Downtown Backpackers

Location: 131 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010, Nelson, NZ

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: The check-in location differs from the property location. Check-in location: [Back of the building on New Street.]. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation.

Amenities & Facilities

• Express check-out
• Free WiFi
• 24-hour front desk
• Terrace
• Luggage storage
• Express check-in/check-out
• Designated smoking area
• Picnic area
• Express check-out
• Express check-in
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)

Rooms Available

• Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  1 Twin Bed

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Towels and shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Bedsheets provided

• Bed In 8 Bed Mixed Dorm

  1 Twin Bed

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Towels and shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Need to Know - Shared accommodations

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared accommodation
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Bedsheets provided

• Single Room

  1 Twin Bed

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Private bathroom
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Bedsheets provided

• Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm, Ensuite

  1 Twin Bed

  194 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Private bathroom
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Bedsheets provided

• Queen Room

  1 Queen Bed

  118 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and heating

  Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Bedsheets provided

Guest Reviews

• Fiona (4/5): - Grim and depressing but good communications by staff
• Thomas (4/5): - When arrived we found out our room had been given to some other people, and then a loud argument occurred between the owner and one of the staff
• Ashok (2/5): - I don't know how Expedia could list such a property on its website. The property is indicated as a backpacker establishment but it is more a boarding house for the down and out. The premises were filthy and unsanitary, the carpet was solid with dirt and sticky, the sheets had blood stains on them, there was rubbish and boxes lying everywhere in the common areas. I felt unsafe. When I told the proprietor that I wanted to leave she insisted on taking a cancellation fee. There was nothing else available so I had to stay there. It spoilt my impression of Nelson. A thoroughly terrible experience. Please get this place off your website!
• Ashok (2/5): - This was the worst experience I have ever had staying anywhere. It spoilt my experience of Nelson. The place seemed like a boarding house for the down and out. I felt sorry for the people staying there - probably being exploited by a greedy proprietor. I had never come across such a dirty, rundown and depressing facility. I would say the place should be closed down but then I would feel sorry for the people who need accommodation.
• Patricia (4/5): - Good location
• Geoff (4/5): - Getting access to property. Late Friday night very loud music from nearby. Being woken up at 3.20am Saturday morning by slamming doors and loud arguments and unsavoury language between people with a limited vocabulary.
• Paul (2/5): - The shared kitchen was dirty, the entrance hall was untidy and the room was not clean. The curtains was half off the rail. Did not look like the internet photos. Left and booked at another place for the night. Would not reccomend this place for anybody.
• Katrina (8/5): - Not the fanciest place and quite shabby in parts but it was clean, the bed was comfy and I slept well. Well priced and conveniently located with a very helpful friendly manager.
• Christopher (4/5): Review - Slow to get into the accommodation. The staff member was pleasant. Room was basic. Had a very poor mattress and a single bed that was too small for me. The night was interrupted was excessive coughing and hacking up of phlegm by one resident. Very load TVs at 02:30 by a guest. Managed to get 3 hours of sleep from shear fatigue.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - Could not have been a more terrible experience if it tried
• Shivraj (6/5): Budget n good stay - This backpacker place is cheap to stay with good size queen room, which has tv, fridge, queen/double size bed, private bathroom and heater. The room is quite good in size n accomodating in that price. There is communal/sharing kitchen with all kitchenware n cookware things, also free breakfast included. The only problem is the club downstairs, on friday and saturday night the noise and bass effect of speakers shake the whole room. So if you planning to stay those night peacefully n relax, then sorry you must see other option. But if you keen on going clubs/bars downstairs on friday n saturday night like we did, then its best at that price n its cleaned n comfortable. Also the backapacker is right in the heart of the city.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Cheap place to stay in good location - Owner was friendly and very helpful. Room was cheap and wifi was good. Location is good with lots of eateries, shops. Close distance to Centre of Nelson, Queens Garden and Intercity bus terminal.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Party or no-party? - If you are going out on the town, it’s perfect. We were told there may be some nice as we are in the party-end of town but didn’t expect that the biggest club in town was downstairs. Spent the night trying to sleep through the booming bass from the club. Not at all a good sleep (until 3am) but if you are in town to party it would be fine
• Martin Rune Hassan (2/5): Stay away if you want to be able to sleep - Hotel located on top of nightclub playing VERY loud techno music. Absolutely impossible to sleep, even using earplugs. Left for other hotel in middle of night. I am a sound sleeper and used to stay in simple hotels in developing countries, but this is the worst I have ever tried.
• Heike (6/5): very loud - It's over a nightclub with no sound proofing. So its very loud and the base makes the doors rattle. The room also get very hot in summer.
• Don (4/5): Place ok but noisy below - The backpackers itself was good but below was a nightclub and extreme vibrating noice due to loud music till 3am
• Verified traveler (2/5): - The worst nights sleep due to the nightclub directly below the accommodation. The room was literally shaking from the bass and music until 3am. Bed was awful as well. Do not stay here!
• Verified traveler (8/5): Great location, friendly staff, good wifi - It took me a while to find the entrance (back of the building). And notice that there are some clubs nearby so it can get noisy at night. Entrance was a bit dirty with rubbish on the ground and it wasn't really pleasant when there was people smoking right in front of the door, but after that I really enjoyed my stay. Staff was super friendly and informative, they made sure everything was fine and working. The room was a bit small and the bathroom could use some upgrading but everything was working and I did get a good night sleep. Good common areas and great wifi! I would stay again.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Hostellet hadde veldig fine fellesområder og hyggelig ansatte som var veldig behjelpelig med informasjon og aktiviteter. På den andre siden var ikke renholdet noe særlig.
• James (2/5): Very noisy - This backpackers is above the craziest night club in Nelson. Only stay there if you wanna party or you will not get any sleep.
• Kevin (8/5): Week Day Stay Only - Room was clean tidy with good shower. Kitchen was very well equipped. Just BEWARE of the fact you are above a nightclub. Friday night was VERY loud till 3am.
• Kim (8/5): good location & staff - good accommodation at a reasonable price and convenient.
• Jett (10/5): - Great location. Just be mindful that the parking is located at the back of the bar.
• Christopher (2/5): Review of Downtown Backpackers Nelson New Zealand - A location in the centre of the very, very noisy heart of Nelson Town. Discos immediately below thumped out music from 10pm till 3am on Fri & Sat. The whole building & my bedroom floor vibrated. Impossible to sleep. Rooms were advertised as being serviced daily but mine was only serviced on 4 occasions in my 11 day stay. I queried this with the Manager and he advised that the relevant member of staff "was in Auckland". I had to ask for toilet rolls, and complementary milk and tea top ups all the time. Returning to an untidy and not made up room on many occasions is not satisfactory and unacceptable and is in breach of the Terms and conditions under which I booked the accommodation. As they have been not complied with in respect of daily serviced accommodation I believe I am entitled to a partial refund. Please advise on how I can make a claim.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Not bad overall for a one night stay, room was a little dirty in the corners but overall not a bad experience
• B (2/5): 眠れない - 部屋が振動するくらい、音楽がうるさくて眠れません。キッチンもキレイではなく、調理器具も揃ってませんでした。
• Heiko (4/5): Finger weg! Auch der Sparpreis ist zu viel! - Lieblos geführtes Hostel, dreckige Gemeinschaftsküche, Zimmer winzig, Matratze viel zu weich, am Wochenende superlaut, da es direkt über einem Club liegt. War ein Preisbrecher, aber ich würde nächstes Mal ein paar Euro mehr in die Hand nehmen und das Downtown Backpackers definitiv nicht nochmal buchen.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Average accom - Had pre- booked a bed for $20.... 3 weeks prior but upon arrival had to move out because other people didn't won't a male kiwi in there. Ended up having to pay TREBLE the cost for only free room at 8pm. Very un accommodating and unhelpful staff could've been more approachable.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - 安くて、良いです。週末は下のクラブの音がうるさいです。キッチンや必要なものは全てあります。街中にあるので便利です。
• Verified traveler (6/5): I wouldn't stay here again personally... - My stay was from mon 19/2/18-wed 21/2/18. Please note before booking whilst the hostel address on any booking site states 131 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010 New Zealand the actual entrance for the hostel is "31 new street" which is in a car park. Also if you have heavy luggage the entrance is up a very steep walk. My stay was good, the man at reception who checked me in was very pleasant, helped me carry my case up the steep walk, explained the layout of the hostel. The room I was in was a four bed dorm , it was okay but the bathroom was very tiny and the room itself was also very small. The beds were very creeky. Every time you moved in bed the whole bunk moved a lot which was annoying. The kitchen was big and had the essentials. There was a small terrace upon entering the hostel which was nice although the view was of the car park. Personally I wouldn't stay there again because the room was tiny and the location was not so good and the fact that the entrance was in a weird location in a car park and from a different street than the address advertised on the booking site.
• Lynda (10/5): Very friendly - Great, friendly owner (who lives on-site) and staff. We stayed for two nights and had such a good time that we booked for a further two!
• wenling (10/5): my best backpacking experience - I booked this place simple because it is the cheapest for a bed in 4-bed room. My experience of living there is superb: 2 min's walk to the main street; supermarket named fresh-choice is a few minutes away and countdown is like 10 minutes away by walk; the receptionist and the owner is pretty helpful; the kitchen is spacious with sufficient cooking utensils, the highlight of my trip is--they offered any backpacker free use of their bikes. I rode a brand-new mountain bike for 2 days, leisurely wondering around the city and the coastline...for a regular solo traveler like me, it is perfect: great location, cheap accommodation, free bike. someone mentioned in the review list saying it is noisy because it is close to a night club. I am a dead sleeper, so I heard no noise, nor did i hear my roommates complain about it. I gave this stay a 5 star-rating. high recommended!
• yun (8/5): こじんまりしてる。 - 口コミ見て、どうかなと思っていたが、前日に予約とれたのでここに。 普通のとこで、普通に泊まるには問題なく大丈夫だった。この値段なら可！ 一本裏の通りなので、夜は暗く、人通りもなかったが、気をつけていれば大丈夫。 隣はリカーショップ(ただし21時まで)、通り入り口向かいにはスーパーマーケット、と便利。 中心地には少し離れているけど、小さな町なので気にならないくらい。 ニュージーランドのへそ、スーター美術館とかに近い方。 入り口が狭く、そこにテーブルがあり、食べたり飲んだり喫煙したり、の人がいるから入りづらい雰囲気も。 入って少し左に小さな窓のレセプションあり。 若い女の子で感じはよかったが、wifiの案内なし。レセプション窓あたりにたくさん貼ってある紙の一つがwifi案内。 ドミトリー四人部屋はすごく狭い。一応専用トイレシャワーあり。もちろん狭い。壁に手洗い歯磨きするとこあり、ただ付いてる感じ。ベッドもパイプのため、寝返りでも音がする。鍵あり。その鍵で、通りから入るゲートも開く。 キッチンは広くはないが、という感じ。キッチン横にランドリーあり。 オーナーさんかな？男性の方は仕事でたまに神戸に行くとか。。日本が大好きだそう。
• Verified traveler (8/5): Good - Good
• Verified traveler (8/5): Not bad for its mobey - Good location, friendly stuff
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Is cheap and transport is convenient. Downstair bar is loud at weekend night but is ok.
• Steph (8/5): I enjoyed my stay much appreciated thanks. - I enjoyed my stay in the back packers hotel.Apart from the mattress was abit 2 soft i stil got my sleep.
• Verified traveler (6/5): 夜はうるさいがクラブが多いのでしょうがない。しかし、ホステル自体は満足！ - 入り口が分かりにくいですが、町の中心にあり、価格も安いのに満足に清潔でした。ドミトリーは各部屋にトイレとお風呂があり臭いもなく快適に使用できました。一点、シャワーのお湯が大変温かったのが気がかりですが運が悪かっただけなのかもしれません。 周辺クラブの騒音対策をして寝れば、快適なホステルです。
• alface (6/5): Convenience place but terribly noisy - Downstairs is the bar... they had DJ party until 3 o'clock. The noise disturbed our sleep...
• Verified traveler (6/5): Perfekte Lage - Es ist mittlerweile neben Saison und deshalb nicht mehr so viel los, wie noch in der Hauptsaison. Rezeptionistin und Inhaber waren sehr freundlich und haben mir bestens geholfen. Dennoch würde ich es nicht für allein reisende empfehlen, da dort doch etwas seltsame Gestalten ein und aus gingen. Aber alles in allem, gut und günstig mit sehr guter Lage, so dass man alles zu Fuß erreichen kann.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Malutki hostelik - Malutki hostelik dla turystow plecakowych. Pokoj z mala lazienka, czajnikiem do kawy i herbaty oraz lodowka. Hotelik polozony w samym centrum Nelson.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Rent og ok - Jeg havde en enkelt overnatning på vej til Abel Tasman. Værelset var rent, men jeg kunne ikke få varmt vand i bruseren.
• Verified traveler (2/5): A place to send your Mother In Law - On arrival I wanted to check in and get out and see the beautiful city. The manager on reception was "busy working"... meaning talking to a friend on the balcony. When I gently asked him if we could move things along - he told me his country of birth and then explained "things had not started well".... where I come from we say "hello". I was not the only one who thought his behaviour was odd, rude, confrontational... take your pick As for the room, well if you want to live above a nightclub with loud music which makes the floors and walls vibrate to "doof doof doof" until 3am every night and be at the rough end of the bar street in this beautiful city, then this is the place for you. Only a place to send your mother in law.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Central but very noisy - Disappointing stay. The hostel is above a nightclub which plays very loud music from 11pm - 3am. The whole place shakes and it is very difficult to sleep. It's a pity because the room was nice and clean. Unless you want to party, I woudn't stay here.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Wonderful owner - The hotel owner is a wonderful host. The location is great
• Mirva (4/5): Noisy - One could sleep even the noice was terrible, but when the base was resonating in the furniture and door, one woke up...
• Sunggyu (10/5): 친절한 주인 아저씨 - 주인 아저씨 친절했어요
• Bente (8/5): Fint hostel - Et rigtig godt hostel. Indgangsforholdene lidt specielle, men fungerer perfekt. Jeg havde et lille værelse med eget bad. Det havde hvad der skulle bruges, ex var der køleskab, elkedel og tv. Fælleskøkken var der også. Et godt alternativ til et "rigtigt" hotel.
• Cornelia (8/5): Besser als erwartet - Die zentrale Lage ist super, diverse Restaurants und Shops sowie Busbahnhof sind sehr nah. Am Wochenende und in der Hochsaison durch die Nachtclubs wohl etwas laut, in der Nebensaison unter der Woche kein Problem. Netter und bemühter Manager Unser Zimmer erschien auf den ersten Blick sauber, bei genauerem Hinschauen jedoch entdeckten wir diverse wohl schon länger nicht mehr gereinigte Ecken/Bereiche. Preis/Leistung auf jeden Fall in Ordnung.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Close to everything - Very good, close to restaurant and bars, would recommend downtown packers to friends and family

Photos