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Downtown Backpackers

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

Choose dates to view prices

Downtown Backpackers sits in the center of Nelson City, offering practical comforts for travelers. The sunny terrace provides a relaxing spot after city exploration, while laundry facilities, in-room WiFi, luggage storage, and express check-out make for a hassle-free stay.

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Kitchen
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

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 | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm, Ensuite

Highlights

TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • 194 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Queen Room

Queen Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Queen Room

Highlights

Heating
Refrigerator
TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • 118 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm | Free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Highlights

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

Map
131 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010

What's nearby

  • Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Queens Gardens - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Nelson Market - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Trafalgar Park - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles

Getting around

  • Nelson (NSN) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Two Thumb Brewing Co. - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Tasty Tucker Bakery - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Free House - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Sprig + Fern Hardy Street - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Haroo Sushi - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Downtown Backpackers

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

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip 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

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
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property 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 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 smoke detector

We should mention

Children 17 years old and younger are not permitted 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

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 Dec 8, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Downtown Backpackers on Dec 9, 2025 start from $47.49, excluding 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?

Check-out 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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Reviews

Downtown Backpackers Reviews

6.0

6.6

Cleanliness

7.4

Location

7.0

Staff & service

4.6

Eco-friendliness

6.2

Property conditions & facilities
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

Patricia

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

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

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

Thomas

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

Geoff

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

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

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

4/10 Poor

Christopher

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

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

Verified traveler

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

6/10 Okay

Shivraj

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 traveler

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 traveler

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 traveler

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Great location, friendly staff, good wifi

It took me a while to find the entrance (back of the building). And notice that there are some clubs nearby so it can get noisy at night. Entrance was a bit dirty with rubbish on the ground and it wasn't really pleasant when there was people smoking right in front of the door, but after that I really enjoyed my stay. Staff was super friendly and informative, they made sure everything was fine and working. The room was a bit small and the bathroom could use some upgrading but everything was working and I did get a good night sleep. Good common areas and great wifi! I would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Hostellet hadde veldig fine fellesområder og hyggelig ansatte som var veldig behjelpelig med informasjon og aktiviteter. På den andre siden var ikke renholdet noe særlig.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

2/10 Terrible

James

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

Very noisy

This backpackers is above the craziest night club in Nelson. Only stay there if you wanna party or you will not get any sleep.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Kevin, Waipu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Week Day Stay Only

Room was clean tidy with good shower. Kitchen was very well equipped. Just BEWARE of the fact you are above a nightclub. Friday night was VERY loud till 3am.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Kim

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

good location & staff

good accommodation at a reasonable price and convenient.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jett, Hamilton, NZ

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location. Just be mindful that the parking is located at the back of the bar.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

2/10 Terrible

Christopher

Disliked: Staff & service

Review of Downtown Backpackers Nelson New Zealand

A location in the centre of the very, very noisy heart of Nelson Town. Discos immediately below thumped out music from 10pm till 3am on Fri & Sat. The whole building & my bedroom floor vibrated. Impossible to sleep. Rooms were advertised as being serviced daily but mine was only serviced on 4 occasions in my 11 day stay. I queried this with the Manager and he advised that the relevant member of staff "was in Auckland". I had to ask for toilet rolls, and complementary milk and tea top ups all the time. Returning to an untidy and not made up room on many occasions is not satisfactory and unacceptable and is in breach of the Terms and conditions under which I booked the accommodation. As they have been not complied with in respect of daily serviced accommodation I believe I am entitled to a partial refund. Please advise on how I can make a claim.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Not bad overall for a one night stay, room was a little dirty in the corners but overall not a bad experience