Experience comfort and convenience near Wellington Central Business District. Relax with friends over drinks or take advantage of express check-out for your next adventure.
At Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers, you'll be just a 5-minute drive from Te Papa and Cuba Street Mall. You can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant or wind down at the end of the day with a drink from the bar/lounge. This Art Deco hostel is also just a 5-minute drive from Interislander Ferry Terminal. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff and location.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian
At a glance
Hotel size
108 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Express check-out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
At check-in, guests must provide a record of full COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination record requirement applies to all guests aged 12 and up; guests must have received complete COVID-19 vaccination at least 30 days prior to check-in
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cribs (infant beds)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
No onsite parking
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge) on weekday mornings 8:00 AM–noon
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
What to do
Beach nearby
Kayaking nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Facilities
ATM/banking
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Lockers available
Art Deco architecture
Accessibility
Elevator
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay
Optional extras
Cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately NZD 15 to 30 for adults, and NZD 10 to 30 for children
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge of NZD 10 (subject to availability)
Policies
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Cashless transactions are available.
Also known as
Downtown Backpackers
Downtown Backpackers Hostel
Downtown Backpackers Hostel Wellington
Downtown Backpackers Wellington
Hotel Waterloo Backpackers
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Wellington
Hotel Waterloo Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of NZD 10 (subject to availability). Express check-out and contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as kayaking.
Are there restaurants at or near Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant.
What's the area around Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers like?
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers is in Pipitea, a short 1-minute walk from Wellington Station and 16 minutes' walk from Te Papa. Travelers give top marks for the hostel's prime location.
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
7.6/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Staff & service
7.2/10
Amenities
6.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.6/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
8/10 Very Good
Jan 13, 2025
A M
A M, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 10, 2025
Good value.
Very good value.
James
James, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Jan 1, 2025
About location
Good location .
Ichiro
Ichiro, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
Dec 8, 2024
There’s a reason why the price is so low
The place was musty and smelled of mildew; it did not feel clean. The towels they provided were stained. A pane in the window was cracked and makes the room very cold and drafty at night.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Dec 7, 2024
Bogdan
Bogdan, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Nov 3, 2024
This is an old hotel in a location that is fantastically central to train and ferry. Despite the building being very tired, the bed was comfortable, sheets and towels, cup and kettle fresh and tidy. The receptionist was personable and pleasant. The luggage lockers are a real bonus.
Sue
Sue, 1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review
8/10 Very Good
Oct 25, 2024
Budget friendly for a reason
Location cannot be beat...nextto train station and ferry to South Island. But proximity is noisy, and building/rooms are old. Excellent coffee place around corner.
Devki
Devki, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Oct 23, 2024
great value for money
Veronica
Veronica, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
Oct 18, 2024
Clemens
Clemens, 2-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 17, 2024
Very convenient very suitable for my visit
Mervyn
Mervyn, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Oct 6, 2024
Property is quirky and interesting although very old and in need of renovation. Bathroom small and cramped but clean.
Location close to parliament convenient and also bus to airport.
Staff helpful and responsive. Luggage stored ahead of checking in. Dealt promptly with unruly patron.
Elana
Elana, 2-night trip
Verified Lastminute guest review
8/10 Very Good
Oct 6, 2024
Close to the Wellington Station for bus and train, close to the waterfront. It was an easy walk to the waterfront and the city and attractions, and there were plenty of eating/food choices nearby. It had all the facilities we needed for an overnight stay.
Danae
Danae, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
Oct 5, 2024
If you don’t care about were you sleep
Bed was not made from the person that stayed before me.
The cleaner just made it thinking it was okay.
It was very upsetting. The staff man was very nice and helped us and gave us another room.
I wouldn’t ever stay there again.
I stayed in the double bed ensuite room.
Jesse
Jesse, 1-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Sep 30, 2024
Being my real only option for a place to stay (two big events happening in town) it served it’s purpose the bad points where the size of the 6 bedroom dormitory and ensuite ( climbing the ladder to the top bunk was dodgy and the plug to block off the tap for the shower meant low water pressure) I wouldn’t stay more than one night in the dormitory but the single room with ensuite probably would have been a better option for me.
The location ( public transport, sports stadium and town) and being able to use to lockers before check in was a bonus.
Andrew
Andrew, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
Sep 28, 2024
Dirty room, uncomfy beds
Anna
Anna, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 22, 2024
Sarai
Sarai, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 21, 2024
Great service
Sarai
Sarai, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Sep 15, 2024
Handy from blue ridge to bus depot
Anthony
Anthony, 1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 31, 2024
Nice and warm
George
George, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Aug 30, 2024
Tasha
Tasha, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 25, 2024
It is handy to train and bus stations, easy walk into main streets for shopping. Staff, the few I saw were pleasant and helpful. This was my second visit there, would happily go again.
Marcia
Marcia, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 22, 2024
all ok
Mary
Mary, 7-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 19, 2024
Mark
Mark, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 12, 2024
Easy to get everywhere we wanted to go
Carmen
Carmen, 3-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 4, 2024
Easy check in. Safe feeling inside Hotel with sercurity cards and 24hr person on desk. Clean well stocked room. Thanks alot