Leisure & Family

Staying in a Guesthouse on Vancouver Island is an enjoyable, sociable and inexpensive accommodation option – a great way to meet like-minded travelers while immersing yourself in the fresh air, coastal sounds & characters of Canada’s West Coast.

If you are taking a holiday or vacation to experience Vancouver Island, or to visit friends and family in Nanaimo the Painted Turtle Guesthouse is a great home-away-from-home.  Our heritage hotel rooms are clean, comfortable and simple and our affordable price allows you to spend more on your favourite dining and activity experiences. Downtown Nanaimo has over 40 restaurants & cafes featuring local & world cuisines.  We are one block from the harbourfront walkway with 5km of multi-use trails, Fisherman’s Wharf, swimming lagoon, parks & playground, unique shops, marinas and more!

Set up ‘Basecamp’ at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse and stay 3-5 nights in Nanaimo and take day trips to experience the best of Vancouver Island.  Surf in Tofino.  Zip Line across the Nanaimo River.  Hug an ancient tree in Cathedral Grove.  Visit major attractions like Buschart Gardens, Empress Hotel, BC Museum in the capital region of Victoria.  Go caving at Horne Lake Caves. Take the gondola to the top of Mount Washington.  Hike many of the trails on Strathcona Provincial Park.  Visit the wineries & artisan farmers of Cowichan Valley.

Families, couples, single travelers welcome - you may arrive as a guest but you will surely leave as a friend!