Room

Reviews of Desert Arms Hotel

2 out of 5
Desert Arms Hotel
6341 Main Street, Oliver, BC

Reviews

6.2
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 37 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 37 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 22 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 130 reviews" "

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

5.6/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Chris

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is quite nice to stay in a historic building and the pub food below is also very enjoyable. The bar staff check you into your room, but are not fully equipped to do so. The hotel manager tries to insist on cash payments, which is not feasible when travelling with a credit card.
Response from Manager on 8 Nov 2022
Sorry your stay was not as expectedYou booked one thing onlineUpon your late arrival you changed your booking to a different room typeAll was in order for you , but your mistake resulted in changes all aroundThe Point of sale through Telus was down that night and they came in the next day to repair the problem there as an ATM on site so cash should also not be a problem. Your receipt was with your room packageYou did receive your larger three beds / two rooms at the price of the cheaper two beds 1 room to cover the inconvenience you caused

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice little hotel and very friendly owner
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank you

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Colin

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were given a double room at the end of the hallway(206/207) They are trying to keep it authentic but wood/plank flooring in halls and rooms are a bit noisy. The doors seemed original, but one could see out through the door jamb. The toilet rocked back and forth at each use. The bathroom door had to be slammed to close, but then wobbled. Coffee supplies were good, no breakfast offered, but there are places nearby. We thought it would be noisy with karaoke on Friday and live music on Saturday, but were pleasantly surprised; never heard a thing.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 15 Sep 2022
The wood flooring was installed by previous management with no thought to noise obviously ( they also picked out the "rust" hallway color), again sorry. The toilet rocking?, will take care of it, not something I usually check when inspecting the rooms, I will now. Lack of breakfast comes from no restaurant in the hotel and the pub not opening until later, and a want to support the local restaurant industry that suffered through covid for two years, there are some great eateries within a few minute walk, as you discovered. Glad you enjoyed your sleep

6/10 Okay

Dave

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Way overpriced for the dated very basic room. This should be no more than 50 bucks a night. Itnis more of a hostel than anything. Ournwindow a/c was right over a dumpster which perfumed the room if wanted a/c. Do not recommend, especially at the price point.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022
Response from Management on 12 Sep 2022
We apologize for the appearance of ours, and our neighbours dumpsters in the back alley (both somewhat visible from your room) somehow having them located in the front just doesn't seem appropriate. As for your newly installed A/C unit drawing in air from outside, that is not how they work, they expel hot air to the outside, what you would be referring to would be a "Window Fan" that sucks air from outside and blows it in, these would be found in your 50 rooms of which you are apparently familiar, I would suggest you attempt to locate such rooms next time you go through the South Okanagan. All the best.

4/10 Poor

Mindy-Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Can’t recommend based on the rooms we had.
The beds were uncomfortable and the rooms didn’t look like renovations were completed. The people were nice and friendly. It was a little challenging to unlock the front door with the key. One room door barely latched and the deadbolt didn’t work. Overall it was passable but we wouldn’t stay again based on the rooms we had.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Management on 27 Aug 2022
The front door lock was noted to your husband as we were having a problem with it, a simple key jiggle took care of it, he said he'd have no problem as you had travelled Germany and the locks were very challenging.As for the bed being uncomfotrtable?, due to Expedia overbooking we upgraded you to a room with 3 queen size beds?, even Goldilocks found ONE to be just right?

6/10 Okay

Matt

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Lodging was good, they don't have many things that they claim on the menu at the pub downstairs and the beer could be colder !
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
The Pub & Hotel are 2 separate business'

8/10 Good

Kenneth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The Hotel is very old but they have been updating it. My room was spacious and clean, but still needed a bit of craftsmanship to clean up the bathroom. I found the price was a great deal for that time in the Okanagan. Would book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

6/10 Okay

ZHIHUA

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beat

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
New management. Good facility. Understaffed. House key didn't work (but we could get in through the pub). We were traveling through and it was just what we needed. Fair price.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 10 Aug 2022
Understaffed? lol love it when the manager takes Holidays

2/10 Terrible

Nita

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hotel was quiet. The beds were comfortable. The bathroom was clean. It was a pleasant overnight stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 7 Aug 2022
Thank you for your review, and hope to see you again

2/10 Terrible

TJ

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

2/10 Terrible

Dorette Marie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Amy

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Management on 30 Jul 2022
Customer complained from the time they checked in , no pleasing them no matter what. We all have bad days Same room got 5 stars the week prior

2/10 Terrible

James

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Air conditioning did not work so the room did not cool down till around 1am,we had to buy a can of raid to kill the ants that were crawling all over,room had a very poor cable selection and no remote for the tv.Was over all a very disapointing stay stay .
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Management on 30 Jul 2022
You stayed for 4 nights and not once did you express any concerns to management or housekeeping, had you done so any problems would have been rectified. If your remote was misplaced we do have extras. With temperatures around 40 degrees AC units are pushed to the limit, if you didn't leave yours running rooms will heat up. With over 100 channels to choose from we try to have channels for everyone?

10/10 Excellent

Gennady

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

4/10 Poor

Wayne

Overpriced... Underwhelming.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 25 Jul 2022
5 queen size beds, 3 bedrooms 164.99 + $189.99 ( $354.99 plus taxes) during peak season (similar accommodations at another local Hotel would run $540+ for the same), including clean rooms, air conditioning, 10% off food at the adjoining Pub, coffee, complimentary bottles of water, in a Historic 87 year old Hotel, aimed at economy and clean, and quiet travellers. What exactly was overpriced and underwhelming?

10/10 Excellent

Carol, Port Coquitlam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It's a 87 year old Hotel with historic charm. Beds are very comfortable. Connected was a pub called Howling Coyote. Food was good and we had great fun playing Music Bingo. Extra special I won the blackout shharing with another Lady
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from The Manager on 18 Jul 2022
Anonymous name and no comment?, sorry no response from us, we appreciate constructive criticism as it helps us improve, but anyone can hide behind a keyboard and post a bad review, maybe this was the person we caught smoking in their room and we reprimanded and reminded of the rules.?

8/10 Good

Kathleen

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
I found the history very interesting. It was on Main Street so everything was within walking distance. The bathroom was very clean but there was a water leak in the taps and we were cleaning that up regularly. The is no Lobby Area and we found no staff except for bar and Grill. So no one to call with concerns or get help if needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from The Manager on 17 Jul 2022
We appreciate the 4 Stars, as we explained the taps in your bathroom where brand new and the plumbing Company that installed them was contacted as soon as we were made aware of the problem, they will be out on Monday as they were booked solid (like most companies in the South Okanagan). The Lobby area is the same size and location as it has been since the Hotel was constructed in 1935, we recently removed the out of date furniture and have been awaiting the Piano and new "old" furniture, but the size is the same? As for no staff? I personally am onsite 8-12 per day, and Colleen our Day Manager greeted you and even carried your bags upstairs for you. I was personally on call all weekend after hours (cards on table in Lobby) and live less than 3 minutes away. We have just hired our new Night Manager, who will be onsite every night starting August 1,2022.

6/10 Okay

Yu Yan

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Ryan

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

6/10 Okay

Bill

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very clean, good service. Older small hotel , convenient to everything in town.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

2/10 Terrible

Kamil

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Phil

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly and with a fun pub
Affordable and right in downtown Oliver. Great pub and the food and service are great in the pub.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

4/10 Poor

William

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is good. There is no lobby reception desk. We checked in late and had to go see the neighbor bartender to get our keys. There was loud karaoke in to the early hours of the next day. Not impressed for sure!
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 10 Jun 2022
Sorry you feel you encountered a few glitches in your stay. As a smaller family run hotel, late check ins are handled by the Pub attached to the hotel. All paperwork is completed and it is a very simple process. As for their Karaoke going into the early hours?, Friday night Karaoke ends at 11:45 with last song prior to midnight, not sure what "music" was offending you in the early hours, but it wasn't coming from the pub or hotel.

8/10 Good

Radoslaw

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

2/10 Terrible

Emma

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Do not book
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 13 Jun 2022
Not sure what the problem might have been?, if there was one did you bring it to the attention of the Hotel staff?

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
nice old hotel. Newly renovated. A work in progress but would stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

6/10 Okay

Fran

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Clean room. My biggest disappointment was poor (almost nonexistent wifi). We rely on wifi to book rooms and maintain contact with family when traveling. Due to short visit through USA on our way to Mexico (3 days) did not have a SIM card that worked in states.)
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Response from Desert Arms Management on 7 Apr 2022
I'm sorry you had WiFi problems, TELUS our NEW provider had recently installed wifi "expanders" from Miraki, these were a little edgy to install, as TELUS had no one trained in troubleshooting any problems. We since have them working at peak performance and the entire Hotel as well as the Pub downstairs is well covered. PS the Pub downstairs has excellent coverage.

6/10 Okay

Kim

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Low price for the basic necessities.
This is the most basic of basic accommodation. We looked out into a tin roof on the back of the building. It served our purpose, however. Just needed an inexpensive place to sleep for the night. The beds were comfortable and the mini fridge was handy for some essentials we brought.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

4/10 Poor

Brandon

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Response from Desert Arms Management on 18 Nov 2022
Thank You

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Our room was clean and had everything we needed; the tv was on the side wall, however, which made it difficult to watch.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Response from jc on 14 Sep 2019
WE try to look at all aspects for our guests. Thanks for your opinion

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 17 Sep 2019
Thank you for your stay

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 14 Sep 2019
I thank you for your response, am glad you found the room to your needs

6/10 Okay

ROLANDO

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Not bad for a one night quick stay. Check in was quite easy other then having to go through the pub.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 14 Sep 2019
I thank you for your response

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 14 Sep 2019
I am glad you found the room to your satisfation

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great value for the price. Stayed here prior to a track day at Area 27
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 17 Sep 2019
Thank you for your stay, am glad we met your needs

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
OK for one night stay. Bath sink hot water out of order. Some electrical outlets no current. Bath sink crack rusty marks. No receptionist have to go through bar staff. Otherwise enjoyed the town of Oliver itself.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

4/10 Poor

Amanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I don't like bed bugs! I don't appreciate having to register as a guest in a beverage room!!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from jc on 17 Sep 2019
thank you for your stay