Students

Studying in Nanaimo? Make the Painted Turtle Guesthouse your home-away-from-home during your studies.

Welcome! Wilkommen! Huanying! 

The Painted Turtle Guesthouse is your "home away from home" while studying in Nanaimo, British Columbia.  Secure, community-style living with private, furnished bedrooms and shared living spaces.  Located off-campus in the heart of downtown Nanaimo close to shops, services and attractions...and minutes away from Vancouver Island University. 

Download links: 

Brochure 

Application Form

Our Community.  Uniquely positioned for international students, the Painted Turtle Guesthouse is an integral part of historic downtown Nanaimo and the greater Vancouver Island community.  Students will feel an immediate sense of community and meet like-minded people from the region and around the world.  We offer common area amenities that encourage conversation and interaction. 

Our Student Destination.    We organize social events & tours/activities to ensure the BEST EVER Canadian experience!  Bookable TOURS to Tofino, Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler.   CALENDAR OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS including pumpkin carving at Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthday parties & Christmas.  

Rooms & Inclusions.    Student rooms are fully furnished with Queen or Twin size bed (student choice); Desk & Chair; Dresser & hanging closet;  FREE Wi-Fi in-room; TV cable and wired internet for additional fee; Smoke alarm and sprinkler system in each room.  Note: students share spotlessly clean, centralized bathrooms.   Rates include heat, light, hot water, wireless internet access and all furnishings:

Full Semester 4 months (Sep-Dec  OR  Jan-Apr)   $3,200*

ESL Semester 3 months (Oct-Dec)                       $2,350*

Monthly Rate (Oct-Apr)                                       $   850*

* Plus 5% tax

Capacity & Facilities

Total Capacity:  10 students

10 x Rooms

  4 x Central, private-use washrooms

• Internet kiosks and FREE Wireless access
• Late night study room available 9pm – 8am
• Fully equipped, self-catered kitchen
• Comfortable lounge with fireplace
• Dining area
• Foosball table, games, books, magazines
• Coin operated laundry open daily 2pm-8am

Safe & Secure Quality Assurance

VIU Referred accommodation

Locked Entry   ^■   24-hour staffed premises

Amenities & Services

• FREE bike storage access 8am-9pm
• FREE Help & Information desk 8am-9pm
• FREE telephone messaging & mail in/out service
• Payphone & long distance phone cards
• Bus stop to VIU at our front door
• Walk to downtown mall & major services
• Onsite ‘Turtle Store’ for toiletries & snacks
• Optional: Weekly Room Cleaning – $60/mnth
• Optional: Linen Rental - $40/stay
• Optional: Parking – $60/month