Ratings based on 295 Verified Reviews
4.6 Room cleanliness
4.4 Service & staff
4.1 Room comfort
4.3 Hotel condition
Expedia Verified Reviews
by A verified traveler
Posted 9 Oct 2024
Comment from Hotel Management
10 Oct 2024 by Amanda, Hotel Management
Thank you for staying at the Riverside Inn, we greatly appreciate you taking your time to review us.We hope to host you again in the future!
by A verified traveler
Posted 6 Sep 2024
Comment from Hotel Management
6 Sep 2024 by Gerrie, Hotel Management
Hi WilliamThanks for staying with us. We are happy you enjoyed yourself. Thank you for taking your time to commentKind RegardsRiverside Management
by A verified traveler
Posted 3 Sep 2024
It was not what I was expecting the experience to be
by A verified traveler
Posted 1 Sep 2024
Room was good and clean,
Beds and pillows lovely.
Best of all the friendly service, clear, helpful, no attitude, just wonderful.
Good "country style hotel"
Comment from Hotel Management
1 Sep 2024 by The Riverside Inn , Hotel Management
We are pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you for taking your time to comment.Kind regards,Gerrie
by A verified traveler
Posted 1 Sep 2024
Fyi this is a very noisy location on the corner of what seems like the busiest intersection in town, next to the liquor store and the Tim Hortons guaranteeing late night and early morning traffic outside your windows.
Do you like awaking to natural light like me? Well no such luck here as there are 5 bright street lights shining in your windows all night so it's bright as high noon all night. It's very disorienting because the bright light shines all around the curtains so you can't tell if it's day or night.
On a more personal note, my husband and I attempted to enjoy a glass of wine during sunset in the unoccupied area of the hotel property patio. This part of the patio is fenced off from the other patio areas, is obviously unused and covered in cobwebs, so imagine our surprise when Julie from Riverside Inn Pub harassed us about breaking your unwritten rules regarding alcohol consumption and ordered us to dump our wine out, and then had the nerve to advise that we purchase new drinks from your bar.
The only listed rule states no drinking alcohol in the lobby, (picture of Riverside's own sign included) but Julie repeatedly insisted no open containers were allowed thru the lobby or on the patio, except what was bought from her and acted like we should have known that.
Overall horrible experience, rude staff, loud location, difficult to sleep with the noise and light issues, topped off with an emergency vehicle driving by with full sirens at 6am.
Comment from Hotel Management
3 Sep 2024 by Management , Hotel Management
We are sorry that your experience with The Riverside Inn wasn't what you expected. The liquor laws got in the way of your special time and we are sad for that, however, if Julie had allowed you to drink the unauthorised alcohol in our establishment she would be risking a fined, job loss and a potentially shut down for that infraction, so I am sure you can see why she couldn't allow your open alcohol in our establishment? If you don't want to be instructed on the liquor law by an establishment I welcome you to look up the Liquor Laws for BC on the internet and educate yourself so that this doesn't happen to you again. She did her best by offering solutions to the situation by letting you know what is allowed and offered you a way to stay and enjoy your time where it wouldn't have risked her her job or risk the business. As to the busy traffic circle this is Lake Cowichan and most days are very low key compared to the towns and cities locally to us. I don't think as a business owner we can control the lights, sun, moon, traffic or emergency services that Lake Cowichan proudly provides to keep everyone safe. We do provide blackout curtains that can be used for the outside light but if you want morning light without street lights we are at a loss other than getting up and opening the curtains. Perhaps a very remote accommodation for your next outing might be suggested.
by A verified traveler
Posted 24 Aug 2024
The Lady at the front Desk was very nice and welcoming. It was a beautiful area the location of the property on the river was amazing.
Comment from Hotel Management
24 Aug 2024 by Gerrie, Hotel Management
We are happy you enjoyed you stay with us Thank you for taking your time to comment !\Kind RegardsGerrie
by A verified traveler
Posted 13 Aug 2024
This property offers easy access to the river.
by A verified traveler
Posted 12 Aug 2024
The front desk staff were friendly and efficient.
Comment from Hotel Management
12 Aug 2024 by Gerrie, Hotel Management
We are happy you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you for taking your time to let us know
by A verified traveler
Posted 5 Aug 2024
by A verified traveler
Posted 29 Jul 2024
Great location - room was good, cafe and pub were excellent.
