Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
brightly decorated, and each has a desk, coffee-making facilities, a small fridge, and wire-
less Internet connections.
$100-150
As you'd expect, accommodations right downtown are more expensive than those farther
out. A bit nicer than you'd expect from the bland exterior, the Best Western Dorchester
Nanaimo Hotel (70 Church St., 250/754-6835 or 800/661-2449,
www.dorchesternanaimo.com , $120-160 s or d) offers water views and a rooftop terrace
from a central location. Rooms in this historical building won't win any design awards, but
they are relatively modern, many have water views, and wireless Internet access is free.
Also right downtown, the Coast Bastion Inn (11 Bastion St., 250/753-6601 or 800/
716-6199, www.coasthotels.com , from $159 s or d) is a full-service, 179-room hotel with an
exercise room, café, the contemporary Minnoz Restaurant, water views from every room,
and free wireless Internet.
Camping
Two commercial campgrounds lie within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the city center,
but the nicest surroundings are out at Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park
( www.newcastleisland.ca , $16), connected to downtown by regular passenger ferry service.
The island isn't suitable for RVers, but it's ideal for those with a lightweight tent. Facilities
include picnic tables and a barbecue shelter. Sites are $16.
The closest of the commercial campgrounds to downtown is Westwood Lake RV
Camping and Cabins (380 Westwood Rd., 250/753-3922,
www.westwoodlakecampgrounds.com , tents $26, hookups $32, basic cabins $70-85 s or d),
set on the edge of beautiful Westwood Lake. Amenities include canoe rentals, a barbecue
area, game room, laundry facility, and hot showers.
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground (6 Maki Rd., 250/755-1755,
www.campingbc.com , $26-41) is on 20 hectares (49 acres) of coastal forest at the braided
mouth of the Nanaimo River south of downtown. The location is delightful and facilities
modern, including a laundry room, general store, game room, and coin showers.
FOOD
Cafes
Commercial Street, in the heart of downtown, is lined with cafes. Serious Coffee (60
Commercial St., 250/591-1065, 7am-6pm daily), in the Nanaimo Museum complex, is one
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