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Downtown Backpackers

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Downtown Backpackers

Interior
Queen Room
Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm | Shared kitchen
Lobby sitting area
Property amenity

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
131 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010
  • Place, Nelson Market
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Trafalgar Park
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Christ Church Cathedral
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Airport, Nelson (NSN)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm, Ensuite

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm, Ensuite

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm, Ensuite

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Queen Room

Queen Room

Queen Room

  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Similar properties

Cookware/dishes/utensils
YHA Nelson - Backpackers
Nelson City Centre
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Games room
  • Business services
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 107 reviews
The price is €55
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
YHA Nelson - Backpackers

About this property

Downtown Backpackers

Along with laundry facilities, this hostel has a 24-hour front desk and express check-in. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, express check-out, barbecue grills, and a picnic area are onsite.
Downtown Backpackers offers 14 accommodations. This Nelson hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
During your stay at Downtown Backpackers, you're just a quick walk from The Suter. You'll find features like free WiFi in public areas, plus a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge) and laundry facilities.
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities and a terrace
  • Just a 4-minute walk from The Suter and 4 minutes by foot from Montgomery Square
  • Airport shuttle service available for a fee
Downtown Backpackers offers its guests a terrace, barbecue grills, and a picnic area. Public spaces have free WiFi. Downtown Backpackers also features laundry facilities, express check-in, and express check-out.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Nelson hostel.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Onsite parking available only on request

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessibility

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children 17 and younger are not allowed at this property. All guests older than 17 are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
The check-in location differs from the property location. To check in, guests will need to go to 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.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Children 17 years old and younger aren't allowed at this property.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Downtown Backpackers Hostel Nelson
Downtown Backpackers Nelson
Downtown Accommodation Backpackers
Downtown Backpackers Nelson
Downtown Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Downtown Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Nelson

Downtown Backpackers Reviews

Reviews

6.0
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 17 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 69 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

4.8/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Katrin

Liked: Staff & service
Wouldnt call it a backpackers - only other people we have seen around did not seem like travelers and the whole place had a bit of a sketchy vibe. We had a double room with ensuite and there was also a kitchen there (which we didn’t use). Everything looked a bit rundown and the bed was very worn out. The room also had a bit of an unpleasant smell to it which I believed to be urine… wouldnt stay there again. On the positive site, check in was very easy and the staff member we met was very friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Fiona

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Grim and depressing but good communications by staff
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Thomas

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Jonathan

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ashok

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Ashok

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Patricia

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Patricia

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Geoff

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Paul

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

stephen

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Sue

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Katrina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

4/10 Poor

Christopher

Travelled with group
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Could not have been a more terrible experience if it tried
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

6/10 Okay

Shivraj

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

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.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service

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.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Martin Rune Hassan

Disliked: Room comfort

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.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

6/10 Okay

Heike

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

4/10 Poor

Don

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

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
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018