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Downtown Backpackers

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

Photo gallery for Downtown Backpackers

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm | Shared kitchen
Interior
Laundry room
Lobby sitting area
Property amenity

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
The current price is NZ$280
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov

Explore the area

View 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)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room

Single Room

Highlights

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

View all photos for Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Highlights

TV
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

About the area

Nelson

At Downtown Backpackers you'll be within a short 5-minute stroll of The Suter and Montgomery Square. Highlights at this hostel include free in-room WiFi. .This hostel has free WiFi in public areas, a 24-hour front desk and a terrace. Added amenities include laundry facilities, barbecues and a picnic area. There's also the convenience of an airport shuttle. .Sights within a 15-minute walk of this Nelson City Centre hostel include Nelson Provincial Museum and Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre.
View more Hostels in NelsonOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Queens Gardens - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Nelson Market - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Trafalgar Park - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Nelson Hospital - 3 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

  • Nelson (NSN) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Two Thumb Brewing Co. - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Free House - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Tasty Tucker Bakery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Bridge Street Collective - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Victus. - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Downtown Backpackers

Hostel in Nelson with a 24-hour front desk
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.

  • 14 guestrooms or units
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Terrace
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Smoking in designated areas
Downtown Backpackers offers 14 accommodations. This Nelson hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include a shower. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

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The price is NZ$97
includes taxes & fees
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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
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

  • 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.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve on-site parking. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

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

National rating

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

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

What is the cancellation policy at Downtown Backpackers?

Downtown Backpackers offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Downtown Backpackers?

As of 19 Oct 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Downtown Backpackers on 16 Nov 2025 start from NZ$280.00, 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.

Are there any beaches close to Downtown Backpackers?

The closest beach to Downtown Backpackers is Tahunanui Beach Reserve (4.2 km).

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Downtown Backpackers?

No, but there's an airport shuttle for a fee.

What time are check-in & check-out at Downtown Backpackers?

Check-in begins at 2 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM.

Are pets allowed at Downtown Backpackers?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Reviews

Downtown Backpackers Reviews

6.0

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

4.0/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

4.6/10

Eco-friendliness
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

Reviews

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

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