I stayed here as part of a trip I did in the summer of 2008. It was a great hostel. The staff were very friendly, it was clean and a good location. For the money, you can't beat it. I am now 52 years old and wouldn't hesitate to go back. more

We stayed at the Painted Turtle for 2 nights in July. We arrived at the hostel and found the staff very helpful with both showing us around and also with advice on things to do in the area & throughout the island. The room was clean as were the shared bathrooms. The kitchen area offered plenty of room to prepare... more

The staff in this hostel are very professional and friendly. The hostel itself is VERY good. Clean and calming interiors and a good communal room to meet fellow guests. This is not a party hostel. There was a big mix of people staying here & quiet time is enforced, as is the communal room being closed before midnight. If you... more

Left this hostel this morning and wanted to confirm that this is a good place to stay . Clean and modern private room, clean rest rooms. kitchen area good enough for us and a group of 12 school kids to cook dinner at the same time! Even with that group the place was quiet. great bar next door as well... more

This was my 3rd stay at the guesthouse in downtown Naniamo, and will likely be my last. The Staff are very friendly and well informed of the local area. The accomodations are very clean, and the location of the hostel is very central. I enjoyed the moisturizing soap their despenser served, as it was the best in my travels to... more

This is an amazing hostel. Brand new, beautifully decorated, small rooms (4 beds each). Well equipped. Lovely individual bathrooms with showers. But the most special thing about this hostel is the community atmosphere that is deliberately cultivated by the owners, and encouraged by the rules they've set. After check in, you are taken to you room (and they help carry... more

Was advised not to come to Nanaimo, but was so glad I did! There is so much to do here and this property is simply amazing. They won best Hostel of the year across Canada, and I can see why they did. This place is funky....and so CLEAN! Cheers, Chris more

I stayed overnight in the private room at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse on Victoria Day, May 21, 2007. The room was comfortable and the public areas - the Great Room, which combines an open kitchen, dining area, two computers for internet access, foosball game and elegantly appointed living room, is a downright classy space to hang out in, if you're... more

This place was a big flop. I found a dead mouse in my room, there was no locker to store valuables, there was no TV, and the wireless was not working. There are also problems with the two computers, they shut down randomly but management will not get them repaired. I got a strong feeling that they just wanted my... more