The Spot

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Spot

Relax in a spacious room with a large bed, wooden headboard, and a bedside table with a lamp.
Relax in a spacious room with a large bed, wooden headboard, and a sliding door leading to an outdoor area.
Two-story building with a wooden staircase and a small porch area.
Relax in a compact living space with a flat-screen TV, sofa, and chair.
Enjoy a convenient kitchenette with a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and microwave.

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
950 Terminal Avenue N, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 4K4
  • Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD)
    ‪19 min drive‬

Room options

2 Queen Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(28 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Studio Suite, 1 King Bed, Kitchenette

  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

King Studio Suite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(39 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

The Spot

Motel with free parking, near Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
This motel features express check-in, express check-out, and a garden. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a picnic area and multilingual staff assistance.
The Spot offers 10 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Beds feature premium bedding. 50-inch Smart televisions come with cable channels. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads, and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
The Spot's great location gets high marks from our customers. During your stay, you'll be within walking distance of Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas and free self parking.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Services include a virtual front desk
  • Guests really like the accommodations for the cleanliness and comfy beds
  • Just a 3-minute drive from Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and a few minutes from Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee
As a guest of The Spot, you'll find multilingual staff, a garden, and a picnic area. Public spaces have free WiFi. The business-friendly The Spot also features express check-in and express check-out. Free self parking is available. A complete renovation of The Spot was completed in April 2022.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Nanaimo motel.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Things to do

  • Bicycle tours

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Virtual front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hand-held showerhead
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 floors
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Renovated entire property - April 2022

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 50-inch smart TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

  • Pets: CAD 20 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: CAD 20 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
This property does not have a front desk. Prior to arrival, guests must complete online registration with the property via a secure link. Guests will be asked to provide the property with a copy of their government-issued photo ID before arrival. Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email before arrival with check-in information and an access code. Guests can access their accommodation through a private entrance. A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests.
Property Registration Number 5032890
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Property is also known as

Colonial Motel Nanaimo
Colonial Nanaimo
The Spot Motel
Colonial Motel
The Spot Nanaimo
The Spot Motel Nanaimo

The Spot Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 308 out of 606 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 171 out of 606 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 70 out of 606 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 27 out of 606 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 30 out of 606 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hate the self check in and check out. SEL check out not working with my name and confirmation number
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

john

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Smelled, noisy, druggies walking around the property.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Camila

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This is our second time staying here and we really enjoyed it! The room was spacious, clean and modern. Check in was easy. This is our new go-to in Nanaimo!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marina

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great place for us and our pup! Very clean with easy check in and a dedicated pee area for the dogs. Would recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Debora

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I booked this room as I was looking for a pet friendly place to spend the night but I didn’t realize a few things. I wouldn’t call it a hotel, it is more like a motel. Thus, for a motel, as expected, it is noisy due to outside traffic. As soon as we entered in the room, we saw lots of ants in the room. This is kind of annoying.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Great place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Mackenzie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very loud. Road noise inside the room was as loud as if I were standing right by the road.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Thomas

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Prefer outside entrance too noisy inside of building can hear upstairs clients
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyra

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were very nice, had everything we needed. Nice patio area. Convenient check in.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jayme

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute little place!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adolfo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Would definitely recommend

We loved this boutique hotel. It was conveniently located close to the ferry and not too far from downtown. The room had a fridge, microwave, sink and a 2 burner stove. Not sure why some people were complaining about the check-in process? I thought it was very easy, you get an email that tells you when it's time to check-in and you get the door code. Easy, peasy!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Allen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was all right
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service

No service.

We had a difficult time checking in. We were not the only one, as two other guests also were struggling with the online check in. Fortunately, the housekeeper, Ruth, was very helpful in getting us all checked in. Without her, I wouldn't have been able to get in, as no one answered the alternative phone number. The toilet backed up and again we had to find the housekeeping staff to get it fixed. We had a very noisy neighbor and there was nobody to complain to. This hotel should break down and have a check in desk, as saving that cost is folly. I do not recommend this hotel, as pretty as the interior decorations were because there is no service.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good experience. Digital check in works well and hotel convenient for locations I needed to visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jaspreet

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Floor was a bit sticky otherwise great experience
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

graham

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Tv issues ie connxtns. Shower slippery. Check in took a bit long. Great that our room was cleaned when we went out later in the day
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Clean and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

stephany

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jasper Rene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meghan

Travelled with pets, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place, clean, nice setup, lovely staff. Thank you for an excellent stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Megan

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place

Awesome place. Clean and neat 👌 would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kira

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joe

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
I was very disappointed to say the least with my recent stay at The Spot Motel. There was the noise of footsteps coming from the room above me and it was constant from the time I got there around 7pm until about at least 2am in the morning. I needed to wake up at 3am for an early flight at the airport so as you can imagine, I did not have a very good sleep at all at night. This is now the third time that I have had the same experience staying at The Spot. I called the hot line number who said they would talk to the guests above but they did nothing to remedy the situation. It seems clear there was someone living up above on some sort of permanent basis. I had always like The Spot because of its location and that it was nicely appointed with recent renovations. But sadly, I will not be staying at The Spot again and will be sure to also advise friends to avoid this motel. Personally, I believe I should be getting a refund for my recent visit because it was such a very unsatisfactory stay.

8/10 Good

Jennifee

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025