Campbell Cottage

Anthea even picked us up from Depature Bay in her car. She was lovely, respectful, helpful, and kind, and the Campbell Cottage was a really great place to stay. The room and bathroom were super clean and tidy. Her Dackel were cute, playful, and friendly too. I can recommend the place without hesitation. Thank you so much 🙏

The breakfast was amazing, with lots of fresh fruit, homemade granola and muesli, different breads for eating fresh or toasting, and croissants. Best of all, the host cooked eggs however you liked, fresh from her own chickens. Our room was clean, comfortable, nicely presented, and had excellent facilities. The host was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed the stay, and anyone looking for somewhere in Nanaimo should come here.

We’d come to BC to celebrate my 70th anniversary, and after an early start, delays at the US/CN border, and a long wait for the ferry, we finally reached Nanaimo at 6pm. At 6:15pm we stopped outside this house, which I wouldn’t have booked if I’d seen it first. The door was shut, a group of dogs were barking at the window, and a note said, “You are late.” We had to find somewhere else to stay. The owner charged me for the night and refused a refund. Later she compared the place to a store that closes at 6pm and isn’t expected to be open at 6:15pm. But this is hospitality, and owners should make arrangements for late check-in, perhaps with a digital lock and email instructions as many places do. Instead, she took what felt like the easy way out and kept my money. Booking.com rejected my review. I’m almost sure she complained because we hadn’t stayed there. That’s true, but I still think people should know this could happen and decide whether to book. A listed check-in time is normally treated as a desired time. If it’s mandatory and enforced, the owner should make that clear in bold at the start, rather than putting it somewhere near the end. I kept a copy of the note on the door and a photo of the house showing when we were there.

This felt less like a professional B&B and more like a small home renting out one room. The elderly host sleeps in the attic, and the other “room” is some kind of sewing room or office. There was no privacy, with a host constantly praising herself, barking dogs, and a smelly cat. I’ve stayed at traditional B&Bs around the world, and this one was beyond strange.