Painted Turtle Guesthouse

The front desk staff were friendly, but that was the only good part of my stay. The facilities were very run down and not clean. The room clearly had not been deep cleaned in some time because the mattress box was filthy and needed a vacuum. I wasn't sure if I was looking at dead bed bugs or rat poop or just years worth of crumbs. Not a good situation to be in right before bed. I would highly encourage others to stay in a hotel instead, especially for the price I was charged.

We did not stay here, there was bed bugs on couches in the common areas and bugs in our room, we decided we’d be more comfortable sleeping on the airport floor. I want a refund. Do not stay here if you’re considering it.

It’s unfortunate that HI advertises all their hostels as having a standard for quality - I’ve been to dozens of HIs and other hostels around the world for many years, but the Nanaimo HI Painted Turtle fell very short of meeting the expectations we had from positive voice of mouth and from the HI standards. It seemed to me the management was recently changed and have no training or competence whatsoever in maintaining a quality hostel where one can spend a couple affordable nights in. Everything from the lack of toilet paper and empty soap dispensers, to walls dirty, stained and patched up with no paint, to broken window frames that won’t close, dismal waste management and no recycling, and suspicious stains and hair in the linens and bedsheets - the only thing this building had going for itself was the lack of bedbugs. But this is also promptly forgotten after witnessing the large number of long-term residents paying surprisingly high rent, some of them (or their unwelcome guests) smoking cigarettes and yelling drunk slurs into the hallways late at night. Get your act together HI, I expect better.

My roommate found bedbugs in her bed when she complained about it the staff told her to just move up en bed, they did not even change the linen on her bed. When I first arrived my bed had something looking like blood stains on it and the floor behind my bed looked like it had never been cleaned. When I complained about the bedbug situation the stad was apologetic and they told me that they would hire an exterminator. I and my roommate were moved to a new room. When I walked pas the old room I saw that they were airing it out and that all the beds were made to welcome new guests. And next day there was indeed someone new in the room. It is very gross to but people in that situation. This is not a good hostel.

1 star for the bed bugs , and a 🕷 I catch on my bed If you care about your health don't book here Sorry from the receptionist don't solve the issue guys, be more professional please 🙏

It does the trick. The staff is really trying to make a difference but with some of the long term resudence and revolving door of the less privileged population it can only be alright at best. It's very run down. During my recent visit there were a nice infestation often could be heard rummishung through people's fod as well as bed bugs in a few of the rooms. I believe they were working on getting it under control when I left! Definitely the absolute worst HI hostel I have stayed at. Likely wouldn't recommend it with out drastic improvements, including some of the occupants! The staff was fantastic though! Gary is working very hard to improve the property. NO qualms with him! He is doing everything he can to better and improve the property. And little Jason was great! Location is right down town which is good for travellers looking to explore and go out at night. You need to be street wise at night. Be careful!

Acosed use of stealling laundry that was not cool hade 8000 grand why wood we steal they said they hade camera fotage asd to see but woodent show us wait us up at 12 30 am knocked on her door like a police officer I asked him to see the footage or I'm going to phone the police we got refunded our money and we never did do nothing cuz you know what they never showed it to us and we were adamant to see it they wouldn't show us nothing but accuse does adamantly we did not steal it and they also told me to not give a bad review and now that I know how to work my phone better I'm doing what I'm supposed to do telling the truth bed bugs all over that place too it was a young kid that was I guess bisexual and yeah he made a big scene for free when we didn't even do nothing but we did like I said and I'm getting our money back and we left that's enough go to visit British Columbia and you know that's how we get treated not very nice