Check in as a traveller and leave as a friend. Help yourself to our tea and real coffee and tuck into a complimentary breakfast each morning. Sit on the deck and gaze at the sea or Centre of New Zealand whilst strumming one of our guitars or reading a book from our international book exchange. Play a tune on the piano in the music room. Lie back and swing in one of our hammocks. Access our free WiFi and check your emails in our spacious lounge. Enjoy hot pressured showers in our delightful colourful bathrooms. Enjoy socialising at the BBQ area with new friends. Make friends with one of our hostel cats. Enjoy a good night's sleep in one of our spacious dorms or doubles (no bunks!). A place to relax and a base to explore one of New Zealand's most interesting cities, rich in art and culture, which enjoys 2500 hours of sunshine per year. Explore the Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks, right on our doorstep.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
My room with a Million Dollar view was absolutely fantastic and even though being in a dorm room, I truly enjoyed sleeping in a big bed (Q/S bed) with only two other roommates in room. No bunk beds whatsoever which was a great relief for me. This backpackers has truly its own charm and every room got single beds and are nicely decorated with different wallpaper. Dave, the owner, is a Five-Star host who gets out of his way to help the people and the planet. Every morning Dave himself sorts out the recycling with great care. When asked to drop me off at bus stop and airport there was no hesitation whatsoever. His staff is also very caring and friendly. Thank you Karen, Lilith and Tye for a wonderful stay (which I, by the way, extended for another week). Thank you from the bottom of my heart. See you next time whenever taht will be. Blessings from DownUnder Britta
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Room Tip:best view in room called Cathedral
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So I read the bad reviews and I don't get it. I think it's all about your expectations. When I book an inexpensive hostel I expect place where I will drop my bag , discover the town , at night try to sleep which is kinda impossible anyway and get out the next day. What a surprise it was when I checked in the Palace hostel. Beautiful historical building, nice decoration, lot of woodwork , very friendly receptionists , lot's of space in the room and my own bed was comfy. Not a bunk bed. I can only speak for my room ( cathedral) but all was good. Yes it's old , some things doesn't work as new but my general feeling was that I could stay there for a month :). Tidiness of the kitchen depends on the guests mainly , not so much on the personnel. In my case it was all right. Definitely recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:There is a washing machine and dryer available 👍
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you looking for a nice relaxed, and friendly place to stay? The Palace is a unique, character house that is easy-going with a guaranteed opportunity to meet some great people worldwide and the locals. They provide a nice kitchen space to cook your own meals, a simple yet enjoyable breakfast provided each morning if you need it, and easy sleeping arrangements. It was a great short stay.
Also, just walking distance to get into town across the road to check out the shops, restaurants, and other activities Nelson offers.
I recommend giving this place a go when you are in Nelson.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Not as clean as I would expect for a backpackers – like a student flat. The room we stayed in was ad-hoc and we weren't sure about the cleanliness of the bedding and pillows so used our own (we had camping gear in the car). Shared bathroom also dirty, with soap bar and puddle on the floor. Kitchen was exactly like a flat, dishes and expired food on the bench. We also had an unexpected visitor to our room late at night when we were sleeping (visitor thought the room was empty, possibly they worked as a cleaner).
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First off the vibe of the place was great! With so many longtermers (working in everything from local vegan restaurants, coffee shops and icecream parlours, to fruitpicking and tree cutting) it was instantly easy to make friends here around the large common room table. People were so often ready to hike up into the Grampians reserve, walk over to Tahunanui Beach, or go for a drink in town! Dave, the owner, likes to make sure the hostel is an easygoing place where people can enjoy themselves, and he so often succeeds! Also he's a complete rugby nut, which is fantastic!
There are no bunkbeds! Every dorm room has comfortable single-level beds, which is a bloody luxury after so many other hostels cramming bunk beds into every cranny they can fit.
Tonnes of guitars strewn about the place, hammocks in the gardens, free bakery breakfast + real coffee, tv room for movie nights, so close to Nelson city centre you can roll down into it within a minute - safe to say I really enjoyed my time here!
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Date of stay: January 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Comfy bed and very clean facilities. I enjoyed every minute of my stay and the general upbeat vibe of the place was excellent. Having breakfast available and included in the room price was particularly good value.
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Date of stay: December 2021
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hostel was amazing! Great for solo travellers or groups or anyone. So inclusive and welcoming and friendly. Dave helped us so much when we were having car troubles I am eternally grateful to him. Free breakfast and coffee!! And the building is literally like a palace, it's a giant vintage house on top of a hill with all this interesting artwork hung all around. Unmissable if you are staying in Nelson!!!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pros: The location was great, staff were friendly. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The free breakfast is always nice to have.
Cons: The room smells like smoke (not for those who don't like smoke) The carpet was dusty (not for those with dust allergies) The floors creak each time you walk around (not for those with an earthquake related trauma?) The walls don't block sound (can hear the people next door talking if you're sensitive to sound) The internet was variable in terms of reliability The bed whilst not being a bunk bed being great, aren't comfortable for those after having done a long trek and have a sensitive back.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unfortunately the photos don't represent the current state. It was very dirty with dirt and mould in most areas, lights not working, ripped curtains, ceiling falling through. The spa advertised on the website didn't exist. Was cheap though.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When we first turned up I wasn't too sure about it, but then after getting settled in it's one of the best hostels I've ever been to.
Being so far from home, it was so homely. We layed in the hammocks most of the afternoon which was bliss. The location is so close to bars, restaurants, fast food and supermarkets that we sat and had takeaway pizza and beers in their gorgeous garden.
Their kitchen is amazing, super spacious and generous with the food in the morning. I loved sitting on the veranda and having too much tea!
Thanks for a wonderful stay in your unique and homely hostel!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Nelson area.
PRICE RANGE
$40 - $42 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandNelson-Tasman RegionNelson
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Palace Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to The Palace Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include Nelson Saturday Market (0.1 miles), Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao (0.2 miles), and Craft Beer Depot (0.3 miles).