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3-star hotels in Duncan
A shortlist of the 3-star hotels in Duncan, from downtown motels to waterfront cottages and inns around the Cowichan Valley. It is for travellers who want a comfortable, well-rated base for exploring southern Vancouver Island without going up a star class.
Staying in Duncan
Duncan sits on Vancouver Island in the Cowichan Valley, known as the City of Totems for the carved poles displayed downtown, and it is the main centre of an agricultural and outdoor-recreation region. Downtown is compact and walkable, with shops and the totem poles within a few blocks, while the wider valley offers hiking, cycling, fishing and paddling on the Cowichan River and nearby lakes. These 3-star hotels are spread out rather than clustered: Duncan Motel is 0.2 km from the centre on Alexander Street, Valley View Bed And Breakfast is 1.0 km away and Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn sits 2.9 km out on the Trans Canada Highway, while Seaside Cottages and Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn lie further afield at 14.7 km and 15.9 km. The mix suits different trips. Couples and anyone wanting water views gravitate to the Cowichan Bay and coastal addresses, families get family rooms, pools and kitchen or kitchenette facilities at several properties, and drivers appreciate free car parking almost everywhere.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn
9573 Chemainus Road, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Free car parking
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereWith 1,025 reviews and a 4.6 guest rating, this 3-star option on Chemainus Road is the best-reviewed stay in the list. Balconies, kitchenettes and family rooms suit longer family trips, and pets are allowed. It sits 14.7 km from central Duncan, so a car is useful.
See Best Western PLUS Chemainus InnSeaside Cottages
17310 Parkinson Rd, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereCottages come with a kitchen, fireplace and Jacuzzi, and each has a balcony or patio looking out to the sea. A restaurant and bar are on site, and pets are welcome. With 211 reviews and a 4.6 guest rating, it fits couples and families who want a self-catering coastal base.
See Seaside CottagesBest Western Cowichan Valley Inn
6474 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereClosest of the larger hotels to town at 2.9 km from central Duncan, this Best Western pairs 970 reviews and a 4.4 guest rating with an outdoor pool and a spa. A restaurant, bar and breakfast are on site, and the fitness center and business center cover both leisure and work stays. Rooms are air conditioned, pets are allowed, and picnic areas and a garden round out the grounds.
See Best Western Cowichan Valley InnOceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
1681 Cowichan Bay Rd, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereOceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay has its own private beach 7.5 km from Duncan, plus an indoor pool, gymnasium and fitness center. Suites include kitchens with oven and microwave, fireplaces, and bathrobes; breakfast can be taken in the room, and a concierge handles the rest. With 548 reviews and a 4.1 guest rating, it suits families and longer stays by the water. Pets are allowed.
See Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan BayDuncan Motel
2552 Alexander Street Duncan, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereAt 0.2 km from central Duncan, Duncan Motel is the most central 3-star here, with 133 reviews and a 3.8 guest rating. Kitchen and kitchenette units with microwave, oven and refrigerator make it practical for self-catering, and there is a bar, terrace and garden on site. Room service, free parking and wheelchair accessible facilities are available, and pets are allowed. Good for travellers who want to walk into town.
See Duncan MotelShawnigan suite B&B
2659 Treit Rd Shawnigan Lake Bc V0r 2W2 Canada, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereShawnigan suite B&B sits 15.9 km from Duncan on Treit Rd and keeps things simple: air-conditioned non-smoking rooms, a garden, terrace and lounge, and breakfast served in the room. Canoe and fishing facilities point to days on the water, and massage is available on site. Free wifi and free car parking are included. Suited to guests who want a quiet hosted stay near Shawnigan Lake.
See Shawnigan suite B&BValley View Bed And Breakfast
2277 Quamichan Park Road, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Air conditioning
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereValley View Bed And Breakfast is a small 3-star house on Quamichan Park Road, 1.0 km from central Duncan. Rooms are air conditioned and non-smoking, with free wifi, free car parking and a garden and terrace to sit out in. An iron and board are provided. It suits travellers who want a simple, close-in base for exploring Duncan on foot.
See Valley View Bed And BreakfastPanorama Bed and Breakfast
3758 Panorama Crescent, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay herePanorama Bed and Breakfast lies 17.2 km from Duncan on Panorama Crescent, with breakfast included and a spa on site. A garden, terrace and picnic area give plenty of outdoor space, wifi and car parking are free, and rooms have a TV. There is a smoking area. Best for guests with a car who prefer a quieter, out-of-town stay.
See Panorama Bed and BreakfastMaple Grove Guest House
3800 Gibbins Road Duncanv9l 6E8 British Columbia, Duncan, Canada
Best for: Drivers
- Coach parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereMaple Grove Guest House on Gibbins Road is 5.0 km from central Duncan and built around its garden and picnic area. It offers luggage storage and babysitting service, and hosts wedding services, with coach parking for groups. Wifi and car parking are free, and there are TVs in the rooms. A note in the data mentions a surcharge. Suits families and small celebrations.
See Maple Grove Guest House
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn | ★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 14.7 km |
| Seaside Cottages | ★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | – |
| Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn | ★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.9 km |
| Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay | ★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 km |
| Duncan Motel | ★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 0.2 km |
| Shawnigan suite B&B | ★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 15.9 km |
| Valley View Bed And Breakfast | ★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 1.0 km |
| Panorama Bed and Breakfast | ★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 17.2 km |
| Maple Grove Guest House | ★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 5.0 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn has family rooms plus an outdoor pool, spa and restaurant, and pets are allowed. Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay adds an indoor pool, kitchen, microwave and oven with a private beach. Duncan Motel, the closest to the centre at 0.2 km, offers family rooms, kitchenettes and free car parking.
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn · Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay · Duncan Motel
For couples
Seaside Cottages pairs a private beach and sea views with fireplaces and jacuzzis. Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn brings a salt water indoor pool, jacuzzi, balcony and massage. Panorama Bed and Breakfast is a quieter, smaller option with breakfast, a spa, a garden and a terrace.
Seaside Cottages · Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn · Panorama Bed and Breakfast
For business stays
Both Best Western properties have business centres, express check in and 24 hour front desk cover. Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn also provides banquet and copy facilities, while Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn adds room service, a fitness centre and a restaurant on site.
Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn · Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn
For self-catering
Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay has a kitchen with oven and microwave, plus breakfast in room. Duncan Motel includes kitchen and kitchenette facilities with a toaster and refrigerator. Seaside Cottages offers kitchen, microwave, toaster and a sofa bed, with free car parking at all three.
Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay · Duncan Motel · Seaside Cottages
Where to stay in Duncan
Cowichan Bay
This coastal village south of Duncan offers waterfront accommodations and a marina, and is known for its marine atmosphere and views of the bay. Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, on Cowichan Bay Rd, has a private beach and beach nearby, 7.5 km from the centre.
Our picks here: Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
Chemainus
North of Duncan, Chemainus is famous for its outdoor murals and theatre and provides a quieter alternative with easy access to the coast. Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn on Chemainus Road is 14.7 km from the centre and has an indoor salt water pool, jacuzzi and fitness centre.
Our picks here: Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn
Shawnigan Lake
Shawnigan suite B&B sits on Treit Rd Shawnigan Lake, 15.9 km from Duncan, with a garden, terrace, lounge and canoe and fishing facilities. Panorama Bed and Breakfast, 17.2 km from the centre on Panorama Crescent, has spa and picnic facilities in a quiet setting.
Our picks here: Shawnigan suite B&B
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Duncan is on Vancouver Island, about an hour's drive north of Victoria and 40 minutes south of Nanaimo via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). BC Ferries connects the island to the mainland at Swartz Bay near Victoria and Departure Bay in Nanaimo. The city is served by local bus routes, and a car is useful for exploring the Cowichan Valley. Cycling is popular on the quieter roads, and the Trans-Canada Trail passes through the area.
When to go
The best time to visit Duncan is from May to September, when the weather is mild and dry. Summer brings warm temperatures ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and river tubing, and a private beach at Seaside Cottages or Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay is at its best then. Spring and autumn are quieter and still pleasant, with spring flowers and autumn colours. Winter is cooler and wetter, but the city remains accessible year-round.
Questions, answered
Which hotels have free parking?
Nearly all of them: Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn, Seaside Cottages, Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Duncan Motel, Shawnigan suite B&B, Valley View Bed And Breakfast, Panorama Bed and Breakfast and Maple Grove Guest House all list free car parking.
Which hotels are closest to the centre of Duncan?
Duncan Motel is nearest at 0.2 km, followed by Valley View Bed And Breakfast at 1.0 km. Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn is 2.9 km from the centre; the Chemainus, Shawnigan Lake and Panorama properties are between 14.7 km and 17.2 km away.
Which hotels allow pets?
Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn, Seaside Cottages, Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay and Duncan Motel all list pets allowed.
Which hotels have a pool?
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn has an outdoor pool and swimming pool. Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn has an indoor salt water pool, and Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay also has an indoor pool.
Which hotels have a spa or jacuzzi?
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn has a spa, and Panorama Bed and Breakfast also lists a spa. Jacuzzis are available at Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn, Seaside Cottages and Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay.
Which hotels are best for families?
Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay and Duncan Motel all have family rooms. The Cowichan Valley Inn adds an outdoor pool and restaurant, the Cowichan Bay property has an indoor pool, kitchen and private beach, and Duncan Motel provides kitchenettes.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this list?
Best Western PLUS Chemainus Inn and Seaside Cottages share the highest guest rating at 4.6 out of 5, from 1025 and 211 reviews respectively. Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn follows at 4.4 from 970 reviews. All are 3-star.
Which hotels serve breakfast?
Breakfast is listed at Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn, Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay and Panorama Bed and Breakfast. Oceanfront Suites also offers breakfast in room, as does Shawnigan suite B&B.