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Downtown Backpackers

2.0 star property
Hostel in Nelson with a 24-hour front desk

Photo gallery for Downtown Backpackers

Property amenity
Interior
Interior
Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access
Queen Room | Bathroom

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
The current price is NZ$108
includes taxes & fees
10 Mar - 11 Mar

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room

Single Room

Highlights

TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Bed in 8 Bed Mixed Dorm

Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Bed in 8 Bed Mixed Dorm

Highlights

TV
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 8
  • 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

Highlights

TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Queen Room

Queen Room

Queen Room

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

Exterior detail

YHA Nelson by Accents - Hostel

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Game room
  • Business services
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (93)
The price is NZ$116
includes taxes & fees
11 Mar - 12 Mar
YHA Nelson by Accents - Hostel
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About the area

Map
131 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010

What's nearby

  • Nelson Provincial Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Nelson Market - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Trafalgar Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Nelson Hospital - 4 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

  • Nelson (NSN) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Bridge Street Collective - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Shark Club - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Kimchi & Wasabi - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Tasty Tucker Bakery - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Downtown Backpackers

Hostel located in Nelson City Centre
Downtown Backpackers provides amenities, such as a terrace and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Additional perks include:
  • A round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge), express check-out and express check-in
  • A 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and barbecues
Room features
All guest rooms at Downtown Backpackers include amenities, such as free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Communal kitchens and daily housekeeping

Languages

Arabic, English

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

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access
LIST_ALT

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
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

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals 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.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

MONETIZATION_ON

Important information

You need to know

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 on-site 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 smoke detector

We should mention

Children 17 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Downtown Backpackers pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Downtown Backpackers?

As of 9 Mar 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Downtown Backpackers on 10 Mar 2025 start from NZ$108.00, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Downtown Backpackers?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: midnight.

What time is check-out at Downtown Backpackers?

Checkout is at 10 AM.

Does Downtown Backpackers provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle.

Where is Downtown Backpackers located?

Located in Nelson City Centre, this hostel is within a 5-minute walk of The Suter, Montgomery Square and Nelson Provincial Museum. Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre and Nelson Market are also within 10 minutes.

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Downtown Backpackers Reviews

Reviews

6.0
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 16 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 65 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

4.0/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

4.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Fiona

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

4/10 Poor

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
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

Patricia

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

8/10 Good

Katrina

Liked: 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

Geoff

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

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

2/10 Terrible

Paul

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

Christopher

Liked: 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

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

6/10 Okay

Patricia

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

stephen

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Sue

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

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, 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

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

6/10 Okay

Shivraj

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

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

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: 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

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

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018