Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

Breakfast area
Terrace/patio
Exterior
Twin, Double & Single Ensuite
Interior

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View map
1 Bunny Street Wellington Cbd, Wellington, 6011
  • Place, Wellington Central Business District
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Lambton Quay
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Archives New Zealand
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Wellington (WLG-Wellington Intl.)
    ‪12 min drive‬

Room options

Double Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(27 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Single (Shared Bathroom)

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(17 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Bunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 24 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (8 Beds)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

Shared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

  • 24 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(18 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Double Shared Bathroom

7.6 out of 10
Good
(4 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Single Room, Ensuite

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(15 reviews)
  • 19 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Premium Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • 24 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

Double Room with Private Bathroom

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2

Twin Double&Single Ensuite

  • Sleeps 3

Ensuite Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

Single Room With Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1

Double Room with Shared Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2

Single Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1

Bed In 4-Bed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1

Bed In 6-Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

Bed In 8-Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

Bed In 8 Bed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

Premium Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • Sleeps 1

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About the area

Wellington

With a stay at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers, you'll be centrally located in Wellington, within a 5-minute drive of Interislander Ferry Terminal and Lambton Quay. .This hostel is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Wellington Central Business District and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Old St Paul's.

What's nearby

  • Wellington Central Business District - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Lambton Quay - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Archives New Zealand - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • New Zealand Parliament Buildings - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Sky Stadium - 13 min walk - 1.1 km

Getting around

  • Wellington Station - 1 min walk
  • Wellington Intl. Airport (WLG) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mojo Featherston - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Concorde Café - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Coffee Supreme Midland Park - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Trax Cafe & Bar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Master Kong - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers

Art Deco hostel with a restaurant, near Interislander Ferry Terminal
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offers 108 accommodations with safes. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 108 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include safes, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
At Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge.
Featured amenities include express check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities.
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers has a restaurant on site.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lockers
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Art Deco architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Cable/satellite channels

More

  • Heating
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: NZD 10
Express check-out available

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Late check-out fee: NZD 10 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is 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

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 248 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 406 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 223 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 74 out of 1010 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 59 out of 1010 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Melinda

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Colleen

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Elise

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The room was very clean and well laid out. The cleaning staff that I bumped into in the hall were so lovely. I wouldn’t recommend this place for someone that is a light-sleeper - as the building is very old, the sound proofing on the windows is non-existent so you can hear everything from the road below.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

gaelle

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
You get what you pay for. That said, great location.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Liz

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was fine staff could of been more welcoming
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Miriam

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room was clean and tidy.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Deborah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, clean, good room.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

L M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very clean room. Nice to have tea-making facilities and microwave. Staff always wonderful here.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Shane

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarai

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff are very friendly and area is good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nurfadhila

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Jordyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamaica

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers. The place felt welcoming from the start. Solid facilities, and genuinely warm, attentive staff all contributed to a relaxed and pleasant experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

anish

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Do not stay here!! Pictures on websites are deceptive to what the actual rooms and facilities are. Place stinks, is old and terribly outdated. Beds and beddings have stains and smelly. Floor carpet is filthy and smells. Overall stay was a nightmare. Staff unhelpful.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Gordon

Travelled with family
A 2 star hotel so it's a bit old and tired, but has comfortable beds and hot showers. Close to public transport, eateries and within walking distance of the CBD
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were lovely. Accommodation was average but i was solo travelling so for price i couldnt complain.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trish

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Customer service was excellent - ensuite room clean and warm - close to train and BlueBridge ferry. Perfect, thank you.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Close to railway and bluebridge
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

KAREN, Greymouth

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to all shopping needs
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Joe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Convenient, central location.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Ning

Disliked: Amenities
Too old building
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Shama Rolyn

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Liked the friendly staff but the overall hygiene of the room not up to standard. The beddings were stained white sheets. The windows glasses cracked.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have stayed 3 times. I enjoyed the whole stay. Loved the views from recent stays. Look forward to staying again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Ben

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It's a real propper dive. Booked here as it was the last available place in town with space. Now I know why. Staff were friendly enough but there's no getting around the dire facility.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

William

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025