Located on Vancouver Island, the city of Nanaimo is 34 miles west of Vancouver, British Columbia, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Seaplanes and ferries cross the Strait of Georgia, connecting the mainland and Nanaimo, called the Hub City because it is the gateway to Western Canada's Gulf Islands. It is a prime location for hiking, bicycling, kayaking, golfing, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, camping and fishing. Nanaimo occupies a strip of land between the ocean and the mountains, which rise up directly behind town, where hikers are never far from a trail head. Wildlife abounds both on and off shore, including bald eagles, sea lions, harbor seals and orca whales. Local hotels offer sports and adventure packages.
Coast Bastion Inn
Every room has an ocean view in this harbor side hotel, close to the Harbour Walkway and the Old Quarter, dating back to Nanaimo's days as a mining town a century ago. Fishing charters at the nearby marina, bike storage and a package that includes accommodations and golfing at the 6,000-yard Fairwinds Golf Club make this hotel a choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Its Minnoz Restaurant and Lounge features fresh, local seafood, prime rib and rack of lamb.
11 Bastion St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 6E4 Canada
(+1) (250) 753-6601
coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/nanaimo/coast_bastion/overview
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Hotel guests have full-size balconies with either a mountain view or a garden view as well as a choice of rooms, suites or furnished townhouses. The hotel offers three different golf packages to Fairwinds, Morningstar or Nanaimo Golf Club and two extreme adventure packages, including bungee jumping over the Nanaimo River or a King Swing ride in a paragliding harness over steep canyon cliffs. The Hotel's Cornerstones Restaurant features local crab and mussels.
4898 Rutherford Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 4Z4 Canada
(+1) (877) 414-7263
thegrandhotelnanaimo.ca
Dorchester Nanaimo
The Dorchester Nanaimo, a Best Western, is a boutique hotel located across from the Seaplane Terminal downtown, along Nanaimo's inner harbor. Guests have a choice of rooms or deluxe, junior or family suites. The hotel has a large fitness room and connects visitors with providers of dive charters and sea kayaking adventures. Its restaurant, Deep Blue, specializes in the preparation of local, seasonal ingredients.
70 Church St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H4 Canada
(+1) (250) 754-6835
dorchesternanaimo.com
About The Author
A native of New York City, Karen Hursh Graber is a food and travel writer. A graduate of Fordham University, she is a regular contributor to El Restaurante Mexicano magazine and National Geographic Books. A winner of the magazine industry's Folio Award, she divides her time between Puebla, Mexico and Sarasota, Florida.
