Art Deco hostel with a restaurant, near Interislander Ferry Terminal
This smoke-free hostel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and laundry facilities. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a 24-hour front desk, express check-out, and a front-desk safe.
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offers 108 accommodations with safes. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers's great location. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Wellington Central Business District. You'll find features like free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and a bar.
Free WiFi
Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
Amenities include a front-desk safe, locker space, and laundry facilities
Guests have great things to say about the location and the helpful staff
Steps from Wellington Central Business District and 3 minutes by foot from Lambton Quay
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers also features a vending machine, laundry facilities, and express check-out.
This Art Deco Wellington hostel is smoke free.
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers has a restaurant on site.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
ATM
Laundry facilities
Lockers
Safe at front desk
Vending machine
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Front entrance ramp
Lift
Well-lit path to entrance
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
More
Art Deco architecture
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Towels provided
Entertainment
Cable/satellite channels
More
Heating
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: NZD 10
Express check-out available
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
At check-in, guests must provide a record of full COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination record requirement applies to all guests aged 12 and up; guests must have received complete COVID-19 vaccination at least 30 days prior to check-in
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 are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Late check-out fee: NZD 10 (subject to availability)
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
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
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
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.
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.
Property is also known as
Downtown Backpackers
Downtown Backpackers Hostel
Downtown Backpackers Hostel Wellington
Downtown Backpackers Wellington
Hotel Waterloo Backpackers
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Wellington
Hotel Waterloo Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
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. 248 out of 1006 reviews
10 - Excellent
248
Rating 8 - Good. 404 out of 1006 reviews
8 - Good
404
Rating 6 - Okay. 223 out of 1006 reviews
6 - Okay
223
Rating 4 - Poor. 72 out of 1006 reviews
4 - Poor
72
Rating 2 - Terrible. 59 out of 1006 reviews
2 - Terrible
59
7.6/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Staff & service
7.2/10
Amenities
6.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
6/10 Okay
gaelle
9 Nov 2025
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
You get what you pay for.
That said, great location.
We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers. The place felt welcoming from the start. Solid facilities, and genuinely warm, attentive staff all contributed to a relaxed and pleasant experience.
Do not stay here!! Pictures on websites are deceptive to what the actual rooms and facilities are. Place stinks, is old and terribly outdated. Beds and beddings have stains and smelly. Floor carpet is filthy and smells. Overall stay was a nightmare. Staff unhelpful.
anish
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
6/10 Okay
Gordon
Travelled with family
3 Oct 2025
A 2 star hotel so it's a bit old and tired, but has comfortable beds and hot showers.
Close to public transport, eateries and within walking distance of the CBD
I have stayed 3 times. I enjoyed the whole stay. Loved the views from recent stays. Look forward to staying again
Katina
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
4/10 Poor
Ben
15 Sept 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It's a real propper dive. Booked here as it was the last available place in town with space. Now I know why. Staff were friendly enough but there's no getting around the dire facility.
Although it's not so bad about that hotel in general, it was so bad to stay one night at a place that offers no internet connection. Also, the staff did not advise on how I could access the network.
The room was so noisy because of the severe wind that day as well.