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Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River

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Outdoor dining - Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River (Nanaimo)
Beach nearby, sun-loungers, beach towels - Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River (Nanaimo)
Smart TV, fireplace, books - Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River (Nanaimo)
Property grounds - Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River (Nanaimo)
Interior - Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River (Nanaimo)
Nestled in the Nanaimo River area, Dragon fly retreat offers a serene getaway with private lake access and a tranquil backyard. Unwind by the wood fire pit, take a paddleboard ride across the lake or simply sit on the dock to enjoy nature's symphony.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River

Dragonfly Retreat is located in the Nanaimo River area, just minutes from Nanaimo and Ladysmith. The setting offers a quiet rural atmosphere surrounded by nature, with nearby access to hiking and biking trails and a shared lake enjoyed by a small number of neighbouring homes. This is a hosted accommodation within our primary residence on a multi-level property.

Guests enjoy a bright and comfortable guest space within the lower level of our home, featuring high ceilings and large windows with views of the lake. A landscaped pathway through the backyard leads past a waterfall and pond to a sandy beach area and dock. Guests are welcome to relax by the water, enjoy the natural surroundings, or take part in seasonal lake activities including a pedal boat, paddleboard, canoe, and swimming. Life jackets are available for guest use.

Outdoor areas include multiple seating spaces around the property, allowing guests to enjoy both sun and shade throughout the day. A wood-burning fire pit is available for guest use, subject to local fire regulations. The surrounding area offers excellent opportunities for walking, photography, and quiet outdoor enjoyment.

Within the guest space, there is a comfortable seating area with a fireplace and a convertible couch. A desk area with USB charging ports is also available for guest convenience. Board games and cards are provided for leisure.

The bedroom area includes hypoallergenic pillows, a Canadian down duvet, and cotton bedding. Bedside lighting includes USB charging ports, and extra blankets and pillows are available if needed. Sleeping arrangements are best suited for two adults and two children using existing bedding configurations.

The bathroom includes a walk-in shower with multiple features, including massaging jets, a handheld wand, and a rain showerhead. Towels, basic toiletries, and a hair dryer are provided for guest use.

Small dogs may be considered with prior approval, subject to certain conditions.

Hosted accommodation with a light continental breakfast offering provided.

We look forward to welcoming you to Dragonfly Retreat.

Property amenities

Activities nearby

  • Beach
  • Birdwatching
  • Casino
  • Cycling
  • Golfing
  • Gym
  • Health/beauty spa
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain biking
  • Scuba diving
  • Skiing
  • Swimming
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife walks
  • Winery tours

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Guests can access their accommodation through a private entrance
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Pets can not be left unattended for long periods of time. One vehicle per visit, limited parking spaces available.

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 9 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Inquire prior to booking. No unattended pets.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: No children under 12 alone at lake/watercraft

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Please use a safe butt container.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Dragon Fly Retreat Lakeside Suite Apartment
Dragon Fly Retreat Lakeside Suite Arrowsmith-Benson
Dragon Fly Retreat Lakeside Suite Apartment Arrowsmith-Benson
Lakeside one bedroom suite with beach front small water crafts

About the area

Located in Arrowsmith-Benson, this apartment is on the waterfront. Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and Duke Point Ferry Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda. The OV Arts Centre and Nanaimo Aquatic Centre are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching. Visit our Arrowsmith-Benson travel guide
View more B&B in Arrowsmith-Benson
Map
Nanaimo, BC

What's nearby

  • Stairwell to upper promenade deck aboard the BC Ferries MV Coastal Renaissance as it prepares to depart from Tswassen Terminal en route to Swartz Bay, Sydney, British Columbia, Canada.
    Duke Point Ferry Terminal
    18 min drive - 20.1 km
  • sunrise near Departure Bay at nanaimo, vancouver island, british colombia, canada
    Departure Bay Beach
    22 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia, Canada -- April 11, 2021: BC Ferries vessel departing from Horseshoe Bay Terminal on its way to Vancouver Island.
    Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
    22 min drive - 17.7 km
  • Vancouver Island University
    15 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Woodgrove Shopping Centre
    23 min drive - 29.7 km

Getting around

  • Nanaimo, BC (YCD)
    12 min drive

Restaurants

  • Sip Pub
    16 min drive
  • Tim Hortons
    11 min drive
  • coco cafe
    17 min drive
  • Starbucks
    16 min drive
  • Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant
    16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Dragon Fly retreat lakeside suite pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Dragon Fly retreat lakeside suite?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Dragon Fly retreat lakeside suite?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dragon Fly retreat lakeside suite?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Dragon Fly retreat lakeside suite located?

Situated on the waterfront, this apartment building is within 9 miles (15 km) of WildPlay Element Parks Nanaimo, WildPlay Nanaimo and The OV Arts Centre. Casino Nanaimo and Nanaimo Museum are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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Dragonfly Retreat – Scenic Lakeside Guest Accommodation Near Nanaimo River Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 68 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family had a wonderful stay at Dragon Fly retreat. The place was clean, the area was beautiful and Jodi and Randy were excellent hosts! It was also very nice to have a place that would welcome our puppy to be with us. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very peaceful getaway haven - in a beautiful setting

Very comfortable and high quality suite - and the setting and grounds are very hard to beat
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Great spot for a family getaway. Jodi and her partner were easy to communicate with and very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

j d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dragon Fly retreat is a beautiful place on a small, quiet, non motorized lake; perfect to relax and unwind. The hosts thought of everything, beach towels, paddle boards, and ample cooking equipment. We really enjoyed our stay and spent most of our time lounging on the deck chairs on the dock. Life is good!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ken F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Place of Peace. We hope to go back!Our family had an amazing time at the Dragon Fly Retreat. It was the perfect place for our family to relax, swim, and head out for day trips around the island. Working with Jodi was easy. We totally recommend this place.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jodi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property, so peaceful. We had a relaxing stay. We had the lake all to ourselves along with the Bobs (the three beavers) and otters. Jodi and Randy were super accommodating. My 9 year old loved hunting for frogs.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get away

Just what we needed a lovely place to relax!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Highly recommend.

This was a lovely and spectacular place for us. Quiet, clean, beautiful setting. Jodi and Randy were welcoming, friendly, and so very helpful. Loved the lake and especially the nesting Pied-Billed Grebes. Would love to return if we find ourselves in the area again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamara F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Super quiet, peaceful and relaxing just what we needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

john K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best ever

Stayed 7 nites, everything first class , great view and private property grounds , everything that you would want is supplied, Faye John and Molly
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Anniversary trip

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Dragon Fly Retreat The grounds are absolutely beautiful and very private The suite was beautiful and our view from our deck overlooking the lake and yard was stunning.. So quiet and peaceful and a perfect place to spend our 10th wedding anniversary..
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Felipe C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

We loved the place. Excellent for a getaway. The property is cozy, clean, and organized and has everything you need. The lake right behind the house is terrific. Jodi is thoughtful and kind. We will be staying again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Doug L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dragonfly Retreat

This is a fantastic property to stay at and it is wonderfully quiet and secluded from everyday life. I can not think of a better property we could have picked and Jan and Randy the hosts were wonderful to deal with. We will definately be back in the future to get some rest and relaxation.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful

Our stay was absolutely wonderful!! Loved the quiet and the beautiful property. So much was offered with tons of attention to detail. Thank you so very much to our hosts. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene Getaway

We just finished our stay at the Dragonfly Retreat. What a wonderful place it is!! The property is beautiful! Accommodations exceeded our expectations. Had all the amenities as described and more. Lovely place to escape from the city. We absolutely loved it and plan to return in the near future.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cindy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Staying here was a treat

If you love peace, tranquility, and privacy, look no further. The grounds and lake are stunningly beautiful, even in the fall. Suite is tastefully furnished, well-equipped, and with many thoughtful extras you don't typically find in a vacation rental. Jodi and Randy are exceptionally wonderful hosts who go out of their way to make sure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Stayed 16 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely and cozy

I had a very pleasant stay at Jodi’s beautiful dragonfly apartment. It’s full of details that make you feel even better after you get the garden and the lake view first impression (which is great!) Thank you Jodi for sharing a lovely/cozy space !
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

You can never go wrong here!

We always enjoy staying here. Very peaceful and relaxing. We had a small hiccup unlocking the door but Jodi got up to help us even though we arrived at 3 am! Much appreciated after a long flight delay. Everything we needed and more was available. We will be back. :-)
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what a summer vacation should be!

Everything we needed for a great summer getaway was here at Dragon Fly retreat. Indoors, there was a comfortable bed, great kitchen with all we needed, and a spacious bathroom. Outdoors, there were multiple places to relax and a fabulous dock with SUPs, a canoe, peddle boats and floaties. Amazing! We were sorry to leave but have good memories to keep us smiling. Jodi and Randy were were excellent hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Naomi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ode to an oasis!

This perfect Oasis by a small private spring fed lake was heaven. We had such a wonderful relaxing time. The place was modern and clean. We ate our meals outside on the deck overlooking the beautiful grounds and lake. Jodi and Randy are lovely hosts and they have thought of everything to make your stay stress free. You can hang out at their private dock and swim, float and paddle around on a board, or canoe. If you are looking to de-stress or just to get away I would highly recommend a stay at the aptly named Dragonfly resort.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jean

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
The beautifully landscaped setting was pastoral, offering several areas to sit and enjoy the fountains, foliage and lake. The tastefully appointed suite had modern appliances and extras such as a fireplace and high end shower. There was even a cupboard with items for our dog, such as bowls and towels. Jodi, the host was very approachable and communicated promptly.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dragon Fly

Jodi and Randy offer a beautifully landscaped homesite on Myles Lake. With a small number of lakeside homes on this small lake, it can be a relaxing and peaceful place to spend time. The apartment is well-outfitted for a wonderful stay and you'll find most amenities available. Squeaky clean. It was quick and easy to get questions answered. One of us primarily wanted to swim, so the dock and chairs were well used and there are a number of options for water play available. Located far enough to be quiet and peaceful, Nanaimo is still close enough to reach for supplies or a night out.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Han N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Retreat!

We had the most excellent stay at Jodi and Randy's place! Our kids absolutely LOVED spending time out on the dock looking for frogs and fishes. There are many activities that the owners allow guests to use - canoe, paddle boat, life jackets, etc. We absolutely love that it was a private lake so we have plenty of privacy! The guestsuite is sparking clean. All the cooking amenities were available for a nice bbq grill in the patio. Towels and toiletries were available and very clean. We felt like we were staying at a resort! Randy greeted us when we arrived and Jodi was our main contact. They were very prompt to all our inquiries and super friendly! They definitely treat you like family! Overall, this was our favorite place at Vancouver Island. It's close enough to the ferries and within driving distance to stores. I would highly recommend Jodi and Randy's place for those looking for a private resort style lodging. Thanks Jodi and Randy for an amazing stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daria R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An Amazing Experience

Our stay at the Dragonfly Retreat was truly amazing. From watching the meteor showers by the dock to splashing in the lake during the day with our 5-year-old (life jackets thoughtfully provided - your kids who can’t swim just yet will be safe!). From having a morning coffee on a private patio overlooking the lake to listening to the gentle sound of the water feature at dusk. We very much appreciated the hospitality of Jody and Randy and their helpful suggestions for things to do in the area. The suite was beautifully appointed and with many thoughtful touches. Loved the walk-in shower and the washer and dryer. There was even a blanket and bowls for pets in one of the cupboards! Both the bed and the sofa-bed were very comfortable. There are many beautiful hikes around, and for those travelling with kids, there is a fantastic playground downtown Nanaimo, right by the promenade. We will be back! Thank you so much, Jodi and Randy!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rowan V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a lovely, quiet place to rest and relax!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025