Departure Bay Motel — Hotel in Nanaimo

I heard about a circumstance where family was sent down island do to medical reasons. This motel has ripped off the family, totally unacceptable. Here is the post:

So long story shortened for those that don't know "All about Dustin"

My son was hospitalized Oct 17th in campbell river transferred to Victoria General because we needed extreme care. He was there till Nov 26th when we were transferred to Nanaimo General. Having to stay in hotels/motels in the different cities we used the places that tge hostipal told us offered cheaper rates.

Victoria was challenging as we couldn't stay just in one place as everything was booked for weekends

In nanaimo we booked into THE DEPARTURE BAY MOTEL told them our story why we were there and not knowing when he would be transferred again to CR hostiptal I paid for 7 days $75 per day, when I went back to pay for the room again I had enough for 14 days and was told if I got transferred I would be reimbursed so I did. On Dec 16th I paid for what I thought was another 14 days, Dec 21st Dustin was transfered back here to CR Hospital

Well the motel told me after my daughter turned in the key that the would only reimburse for one week $609, but ey will not refund the 3 days left of the first 7days .... WHAT A SCAM !!! THEY SAID CAUSE I RENTED WEEKLY ... No i said 14days but the lady who took my payment put 2 weeks it's the same price as nightly though !!!

Sad how a motel the hospital uses for families from out of town could scam you so bad, I know it's only $225 but that would buy the medical equipment I need for Dustin now

The manager has not called me back once, I have left messages after messages and I only get to deal with clerks, who say they have refunded my card on the 24th for the 609 but it's still not there either

Update --- I called my credit card company there is nothing for a refund posting

And the motel told me they would refund me if we were transferred that's why I paid 14days instead of everyday ... if I would have known that they were goingbto keep 3days for $225 I would have paid nightly .... it was the same price anyway you calculated it !!!!

This place deserves to get a negative...

Stayed one night to sleep after a New Year’s party. Cheap price point, you get what you pay for.

Staff was kind, check-in and check-out was fast and easy. However, there was an overwhelming cologne smell in the lobby when I checked in and checked out.

Room was okay, I think they updated the rooms with paint and laminate floors. There was a tv, fridge, two hangers one chair inside the room and one outside by the door. There was a strange odor probably from the curtains or because their rooms are pet friendly. Left the window open the entire time I was away to air out the room and it didn’t really help. Cleanliness was lacking. There were brown stains in freezer. Mold around the soap dish in the shower. When I flipped the sheet cover over to get into bed, I found a black hair and dirt in the bed. I slept on top of the cover. I didn’t bother contacting the front desk as it was pretty late...

Booked directly with the motel for 08/06 and quoted price of $159.00. Ok for basic room and kitchenette. No dryer and no continental breakfast. Plus is close to the ferry. On the way back booked from Vancouver for 08/10. Called hotel directly to book room and was quoted $229. Explained that we had been there previous Sunday and that we had paid $159. They looked us up but said if we wanted to book we had to pay $229. We were in Room26 both times. Have tried to talk to the manager but no response. Felt that they were grifters. We travel on the ferry a lot and stay in Nanaimo but if we are going to pay over $200 for a room we will stay somewhere that has a hairdryer and a breakfast and there are lots of places to choose from. Definitely shafting customers. Will never stay there again and will share story will all of...