Rutherford Hotel Nelson

The staff were the best part of our couple of nights at The Rutheford. Every person we dealt with was kind and genuinely helpful, and the bar had a relaxed feel that made it a nice place for a drink. We had spacious, quiet rooms on the eighth floor looking toward the cathedral. The bedsheets were crisp, the bathroom spotless, and the towels soft and plentiful. There was also a kettle with tea and coffee, a well-stocked mini-bar, a mini-fridge and ironing gear. The location is hard to beat for a first trip to Nelson, and the hotel’s older public spaces have a bit of charm. The breakfast buffet was fine, though nothing special, so we skipped it on the second day. The carpets need a serious clean. My white house socks were filthy after walking around the room for two evenings. The furnishings look worn, though most were clean, with the curtains needing attention too. The mattresses are still comfortable enough, but seem near the end of their life. I noticed a musty smell now and then, and suspect a deep clean and new mattresses could help. I know major cleaning and replacement work is costly and difficult to schedule in a busy hotel, but it would make a real difference. At these prices, cleanliness matters, and if things get worse people may stop booking. With that work, The Rutheford could become a place people feel they have to stay. We were happy there and I’ll return. The hotel has heart. Thanks for a lovely stay.