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Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

Twin, Double & Single Ensuite
Interior
Breakfast area
Terrace/patio
Exterior

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

View in a map
1 Bunny Street Wellington Cbd, Wellington, 6011
  • Place, Wellington Central Business District
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Te Papa
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Interislander Ferry Terminal
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wellington (WLG-Wellington Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Double Ensuite

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(22 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Single (Shared Bathroom)

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single (Shared Bathroom)

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(15 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Bunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

Towels

Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 24 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (8 Beds)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

  • 24 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(17 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Double Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Shared Bathroom

7.6 out of 10
Good
(4 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Single Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room, Ensuite

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(14 reviews)
  • 19 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Premium Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Premium Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • 24 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Double Room with Private Bathroom

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room with Private Bathroom

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Twin Double&Single Ensuite

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Double&Single Ensuite

  • Sleeps 3

View all photos for Ensuite Twin Room

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Ensuite Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Single Room With Bathroom

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room With Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Double Room with Shared Bathroom

Interior

Double Room with Shared Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Single Room with Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 4-Bed Dormitory

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 4-Bed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 6-Bed Dormitory

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 6-Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 8-Bed Dormitory

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 8-Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Bed In 8 Bed Dormitory

In-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed In 8 Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

Premium Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • Sleeps 1

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About this property

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

Art Deco hostel with a 24-hour front desk and a restaurant
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
  • Just a 2-minute drive from Te Papa and a few minutes from Interislander Ferry Terminal
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

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

For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.

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

Rating 10 - Excellent. 241 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 407 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 224 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 71 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 58 out of 1001 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Furqan Haider

Dirty towels, Broken bath room without soap.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Hala

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
This is a decent place for a quick stay and to be close to the station. I chose it for the location as I needed to be near the university and the station - otherwise, I'd say it's better to stay close to Cuba St or Willis St - other end of town. On the weekend it was really hard to find places that were open to eat. The carpet was dirty, the towels were stained and the room is very basic. So if you're not looking for anything flash, this place is convenient. The staff were super friendly!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

William

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent option, private and a fair price
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Coen

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen, palmerston North

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For a start not enough milk
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Ritaben

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Bathrooms really needed to get cleaned or upgraded 😢 Beds are not so great 😒
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Henry

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Although property old and under some repairs I found room facilities of coffee & milk & radiator heating welcoming. Kitchen self serving facilities good. Would stay there again & recommend to others
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pouneta

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gee

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Csaba

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thant was a bit chilly in the room, and in the bathroom through the wall grill was constant noise
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great value.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
L9vely old art deco building. It is old and well used but well maintained and clean. Perfect for travelling without a vehicle. I felt safe.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Susannah 'Roxy'

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No frills. Just what I needed for a night in town for an early morning event.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

rg

Liked: Staff & service
Ok for a night
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

ivan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Centrally located ,close to buses,trains,stadiums No hot water on the sunday morning
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

faith

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Deborah

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I arrived and was greeted ok. Didn't say what floor I was on but my room number was on a piece of paper. I asked about breakfast included they said no, it is worded about breakfast on the website, it should not be showing. The room numbers were confusing on the doors. It rained and was windy against my room window, a good draft came in through the shut windows, a little puddle of water appeared on the window sill, so yes the room was noisy with weather issues. TV didnt work. No knobs on the heater to work. Bed okish a bit lumpy. The inside of the wardrobe stunk and it had mould inside it. A bit of the ceiling was coming away in the shower. The lifts were good, lounge room ok, kitchen was ok. The vending machine was filled up with products. The area was convenient and close to the buses and railway station, central to the city. I won't be staying again. The place needs to be demolished and rebuilt in my opinion, its far too old. Rating 4/10
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

T

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
It was a good price and was clean and comfortable....nothing flash but close to everything. A good choice
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Frances

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
We had to change our room three times as the first ones we were given were unsuitable, far too small and dark. Our third room was much better. We were disappointed there was no longer a restaurant in the hotel as we had stayed there a few years ago. You now have to go out and eat in the restaurant next door which wasn't always convenient.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have been at the Waterloo hotel in the past.It is cleaned regularly but nothing has been done in the building for at least 15 years in the kitchen or the communal parts: the carpet is worn out the Lino is sticky even just after being washed.My single room and shared bathroom has not been refurbished in years . The room was colder than the rest of the building fortunately the staff is very helpful and provided a small heater.On the positive side the staff is friendly and helpful and towels and bedding perfectly clean.It’s a shame that such a nice art deco building is not is not maintained properly.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025