Nanaimo, Vancouver Island B.C. |
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Your Hosts
Dave, Marlene & Christopher
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Media Articles & RecognitionBelow are articles that have appeared in newspapers, magazines and guidebooks about The Buccaneer Inn. Best Hiking Trips in British Columbia "Nanaimo's highest rated motel since 1998, this marine-themed gem shines amid the port town's neon-drenched chains. From goose down duvets to wood burning fireplaces, quality rules here quietly. Owner Dave and Marlene Ilyn go the extra mile, from real cream to eco-friendly paper products - all just 3 blocks from Departure Bay terminal." Only accommodation in Nanaimo listed. Detailed information about a day hike around Newcastle Island Provincial Park. Buccaneer Inn "Handy for the Departure Bay ferry terminal, this excellent family-run motel has an immaculate white paint job that probably needs to be redone every few months. The equally spick-and-span rooms are cozy and most have kitchenettes. If you can stretch to a spacious top-end suite, it'll come with a fireplace, full kitchen an flat screen TV. Your friendly hosts, Dave and Marlene, offer a level of service far in excess of most motels (including a post checkout shower for those sticking around the area) and they have plenty of good suggestions for exploring the region."
Buccaneer Inn "Handy for the Departure Bay ferry terminal, this family-run motel has an immaculate white paint job. The neat and tidy approach is carried over into the maritime-theme rooms, many with kitchenettes. Splurge on a spacious suite and you'll have a with fireplace, full kitchens and flat screen TV's."
Buccaneer Inn Goes 100% Smoke Free Canadian Tourism Commission Tourism Daily Newsletter, June 19, 2008 & Following the lead of the Vancouver Island Health Authority and in response to guest requests, The Buccaneer Inn recently implemented a 100% smoke-free policy. All rooms and the surrounding property of The Buccaneer Inn have been designated smoke free. The response has been wholeheartedly supportive. Buccaneer Inn Donates to Mt. Benson Fund and Issues Challenge NALT still needs funds for Benson, Nanaimo Daily News, November 1, 2007, page 5 Donations are still needed, but the Nanaimo Area Land Trust is seeing more money coming in for its Mount Benson campaign. The organization faces a February deadline to pay its $500,000 share of its part in the purchase of private land near the summit of the mountain. On Wednesday, NALT announced that another Nanaimo tourist business, the Buccaneer Inn, is committing a pledge of $5,000 over five years, and $1 they collect until the end of the year on each room rented each night. The Buccaneer pledge follows a challenge from the Living Forest Campground, which pledged $5,000 and $1 per night per campsite over a number of weeks. NALT executive director Gail Adrienne said that Living Forest has now raised a total of $10,125 toward the Mount Benson purchase. Now, said Adrienne, the Buccaneer is challenging other tourist businesses in the city to do the same. Any business interested in taking up the challenge can reach NALT at 714-1990. Though Adrienne said momentum appears to be building with good size donations now appearing, she said they are still very much in need of every possible donation, large or small. "It's definitely moving up and the size of the donations are increasing," she said. "But there's still a long way to go and we need more help." NALT is one of our community's most effective organizations and are a steward of the lands we cherish here. We feel this is a very worthy cause and would ask that anyone interested in making a contribution to this or any other NALT campaign contact them at 714-1990 or at nalt.bc.ca. Thanks for helping out. Dave and Marlene Buccaneer Inn Invests in New Nanaimo Museum "The Nanaimo District Museum Society would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors for their continued support of our new home. Buccaneer Inn, Mine Rescue Rebreather, $2500 level" Buccaneer Inn "Handy for the Departure Bay ferry terminal, this family-run motel has an immaculate white paint job that probably needs to be redone every few months (actually once a year but we do keep the exterior of our motel spotless as well!). The spick-and-span rooms have a cozy, nautical theme and most have kitchenettes. If you can stretch to the spacious top-end suites, they come with fireplaces, full kitchens and flat screen TV's. The friendly owners have plenty of good suggestions for how to explore the regions. Buccaneer Inn "With white stucco walls and amazing fuchsia/indigo awnings the Buccaneer Inn has a Mediterranean flair. But it's in a quiet, back street location and its actually the closest accommodation to BC Ferries Departure Bay terminal. The spacious studios and suites (one is a fireplace suite) all have separate private bath; suites all have kitchens. DELUXE ACCOMMODATION." Hidden British Columbia has also named us a 'Hidden Gem'. According to their guidebook, "This means that you have come upon a place off the beaten tourist track, a spot that will carry you a step closer to the local people and natural environment of British Columbia & the Yukon." We are very proud to have earned this distinction. Nanaimo's Buccaneer Inn earns its praise
Sleeping Around In B.C. Some people like to go places and others just like to sleep around. Whatever your inclination, British Columbia offers a variety of accommodation options. As well as the traditional restful bed and bath, many travel lodgings these days offer a range of amenities and services to attract travelers. Not only are they places to relax en route to your destination; sometimes they have become destinations in their own right. Throughout the summer and fall, we will take you inside different places to stay in B.C. that reflect the diversity of both the accommodations and regions of the province. We will visit hotels, inns, resorts, B & B's and more. Hope you enjoy your stay. Family-friendly accommodation for active travelers: The Buccaneer Inn is the kind of place you could just drive right by without realizing what has earned it guidebook accolades, rave guest reviews and a Canada Select 3.5 Star rating. But for those looking for a place that is clean, comfortable and economical, while offering a range of support for active travelers, the Buccaneer is well worth checking out. Dave and Marlene, the owners, are world travelers who estimate they've stayed in more than 1500 accommodations ranging from hotels to hostels, motels to roadside fields. Their experiences have provided them the knowledge to, in their words, "provide their guests with a spotlessly clean and restful environment where everyone feels at home and where customer service is the sole measuring stick." They chose Nanaimo because of its oceanside environment and proximity to a range of outdoor activities and attractions. They are both knowledgeable about the area, involved in the community and a great source for maps, day tour guides and itineraries and recommended restaurants. The total of 13 rooms includes two large apartment-style suites (one with wood-burning fireplace) with full kitchens, nine one-bedroom kitchen suites and two studios. Most of the rooms have views over Departure Bay, Newcastle Island and/or Newcastle Channel. All the suites are roomy and feature high-quality, comfortable beds and linens. Thoughtful details include coffee makers with good coffee and selection of beds, and a basket with playing cards and games. In addition to full kitchens in most suites, a sundeck in the back offers picnic tables, patio furniture and a barbeque. The Inn caters to outdoor enthusiasts in a number of ways. For cleaning up yourself and your equipment after an active day, there are guest laundry facilities, after-checkout shower facilities and an outdoor rinse station. A recreational equipment dryer and indoor heated gear storage facilities help to keep diving, cycling and other gear free of dreaded moulds. Secure storage facilities are available for kayaks, bikes and other equipment. And fishing enthusiasts can use the freezer to prepare their catch for travel. As well, its location near the ferry terminal is perfect for kayakers or cyclists who want or are able to leave their car behind. Just two blocks from the Buccaneer, we launched our kayaks an spent a great day exploring Newcastle Channel and Newcastle Island before paddling over to the Dinghy Dock, a floating pub on Protection Island, for lunch. Nanaimo and its adjacent islands are renowned for excellent kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. The downtown waterfront area has been beautifully redeveloped with a walkway and shops overlooking the marina and busy harbour. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Nanaimo Museum with exhibits including First Nations and coal-mining history. Across the street, the Bastion, built in 1853 as a Hudson's Bay Company fort is the third-oldest building in the province. The downtown and arts and heritage districts offer a range of art galleries, shops and fine restaurants to explore. A variety of parks, beaches, hiking and biking trails are scattered throughout the city. If you're looking to explore further afield, Nanaimo makes a great base for exploring north to the Parksville and Qualicum Beach area, south as far as Duncan and the Cowichan Valley or west to Port Alberni and Pacific Rim National Park. Buccaneer Inn Earns Coveted CAA/AAA Diamond Rating “Earning a Diamond Rating means that a property has undergone a rigorous evaluation process,” said Michael Petrone, director, CAA/AAA Tourism Information Development. “CAA/AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the most respected restaurant and lodging rating system in the industry. Having a Diamond Rating tells travelers and guests about the quality of facilities and services they can expect.” “We are extremely pleased to have earned this award,” said Dave Ilyn and Marlene Peaker, owners. “It is recognition of the hard work that goes into operating The Buccaneer Inn. We have spent the past 9 years redefining and improving our motel. We are especially pleased the CAA/AAA has chosen The Buccaneer Inn as Nanaimo’s only approved motel.” The Buccaneer Inn is located on Stewart Avenue, 3 blocks south of Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. The Inn offers personal B & B services and hotel amenities at motel prices. The Buccaneer Inn features Newcastle Channel view kitchen suites in a cosy beachhouse theme decorated with local art, down duvets and offers high speed wireless internet access, books, games, a BBQ deck and dive gear storage. They specialize in diving and snorkelling with the seals packages. More than 44,000 properties are evaluated by CAA/AAA each year. To be considered for CAA/AAA approval and rating, lodgings undergo a thorough inspection by one of CAA/AAA’s 65 full-time, professional evaluators. Diving in Vancouver - Part II
The proprietors, Dave and Marlene, are familiar with the unique needs of diving guests, and have created a secure drying/storage area for gear and suits. When you return from your dives, there is a fresh water rinse, and if you’ve already checked out, they have a shower and fresh towels downstairs so that you can freshen up and enjoy the rest of the day without the salty grit. Just a few minutes from the Buccaneer Inn, you’ll find Ocean Explorers Diving, one of the oldest and most experienced dive operators in Nanaimo. The two establishments maintain a close relationship and offer convenient dive/lodging packages. The Ocean Explorers shop is basically across the street and down the block from Buccaneer Inn. You can walk, or if your gear is less manageable, you can drive over. Generally, for the morning dives, you’ll meet at the shop at 09:00am, where you’ll be greeted by the divemaster as well as by the owner. The charter includes tanks and weights, and Nitrox is available for a nominal fee. Ian, the owner, is one of the friendliest people in scuba, and is extremely knowledgeable about local diving, conditions, and history. Prior to boarding, Ian and his staff will help ensure that everyone is fully equipped and prepared for the trip. This “no surprises” approach is thorough and uncovered several potential “gotchas” for some of my fellow divers, but because they handle this in such a helpful and accommodating manner, missing hoses and faulty computers were replaced in a jiffy. Ocean Explorers has two charter boats. The 22.5’ “Seastar” is quicker and can nimbly navigate sites like Dodd Narrows, where a larger craft can be unwieldy. However, if there are six or more divers on board, you’ll likely take the 53’ “Christie Bay No. 1”, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) patrol boat. This larger boat has a dry area below deck that is great for changing and relaxing in between dives. Our first dive was on the Cape Breton, a WWII Naval Vessel that was sunk in 2001 just off Snake Island. At 441’ in length, she is the second largest diver prepared artificial reef in the world (only the Spiegel Grove in Florida is larger). She lies in roughly 130 feet of water, with her deck at 110. Like most artificial reefs of this size, the Cape Breton has several mooring buoys. A favorite place to tie up is the center line which leads down to the funnel at 70’. From that midship point, you can choose to go towards the bow or stern. With good air consumption and favorable conditions, it’s certainly possible to navigate the entire ship. She sank quite quickly, and when her 22 million tons came crashing into the ocean floor, her deck buckled and she split open on the port side, and crumpled on the starboard. It was right around the ripple in the deck where I saw my first swimming scallop. Having never seen such a thing, my first concern was that I might be narced, but as I watched the scallop flutter off and reposition itself, I knew that I just witnessed something special. Aft of the funnel, you’ll find the skylights which lead to the engine room. Here, and at various entry points around on the wreck, you’ll find signs reminding divers that penetration should only be attempted by those with proper training and equipment. In this particular case, the engine room is also considered an advanced penetration because of the depth. While the ship rests in 130 feet, the Breton’s dramatic landing caused her keel to bury itself well past the mud line so you’ll find the bottom of the engine room well below 145 feet (depending on the tide). The entire ship is decorated with many plumose anemones (metridium giganteum), orange and white alike, but if you continue aft you’ll find them in such great abundance that the helideck has also been nicknamed “mushroom garden”. Even the jellies can grow to be enormous in these nutrient rich waters. Twisted around a railing near the wheel house, we found a giant Sea Blubber jelly whose disc was easily larger than a man’s torso. During our extended surface interval, Divemaster Terry explained that there is an engraved disc/token on each of the wrecks (actually there are two on the Cape Breton) that entitles the finder to a Citizen dive watch courtesy of Citizen Watches and Grassick's Jewelers in Nanaimo. Despite the fact that they are regularly cleaned to prevent overgrowth, the one on the Saskatchewan has eluded thousands of would be treasure hunters for eight years. The RivTow Lion, the newest artificial reef in Nanaimo, also bore a treasure token until recently. A very pleased Johanna R., who was visiting from Edmonds, Washington, claimed it just last weekend. HMCS Saskatchewan was sunk in 1997, and lies just a few hundred feet from the former HCMS Cape Breton. We tied up to her radar tower whose present mooring line is unusually thick. As I descended, I couldn’t help but feel like a child whose hand barely makes it all the way around his dad’s finger. The top of the radar tower is in 45’, which was still a bit hazy as far as visibility was concerned. As I descended past 60 feet, the ship, and its bridge, with which I was nearly level, suddenly went from a blur to a clear image. The fact that this wreck is several years older is apparent from the lush covering of life. Some of the inhabitants of this wreck were larger as well. Just below the bridge, I came across a gigantic lingcod. Its head was larger than mine, and measured against the door it was blocking before I arrived, its body was in excess of five feet. The Saskatchewan is extraordinarily diver friendly. With entry and exit holes cut in strategic places throughout the ship, there are very few areas where one is not able to simply follow natural light to an exit. Additionally, spray-painted throughout the ship’s interior are indications of your location, as well as directions to the bow, stern, and nearest exit. As I swam along the dark central corridor, enjoying the albino fish-eating anemones, my light shone ahead and landed on a swimming crinoid. Its arms undulated majestically to carry its fragile body down the passageway, and I watched in awe as I fully realized that I was in another world. With the dark ship all around me, and nothing but my flashlight illuminating this alien being, I felt as if I were an astronaut hovering weightlessly in space. And then it occurred to me I was in space – Inner Space. the essential guide to allergic travel Travelling is one of life's great pleasures, whether it means exploring a city's lively streetscapes and shops or delving into historic sites and museums. But for people with allergies, the prospect of leaving one's controlled home environment can be challenging. Those with environmental allergies and asthmas fear dust-mite-filled carpets in hotels, bed linens that can cause skin irritation or the possibility of wheeze-inspiring mould. The food allergic, meanwhile, are wary of venturing into unknown restaurants where cross-contamination of their meals with allergens could be a life-threatening risk. But increasing awareness, especially in urban centres, means the allergic need not miss out on enjoyable and safe escapes. As you'll find in this guide to 12 great North American destinations, there are a growing number of hotels and restaurants where the welcome mat is out for allergic patrons.... Often touted as the 'Provence of North America' for its lovely landscape, Vancouver Island offers the perfect climate for foodies and nature lovers. It's easy to veer off-the-beaten path to explore hidden treasures among the isle's sleepy towns and inlets. The Buccaneer Inn This family-owned jewel is a newly renovated three-star hotel in the heart of Nanaimo. There is no smoking, no pets are allowed and, as much as possible, detergents and fabric softeners contain no fragrances. Owner Dave Ilyn reports he'll be replacing the bedspreads shortly with hypoallergenic duvets. (we replaced them with down and hypoallergenic ones, please ask for one if you have an allergy to down) Buccaneer Inn "Also north of downtown, but along the waterfront, the Buccaneer is just three blocks from the ferry terminal and a great value. It's diver friendly and has clean, comfortable rooms and suites most with ocean views." Buccaneer Inn awarded 2 Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Sterling Business Awards
Buccaneer Inn puts guests first The current Official 2004 Approved Accommodation Guide, produced by Tourism BC, lists the Buccaneer Inn property in Nanaimo as having recently completed renovations, and while the Inn has been renovated and remodeled in recent years, none were done over the course of 2003. There are two ways to deal with a mistake such as this: negatively or positively. Dave Ilyn of the Buccaneer Inn has chosen the latter. Instead of explaining this printing error all summer long to misinformed guests, Ilyn has decided to simply make the statement true by carrying out a major renovation and remodeling project. Over the years, the Buccaneer Inn has consistently received perfect housekeeping scores with the Tourism BC and Canada Select inspectors. The inn is also a favourite with visitors who want to explore our world-class marine environment; as the Buccaneer offers dive and snorkel packages and amenities for divers and snorkellers such as storage units and rinse stations. For more information about The Buccaneer Inn visit www.buccaneerinn.com or stop by 1577 Stewart Avenue to check out one of Nanaimo's not-so-well-kept secrets! Buccaneer Inn The closest motel to Departure Bay terminal welcomes divers to it's comfortable rooms. It has awesome views of Newcastle Island and they'll be more than happy to help you arrange any activities in the area. Thanks for having had a look at some of the articles written about our business. We hope you have the opportunity to experience a stay at The Buccaneer Inn. Your hosts,
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After I arrived in Nanaimo, I drove three blocks to the 
In 2004, our peers in the business community recognized our efforts by awarding us two |
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