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Overview of Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)

Photo gallery

Featured image
In-room safe, free WiFi, linens
In-room safe, free WiFi, linens
In-room safe, free WiFi, linens
In-room safe, free WiFi, linens

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)

2 out of 5

3.8/5 Good

Guests rated this property 3.8/5 for cleanliness.

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast Available
  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping

Cleaning and safety practices

  • Cleaned with disinfectant
  • Hand sanitiser provided
  • Personal protective equipment

Explore the area

    Popular LocationLambton Quay3 min walk
    Popular LocationOld St Paul's6 min walk
    Popular LocationBeehive6 min walk
    AirportWellington (WLG-Wellington Intl.)19 min drive

Choose dates to view prices

  • Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom

    Photos of Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Double Bed
    More detailsStandard Double Room, Private Bathroom

  • Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

    Photos of Twin, Double & Single Ensuite

    4.2/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 3
    • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed
    More detailsTwin, Double & Single Ensuite

  • Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (8 Beds)

    Photos of Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (8 Beds)

    Room amenities

    • 35 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsShared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (8 Beds)

  • Double Shared Bathroom

    Photos of Double Shared Bathroom

    4.6/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Double Bed
    More detailsDouble Shared Bathroom

  • Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

    Photos of Shared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

    3.9/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 32 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsShared Dormitory, Private Bathroom (6 Beds)

  • Bunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

    Photos of Bunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsBunk Style Twin (Shared Bathroom)

  • 20 Bunk Style Room (mixed)

    Photos of 20 Bunk Style Room (mixed)

    Room amenities

    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More details20 Bunk Style Room (mixed)

  • Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

    Photos of Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

    Room amenities

    • 30 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsShared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom (4 Beds)

  • Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

    Photos of Basic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

    Room amenities

    • 32 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsBasic Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

  • Double Ensuite

    Photos of Double Ensuite

    4.6/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Double Bed
    More detailsDouble Ensuite

  • Single (Shared Bathroom)

    Photos of Single (Shared Bathroom)

    4.5/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 20 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bed
    More detailsSingle (Shared Bathroom)

  • Bunk Style Twin Ensuite

    Photos of Bunk Style Twin Ensuite

    4/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Single Bunk Bed
    More detailsBunk Style Twin Ensuite

  • Shared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

    Photos of Shared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

    4.4/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 32 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bed
    More detailsShared Dormitory, Ensuite (6 Bed, Female Only)

  • Single Room, Ensuite

    Photos of Single Room, Ensuite

    5/5 guest room rating

    Room amenities

    • 28 sq m
    • Sleeps 1
    • 1 Single Bed
    More detailsSingle Room, Ensuite

About this area

Wellington

Located in Wellington, Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) is in the city centre and near the beach. Interislander Ferry Terminal and Zealandia are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Wellington Zoo and The Weta Cave. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at TSB Bank Arena or Westpac Stadium. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as kayaking.
Visit our Wellington travel guide
View more Hostels in Wellington
View map
Map
Popular Location

What's nearby

  • Lambton Quay - 3 min walk
  • St Paul's Cathedral - 6 min walk
  • Old St Paul's - 6 min walk
  • Beehive - 6 min walk
  • New Zealand Parliament Buildings - 7 min walk

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Thistle Inn - 4 min walk
  • The Backbencher - 5 min walk
  • Mojo - 5 min walk
  • Annam Restaurant - 5 min walk
  • Avida Bar - 5 min walk
View map

About this property

Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)

Eco-friendly hostel with restaurant and bar/lounge
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 tour/ticket assistance. Rooms offer complimentary wireless Internet access and safes.
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) offers 108 forms of accommodation 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.

Awards and affiliations

Green/Sustainable Property
This property participates in Qualmark, a programme that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: The Environment, the community, the cultural heritage and the local economy.

Cleaning and safety practices

Enhanced cleanliness measures

Disinfectant is used to clean the property

Social distancing

Contactless check-out
Protective shields in place at main contact areas
Social distancing measures in place

Safety measures

Personal protective equipment worn by staff
Hand sanitiser provided
Individually wrapped food options available for breakfast, dinner and through room service
This information is provided by our partners.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and public transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • Cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee weekdays 7:00 AM–10:00 AM: NZD 15-30 for adults and NZD 10-30 for children
  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 bar

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Lift
  • Lockers available

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Languages spoken

  • Chinese
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Heating
  • Linens

More

  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in from 3:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Express check-out

Special check-in instructions

To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk, key retrieval

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals welcome)

Children and extra beds

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

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.

Optional extras

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at the time of service, check-in or check-out.

  • Breakfast fee: between NZD 15 and NZD 30 for adults, and NZD 10 and NZD 30 for children (approximately)
  • Early check-in 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
No on-site parking is available
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted

Property is also known as

Downtown Backpackers
Downtown Backpackers Hostel
Downtown Backpackers Hostel Wellington
Downtown Backpackers Wellington

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel my reservation for free at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) and receive a full refund?
Yes, Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
How much does it cost to stay at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)?
As of 19 Jan 2021, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) on 23 Jan 2021 start from NZ$76, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)?
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)?
Check-in is from 3:00 PM - 1:00 AM. Early check-in is available for a fee of NZD 10 (subject to availability).
What time is check-out at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)?
Checkout is at 10 AM.
Where is Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers) located?
Located in the heart of Wellington, this eco-friendly hostel is within a 5-minute walk of Wellington Central Business District and Wellington Waterfront. TSB Bank Arena and Westpac Stadium are also within 15 minutes. Wellington Station is only a 1-minute walk.
3.8
Good
Rating 5 - Excellent. 164 out of 705 reviews
5 - Excellent 23%
Rating 4 - Good. 313 out of 705 reviews
4 - Good 44%
Rating 3 - Okay. 167 out of 705 reviews
3 - Okay 24%
Rating 2 - Poor. 42 out of 705 reviews
2 - Poor 6%
Rating 1 - Terrible. 19 out of 705 reviews
1 - Terrible 3%

3.8/5

Cleanliness

3.9/5

Staff & service

3.8/5

Amenities

3.5/5

Property conditions & facilities

4/5 Good

Travelled with partner
Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service
it was the perfect location for our trip. WE got off the Northern Explorer at the station and stayed the night before our very early ferry from Wellington to Picton 2 minutes walk away.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

2/5 Poor

Happy face iconLiked: Staff & service
Sad face IconDisliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location was good as were some of the old fixtures. Appreciated 24 hour staffing if I had needed it
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

5/5 Excellent

Travelled with family
Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best back packers in wellington city.
our stay was wonderful the young mas that checked us in was outstanding he went the extra mile to much sure we had ever thing we needed. The train and buses and the blue bridge was just across the road. the beds were very nice we all had a good sleep . and heaps of hot water. most of all McDonalds and Subway were right next door .
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

4/5 Good

Travelled with partner
Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location for a late night arrival. Quiet rooms and bed was comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

1/5 Terrible

Sad face IconDisliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pay online is unsafe hotel room was not available!
I paid in full online with my credit card but upon arrival they DID NOT CHECK ME IN. They said the online service double booked customers and the room was not available. This after I paid in full for the room. Waterloo Hotel said it is the online service fault. The online service said the hotel has not reported any abnormality to them. Hotels.com will verify my claim because the Waterloo H. is not answering their call.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

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