staff could not have been more helpful
Nothing really- value for what we paid. Maybe aircon a bit noisy- but not a deal breaker
Jonas
8.2
April 2025
very comfortable, slept well, bed was great, loved the blinds, bathroom was newly renovated , well appointed and serviceable, staff was terrific, no real loud noise,
entry needs updating, as door was leeking air and should have seals replaced, and kitchette alto serviceable could use a little tender loving care, but otherwise everything was really good.
Kathy
8.2
August 2023
The room was adequate for what I needed and clean. The bonus was having the fridge, microwave and coffee maker. So I was able to have my tea and keep some things cold. The room was nice and bright with A/C to keep the room cool and reasonably quiet as well as being pretty quiet for having the hwy. fairly close. The staff were very helpful, friendly and welcoming especially Krissy a very nice young lady who was very accomadating about my luggage and even called me when my room was ready as well as taking the time to chat with when I checked out. Also was a very convenient location, close to the hwy. and shopping center. I would definitely stay again, not the most glamorous motel but had everything that was needed.
The location was a little difficult to find but once you knew where it was it was easy to find again.
Karen
8.2
June 2023
The room was comfortable and clean. The BC Ferry to Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver, is only about a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Very convenient.
When I arrived in the evening, the staff member told me that the hotel was actually closed (new owners); and that I had been sent an e-mail two days before advising me of this. Since I had not responded to their e-mail (I had not seen it yet), they would let me stay the night. Just to add to the confusion, they then told me that the hotel was actually open; but I would be the only guest. This was not true. There ended up being two other guests that night. The staff were very helpful, but seemed confused themselves. The motel was fine; but I would be cautious booking there again because of the weird turn of events.
A
8.2
June 2024
We arrived late in the evening and were met with great hospitality. Also, the rooms were spotless. Overall, I was very impressed and think the Departure Bay Motel offers excellent value.
The mattress was good, but the frame seemed to tilt down a bit right at my head, leaving me with a weird sensation that my head was slightly lower than my body. In the end, it didn't matter and I had a great sleep anyway.
David
8.2
May 2024
This is a classic style motel. Its beauty is it’s a short walk to the Nanaimo ferry to Vancouver and it’s clean. I found the bed very comfortable, as good as more expensive hotels. Staff is excellent, very friendly. I parked my Motorcycle out front of my room and it was safe all night. Just like the picture shows.
Nothing really. It’s not the Hilton so don’t expect that and you’ll be pleased.
Airports
Nanaimo Airport
10.4miQualicum Beach Airport
22.1miVancouver International Airport
35.4miVictoria International Airport
44.7miComox Valley Airport
55miAirports
Nanaimo Airport
10.4miQualicum Beach Airport
22.1miVancouver International Airport
35.4miVictoria International Airport
44.7miComox Valley Airport
55miAttractions
Gulf Islands
25.2miBowen Island
29.7miFree Private Parking
Free wifi
Private entrance
Parking On Site
Kitchen
Non-smoking rooms
Kitchenware
Kitchenette
Picnic area
Balcony
Free toiletries
Bathtub
Accessibility
Entire unit located on ground floor
Bathroom
Bathtub
Bathtub or shower
Free toiletries
Private Bathroom
Shower
Toilet
Toilet paper
Towels
Bedroom
Linens
Business Facilities
Fax/Photocopying
Cleaning Services
Daily housekeeping
Laundry
Food & Drink
Tea/Coffee maker
Vending machine (drinks)
Vending machine (snacks)
Front Desk Services
Private check-in/out
General
Designated smoking area
Family rooms
Hardwood or parquet floors
Heating
Non-smoking rooms
Pet Friendly
Private entrance
Smoke-free property
Internet
Free wifi
Kitchen
Cleaning products
Coffee machine
Electric kettle
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Kitchenware
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Media & Technology
Cable channels
Flat-screen TV
Telephone
TV
Outdoors
Balcony
BBQ facilities
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Parking
Free Private Parking
Parking On Site
Room Amenities
Fan
Iron
Safety & security
CCTV in common areas
CCTV outside property
Fire extinguishers
Key access
Security alarm
Smoke alarms
Safety features
First aid kits available
Services
Wake-up service
Pets are allowed. Charges may apply.
WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
The minimum age for check-in is 21
Come and go whenever you want
Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome.
Children 18 and above will be charged as adults at this property.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
0+ years
Additional fees are not calculated automatically in the total cost and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
The maximum number of cribs, extra beds, and children allowed in existing beds can vary depending on the option booked.
All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.
No capacity for cribs.
Visa,
Mastercard,
American Express,
Discover
This property does not accept cash.
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