YHA Nelson - Backpackers

A good choice if you want affordable accommodation with a convenient location and plenty of room, both in the bedrooms and shared spaces. The dining area has an unusual feel, somewhere between a shopping mall food court and an American diner. The design is basic and practical rather than stylish. I liked that, especially compared with hostels that can feel pretentious and try to be something they aren’t. Keep it simple and pass the savings on to travellers.

I’ve been back to this hostel several times over the past nine years, first as a teenager and again recently in my mid-twenties. It’s still the same clean, beautiful place. I don’t get the reviews calling the staff unfriendly or the atmosphere “unbackpackery”. The staff are approachable and the hostel is one of the cleanest and best-organised I’ve stayed in. I’m not being paid to say that. Royce has a good sense of humour and does what he can to make sure people have a pleasant stay. He’ll even help arrange trips. There’s loads of space, a great lounge for hanging out, a pleasant outdoor area, and two well-kept kitchens with see-through fridges. The showers are great, with good water pressure. The walls are a little thin, but that’s New Zealand. You can book private saunas for one or two people, and laundry is affordable, $4 each for washing and drying. The dorm bunks are sturdy and hardly creak. It’s right in the town centre, next to the carpark where the region’s biggest farmers’ market is held every Saturday morning. Thanks to the team. I couldn’t recommend it more, and hope to come back soon.

Royce is a very cool owner, and the hostel has clean rooms, comfortable beds, and spotless facilities. They list local points of interest and can arrange activities, including trips around Abel Tasman. Highly recommended if you’re staying in Nelson. Thanks, Royce!

I can’t say what happened to my belongings, but two bags were missing when I returned to the locker room a few hours after checkout. One was a small bag with my glasses and sunglasses; the other was a plastic bag containing personal items like lotion and mouthwash. I’d moved my things from my room to the canteen, checked out at reception around 11am, then shifted the remaining items from the canteen to the locker room. I retraced my steps and told the staff, but the bags weren’t found. Shared spaces can get hectic during checkout, so I’d suggest keeping your valuables and personal items with you. Just sharing this as a reminder for future guests.