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 helpful staff and the location
Steps from Wellington Central Business District and 3 minutes on foot from Lambton Quay
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
Rating 10 - Excellent. 243 out of 1000 reviews
10 - Excellent
243
Rating 8 - Good. 407 out of 1000 reviews
8 - Good
407
Rating 6 - Okay. 220 out of 1000 reviews
6 - Okay
220
Rating 4 - Poor. 72 out of 1000 reviews
4 - Poor
72
Rating 2 - Terrible. 58 out of 1000 reviews
2 - Terrible
58
7.6/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Staff & service
7.0/10
Amenities
6.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
8/10 Good
Rosemary
Travelled with family
16 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Cleaners were friendly and helpful.
Rosemary
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
8/10 Good
Qingyi
5 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Two bedrooms share a toilet and bath room in a separate corner. My bedroom has a sink with two faucets, with hot and cold water.
Elevators were a trip to ride. Very conveniently located across from the main rail station. Water was blisteringly hot, beds were comfortable enough for a good night’s nap.
Clean, comfortable and close to train and ferry. The Gastro Pub attached/in the Hostel serves very good food in good portions. Enjoyable again.
Anthony
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
6/10 Okay
Kathryn
Travelled with partner
28 Nov 2025
Liked: Staff & service
We were able to check in late (our boat docked at 1am) felt save with a buzzer entry. Room was basic but fine. Windows were okd so a fair bit of street noise was present all night
Kathryn
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
6/10 Okay
Carol
Travelled with family
26 Nov 2025
Liked: Staff & service
A bit run down but suitable for cheap, one night stop over.
Hotel rooms are not the same that are shown in photos it’s a old rooms with dirty smell, no trolly at reception to carry bags to room. No parking for cars available on site. Everthing is fake photos that are shown when we are booking on site. Windows are single glass old frame to much noise can’t sleep with kids. Overall i thought expedia is a good site to book good hotels but i thought i am not using expedia in future for booking.
Gurpreet
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Paul
24 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
For the price, it was good. Very old building with single pane windows, in a windy city like Wellington, you can really feel the draft in some places.
Overall however I would stay in a private room here again.
Paul
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Mayette
Business traveller, Travelled with group
24 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Mayette
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Daniel
24 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The staff was friendly and helpful. The building was vintage but in decent repair. The location is excellent.
Clean room with broken window so very cold. In need of an update. Staff all friendly and helpful. Great location. Fridge and microwave and kettle in room plus shared kitchen
Dawn
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Colleen
13 Nov 2025
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Colleen
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
8/10 Good
Elise
Travelled with family
11 Nov 2025
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.
Elise
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
6/10 Okay
gaelle
9 Nov 2025
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
You get what you pay for.
That said, great location.