I checked the tripadvisor reviews after I made my reservations and I was a little worried, but it was fine. No, it wasn't a deluxe stay that's for sure, but for $89/night I wasn't expecting it to be a 5-star property.
I think it was good value for the money.
The room was clean,the bed was pretty comfortable and everything worked. I was also pleasantly suprised to get a voucher for a free hot breakfast in the hotel restaurant for each morning of my stay.
I didn't experience any problems with noise and didn't feel unsafe.
I appreciated the free wireless internet and free parking too.
Yes, the Coast Hotel in Nanaimo is newer and for sure nicer, but it was also twice the price. I was satisfied with my stay considering the price I paid.

You get what you pay for but with a little extra effort and minimal cost, the hotel could be improved. The bathroom needed work to remove black mould from around the bath tub. However, in general the rooms were clean and everything worked.
It is adjacent to the seafront and Millstone Creek walkways which provided a pleasant way to get some exercise.

This place was a time machine. I walked into the lobby in 2009 and was taken promptly back to the 1980s!! Dated, tired and overall a bit cheesey. The room was clean and very spacious and if you like 80s decor then you'll love the furnishings. The bed was lumpy but comfortable enough and the room was well equipped with all the mod cons. There was a loud buzzing noise coming from somewhere outside which might have been something to do with the air con or pool.

My partner enjoyed a swim in the large pool but in the evenings it seems to act like a magnet to loud drinkers, who would come and booze it up. We didn't get much sleep due to this roudy noise but to be fair it wasn't the hotel's fault. Although there is a liquor shop right next door.

The reception staff were very friendly and helpful and the breakfast was good - a hearty full English fry up with toast and preserves. Great coffee too. The location was also a bonus as it was only a short walk to Nanaimo's beautiful harbour which is packed with fabulous eateries. There is also a superb restaurant nearby called Mrs Riches where we ate 2 nights in a row as it served the best food we experienced in Canada and would definitely recommend it.

The hotel was fine for 2 nights and provides a good base to explore the area. But it's tired, in need of a good lick of paint and a little bit souless. Saying that, you get what you pay for and we paid peanuts!

First, I have to say that the staff were pleasant, and I feel badly for them that they have to work in such a place.

I actually didn't end up staying there ... I walked in, and walked back out 5 minutes later.
I arrived at the Howard Johnson, after my cab ride from the Nanaimo airport. The cab driver actually told me its where all the junkies go!!! :-( It was an old slummy bar with a very bad reputation in this little city, prior to becomming the HoJo. The building/location itself still has a very bad reputation!!!
I also discovered that it is actually attached to a bus station in the back ... ATTACHED! Noisey!
It also shares a parking lot with the local liquer store.

I went into my room, and the top of my door actually didn't shut. There was a actualy hole at the top of my door!!! Wreaked of smoke!!!

But the worst part, was that right beside my room, with my tissue paper door, there was a door to the outside area by the bus station, left wide open ... completelty unmonitored!!! So anyone, and I mean anyone ... can just waltz right in to the hotel ... God forbid the door locks don't hold up!

There is a grimmy bar, also attached to the bus station in the back, and therefore attached to the actual hotel ... just behind the hotel ... they don't show any of this in their pictures ...
Stay AWAY .. stay far far away!!!