Downtown Backpackers

The people nearby were friendly, and the noise wasn't as bad as I'd expected. But the room was really dirty and looked nothing like the website photos.

There’s noise and what feels like sketchy activity around here day and night. Drug deals happen openly, and being over nightclubs and beside a liquor store seems to bring constant trouble. The water pressure is poor, the showers are cold, and the place feels run-down and unsafe. It seems to take advantage of low-income tenants and vulnerable tourists. I wouldn’t stay here if sleep or safety matters to you.

The private rooms are simple and clean, though the place is a little worn down.

The staff were really nice, and I met some lovely people staying there too. But my room was pretty average, and the bed was so uncomfortable. I paid 468 for a whole week, which felt like really poor value for a short stay. The room hadn't been vacuumed before I moved in, and there were bits of food around the fridge floor. The place is above a club, so Fridays and Saturdays get seriously loud. If partying in Nelson is your thing, the liquor store is right out front. Some days my neighbor banged around so much. My shower water was always cold; I couldn't tell if the shower next door caused it or if mine was just broken. There’s a TV with normal Freeview, but you have to unplug things and swap cords around to use the heater and other appliances. Every room has a shower, even the dorms, so maybe the shower in another room will work for you. I wouldn't want to visit again.