Art Deco hostel with 24-hour front desk and restaurant
This smoke-free hostel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge and laundry facilities. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a 24-hour front desk, express check-out and a front desk safe.
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offers 108 accommodations with a safe. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers's great location. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Wellington Central Business District. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and a bar.
Free WiFi
Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
Amenities include a front desk safe, locker space and laundry facilities
Guests have great things to say about the location and the helpful staff
Just a 2-minute drive from Te Papa and a few minutes from Interislander Ferry Terminal
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers also features a vending machine, laundry facilities, and express check-out.
This Art Deco Wellington hostel is smoke free.
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 and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out
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 older; 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
No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available.
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Late check-out fee: NZD 10 (subject to availability)
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
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
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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
Although it's not so bad about that hotel in general, it was so bad to stay one night at a place that offers no internet connection. Also, the staff did not advise on how I could access the network.
The room was so noisy because of the severe wind that day as well.
Mohamed
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Ken
21 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Excellent location… right across the street from the RR station
Ken
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Robert Michael
19 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Two things in room i stay need get fix one is window don't close alway and light was flickering be on. But is great place to stay at.
Robert Michael
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Isoa
18 Aug 2025
Isoa
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Isoa
18 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Convenient location to catch ferry, train and to go to the airport.
Isoa
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
4/10 Poor
Furqan Haider
10 Aug 2025
Dirty towels, Broken bath room without soap.
Furqan Haider
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
6/10 Okay
Hala
Business traveller
4 Aug 2025
Liked: Staff & service
This is a decent place for a quick stay and to be close to the station. I chose it for the location as I needed to be near the university and the station - otherwise, I'd say it's better to stay close to Cuba St or Willis St - other end of town. On the weekend it was really hard to find places that were open to eat. The carpet was dirty, the towels were stained and the room is very basic. So if you're not looking for anything flash, this place is convenient. The staff were super friendly!
Although property old and under some repairs I found room facilities of coffee & milk & radiator heating welcoming.
Kitchen self serving facilities good.
Would stay there again & recommend to others