Hotel Ramada a Nanaimo

Very basic hotel, they do not have any luggage storage (apparently a management decision since covid), breakfast is sausage links and cheese omelette patties that have been reheated from frozen. A few other things like grocery store bread for toast and a couple of apples and oranges. Front desk is all screened off like the covid era, but also lots of prominent signage that they don’t keep cash on premise. Gives off the general feeling that there are some safety issues, perhaps for both staff and guests. Rooms are only surface cleaned - lots of dust on light fixtures, stains on rugs, bathroom spaces not wiped that well, must smell, etc. Limited room decor, no paintings or anything. Very drab, beige space. My room had a small balcony, ash tray on table so maybe a plus if you smoke (although rooms are supposedly non-smoking). Back side of the hotel was relatively quiet, that’s the only positive thing I can say. Limited amenities outside the room - no pool, no ice machines (at least not on my floor, and no indications where they are), only one slow elevator (use the stairs if you can). Also in a weird area of Nanaimo right off the #1 highway that’s a bit of a dead zone. There are no restaurants, coffee shops, etc. that are all that close, besides an Italian/pizza restaurant that is only open in the evenings and most days only for takeout. If you’re of average mobility, you’re a 10-15 minute walk from the main action in the central harbour area. Relatively easy going to get there (downhill, some routes have stairs), but a bit of uphill walking back. For the nightly rate charged compared to other properties - including the 2-3 major hotels that actually are in the harbour area - this is not a property I will ever be back to. If you’re just driving through, need a place to put your head for the night, and every other place is booked then this might be an option. Otherwise I would avoid at all costs.