Tides Hotel
66 Trafalgar Street, Nelson 7010 New Zealand
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Avg. $220 /night, 2/9 - 2/10
$220
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$123
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About
#9 of 41 hotels in Nelson
Location
4.7
Rooms
4.2
Value
4.1
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.5
Sleep Quality
4.3
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Welcome to Tides Hotel, one of Nelson's most stylish and contemporary venues. We are centrally located within a few minutes walk of Nelson's central shopping precinct, theatres, cultural and sporting attractions, restaurants and cafes, the information centre and close to the scenic waterfront. Stay in the heart of Nelson City and explore the region, famous for its sunshine, wine, seafood, art and craft, Saturday morning open-air market, its five national parks and abundance of outdoor recreation. Tides Hotel is right on the river and many of its rooms open onto the riverside. There are 47 rooms consisting of studios, studio spas, spacious suites and interconnecting rooms. Also overlooking the river is the award-winning Tides Bar & Eatery. There are three serviced conference rooms for your next business event, wedding or function. For the business traveller, we have up-to-the-minute facilities to make your stay most productive. Our staff are on hand 24 hours to respond to your requirements.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Highchairs available
Taxi service
Business Center with Internet Access
Electric vehicle charging station
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Happy hour
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun terrace
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Desk
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Electric blanket
Complimentary toiletries
Room service
Telephone
Bottled water
Iron
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Electric kettle
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
River View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English
Hotel links
Location
Getting there
Good for walkers
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.
Grade: 84 out of 100
84
39 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
4.5
857 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Tides Hotel comes highly recommended for its prime location and its clean, comfortable rooms that offer scenic river views, according to numerous guests. While the amenities, including excellent dining options, contribute to a satisfying stay, some guests have noticed noise issues from neighboring rooms. The hotel's artistic atmosphere and quirky decor add a unique charm, albeit with mixed feelings about the purple walls.
Travelers commend the friendly staff, but some have experienced service inconsistencies. Overall, visitors believe the hotel provides good value for the experience.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Eclectic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Outstanding
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
My 64th birthday shared with family. enjoyed a lovely meal with great service. I had one of the best steak's I have ever had plus a Sticky Date dessert with a candle. thank you Trailways, we all enjoyed the night. Will be back again soon thar's for sure.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip 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.
Response from Toby Munro, General Manager at Tides Hotel
Responded Dec 14, 2024
Hi Robyn Thank you for your review We are very happy to hear you enjoyed your meal with us and celebrating your special day here 🥳 We hope to welcome you back soon Kind regards Elesha
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent two separate nights at the Tides Hotel before and after an extended hiking trek. The hotel is conveniently located in the city center within walking distance of shops, restaurants, parks and the harbor. Upon arrival both days the staff was welcoming and offered an early check-in given as our room was ready. They offered luggage storage while we were on trail and have a guest laundry room which we utilized upon our return.
The room was cozy, clean, comfortably appointed and offered a scenic view of the river. Coffee and tea service, bottled water, milk as well as robes were provided which was a nice touch.
The restaurant was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We dined there for all three meals over the course of our stay. The wine and beer list was satisfactory and the food very good with ample size portions. We found the wait staff to be cheery and attentive.
We enjoy tramping in the Nelson Lakes area and will choose to stay at the Tides again on a future trip.
The room was cozy, clean, comfortably appointed and offered a scenic view of the river. Coffee and tea service, bottled water, milk as well as robes were provided which was a nice touch.
The restaurant was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We dined there for all three meals over the course of our stay. The wine and beer list was satisfactory and the food very good with ample size portions. We found the wait staff to be cheery and attentive.
We enjoy tramping in the Nelson Lakes area and will choose to stay at the Tides again on a future trip.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip 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.
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Travellers from Ireland. The Tides was booked on line on the basis, largely, of location. We booked an upper floor room with a river view. Definitely worth doing. The room was very comfortable and unlike every other hotel room we have stayed in it was not overly hot. In fact it was quite cool and so we turned up the heating. For the first time ever we stayed in a hotel with electric blankets - my wife was in heaven. We ate in the restaurant twice and the food was superb; could not recommend highly enough and the staff were excellent. All of the staff were great and twice the housekeeping ladies helped us out with requests for additional room supplies. Would definitly recommend The Tides to anyone staying in Nelson. Five stars all the way.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Staying here is great.
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.
Response from Toby Munro, General Manager at Tides Hotel
Responded Aug 24, 2024
Hi Colina Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed staying with us and the handy location We will be sure to pass your feedback on to our team. See you next time Kind regards Elesha
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Tides is an updated motel, a very nice updated motel. The front desk staff is helpful and friendly, and housekeeping kept our room tidy. We stayed there before and after hiking Abel Tasman. Both rooms were on the second floor overlooking the river. Our first room was in the middle of the floor, and was peaceful and the balcony a nice place to relax. The second room we had was at the beginning of the hall, closer to the restaurant patio, so we could hear the music and conversations. The river is actually an estuary, so other than at high tide, there wasn’t much water in it.
I would not stay at the Tides again. The main reason is the plumbing and bathroom. The plumbing is very loud. You better hope the adjoining room does not take an early, or late, shower. The noise will be loud in your room. And, don’t have a private conversation in your bathroom; a person next door can hear it perfectly. The sofa bed in our first room must have been broken. When I sat down, I was very close to the floor.
The restaurant was a disappointment. It seems understaffed. We wanted to order off the menu for a breakfast, and no one stopped by to ask if we wanted anything. We had a dinner there, and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come over to answer questions or take our order. The breakfast buffet is fine, but I wouldn’t get the eggs again.
I would not stay at the Tides again. The main reason is the plumbing and bathroom. The plumbing is very loud. You better hope the adjoining room does not take an early, or late, shower. The noise will be loud in your room. And, don’t have a private conversation in your bathroom; a person next door can hear it perfectly. The sofa bed in our first room must have been broken. When I sat down, I was very close to the floor.
The restaurant was a disappointment. It seems understaffed. We wanted to order off the menu for a breakfast, and no one stopped by to ask if we wanted anything. We had a dinner there, and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come over to answer questions or take our order. The breakfast buffet is fine, but I wouldn’t get the eggs again.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip 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.
Response from Toby Munro, General Manager at Tides Hotel
Responded Mar 9, 2024
Hi Bruce Thank you for your review. We are pleased you received friendly service from our team we will pass this on. We will be sure to look into your feedback. Regards Elesha
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have revisited this hotel 8 years later. there is new ownership.
Pros:
1. Well located and within walking distance to downtown and shops.
2. Second floor riverside rooms have balconies with seating and a view of the river which rises and falls with the tides
3, Friendly staff including the restaurant which serves interesting food.
4, Clean and orderly
Cons:
1. Buffet breakfast was mediocre, but al a carte has tasty and had interesting breakfast dishes.
2. Inadequate parking for guests
3. Surprisingly the hotel does not provide an adequate number of towels for 2 people in the room. Twice we needed to go to the front desk for another hand towel and facecloth. On the 3rd evening, we gave up bothering the nice man at the front desk and made do with 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel and 1 facecloth.
4. There is no elevator which makes carrying up large suitcases up the stairs difficult. The nice young man at the front desk helped us when we arrived but there was no one to help to carry our suitcases downstairs.
Pros:
1. Well located and within walking distance to downtown and shops.
2. Second floor riverside rooms have balconies with seating and a view of the river which rises and falls with the tides
3, Friendly staff including the restaurant which serves interesting food.
4, Clean and orderly
Cons:
1. Buffet breakfast was mediocre, but al a carte has tasty and had interesting breakfast dishes.
2. Inadequate parking for guests
3. Surprisingly the hotel does not provide an adequate number of towels for 2 people in the room. Twice we needed to go to the front desk for another hand towel and facecloth. On the 3rd evening, we gave up bothering the nice man at the front desk and made do with 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel and 1 facecloth.
4. There is no elevator which makes carrying up large suitcases up the stairs difficult. The nice young man at the front desk helped us when we arrived but there was no one to help to carry our suitcases downstairs.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip 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.


Not sure what happened here but we ended up with the worst room on the ground floor with a door opening to the car park and paid $495 for 1 night.
The room was advertised with a balcony however there was no balcony, only 2 plastic seats and a plastic table placed on the concrete path used by guests to access the pool and car park (see pics). The hotel continues to insist that all rooms have a balcony.
There were other rooms available looking out over the river for $335 a night however reception would not refund the difference seeming to shift blame to booking.com's payment processing system.
I contacted booking.com who indicated they could not understand why the hotel could not refund the difference because payments are not handled by them so reception was either lying, couldn't be bothered or needs training.
We moved to the Rutherford Hotel where we were allocated the top floor, corner room with a 270 degree view over Tasman Bay for half the price of the Tides.
The room was advertised with a balcony however there was no balcony, only 2 plastic seats and a plastic table placed on the concrete path used by guests to access the pool and car park (see pics). The hotel continues to insist that all rooms have a balcony.
There were other rooms available looking out over the river for $335 a night however reception would not refund the difference seeming to shift blame to booking.com's payment processing system.
I contacted booking.com who indicated they could not understand why the hotel could not refund the difference because payments are not handled by them so reception was either lying, couldn't be bothered or needs training.
We moved to the Rutherford Hotel where we were allocated the top floor, corner room with a 270 degree view over Tasman Bay for half the price of the Tides.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Do not bother approaching reception for any help. Once you have paid you are on your own.
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.
We have to stay over in Nelson as A couple several times a year. So we like to try different places. This was our first stay in the Trailways hotel. We had been to the restaurant before on a number of occasions and have always been really happy.
The room was a Riverview room but to be honest the view was obstructed by a couple of trees. As it was too cold to sit out this didn’t matter. We were on the Shady side of the Hotel, so the room during our stay didn’t get any natural sunlight. However, the heat pump system worked extremely well and the room was lovely and cosy. The bathroom also had heating.
The bed was huge and very comfortable, the mattress medium firm. The TV was huge and wall mounted facing the bed. The small fridge was big enough to store our salads.
All the complimentary items such as bathroom products, teas and coffees with good quality and there was a plunger for the coffee.
All in all of the hotel was very good value for money, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful and actually went the extra mile to help me due to my disability. The restaurant food was delicious.
The room was a Riverview room but to be honest the view was obstructed by a couple of trees. As it was too cold to sit out this didn’t matter. We were on the Shady side of the Hotel, so the room during our stay didn’t get any natural sunlight. However, the heat pump system worked extremely well and the room was lovely and cosy. The bathroom also had heating.
The bed was huge and very comfortable, the mattress medium firm. The TV was huge and wall mounted facing the bed. The small fridge was big enough to store our salads.
All the complimentary items such as bathroom products, teas and coffees with good quality and there was a plunger for the coffee.
All in all of the hotel was very good value for money, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful and actually went the extra mile to help me due to my disability. The restaurant food was delicious.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip 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.
Response from Toby Munro, Revenue Management at Tides Hotel
Responded Jun 8, 2021
Hello babsiborchers, Thank you for taking the time to share your review with us about your most recent stay at Trailways Hotel Nelson. We are very pleased you enjoyed your stay and we will be passing your comments onto our team and management. Kind regards
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trailways is the perfect hotel for a mid budget getaway. From the moment we arrived the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff was evident. Thank you Robyn in reception who took such an interest in our daily exploration of the Nelson area.
Even though we had a rental car, it was great to be able to walk just across the bridge to the CBD to experience the vibe of the vintage area, the impressive Cathedral, numerous cafes, restaurants, a cinema and shops and the not to be missed Nelson market on a Saturday morning. A Countdown supermarket and a small superette were also within walking distance. A short car ride in the other direction took us to the Port of Nelson with its marina and restaurants and then onto Tahuanui Beach.
We could not fault the cleanliness and comfort of our room which included free Wifi and Sky TV. The walk in shower with rain head and wall jets was really welcome after a full day exploring. All the usual amenities were well stocked and we appreciated the hotels efforts to protect the environment. A very comfortable room with a touch of luxury in the bathroom.
Other facilities available included a beautifully maintained outside pool which was tepid and just warm enough for a swim on a sunny autumn day. This pool would be fantastic for use during a summer stay. A computer and a small library are also available for guests to use. Parking was not an issue and it was free.
An added bonus is the Tides restaurant and bar on site. The food is delicious and very well presented. Prices are comparable to other Nelson restaurants. It has a view to the river and is well patronised by locals who obviously enjoy the convivial atmosphere and excellent service.
We would definitely stay at Trailways again and next time, much longer!
Even though we had a rental car, it was great to be able to walk just across the bridge to the CBD to experience the vibe of the vintage area, the impressive Cathedral, numerous cafes, restaurants, a cinema and shops and the not to be missed Nelson market on a Saturday morning. A Countdown supermarket and a small superette were also within walking distance. A short car ride in the other direction took us to the Port of Nelson with its marina and restaurants and then onto Tahuanui Beach.
We could not fault the cleanliness and comfort of our room which included free Wifi and Sky TV. The walk in shower with rain head and wall jets was really welcome after a full day exploring. All the usual amenities were well stocked and we appreciated the hotels efforts to protect the environment. A very comfortable room with a touch of luxury in the bathroom.
Other facilities available included a beautifully maintained outside pool which was tepid and just warm enough for a swim on a sunny autumn day. This pool would be fantastic for use during a summer stay. A computer and a small library are also available for guests to use. Parking was not an issue and it was free.
An added bonus is the Tides restaurant and bar on site. The food is delicious and very well presented. Prices are comparable to other Nelson restaurants. It has a view to the river and is well patronised by locals who obviously enjoy the convivial atmosphere and excellent service.
We would definitely stay at Trailways again and next time, much longer!
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Upstairs rooms may be more private. River views would also be nice.
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.
Response from Toby Munro, Revenue Management at Tides Hotel
Responded Apr 23, 2022
Hi Helen816, Thank you for your kind words. We will be sure to pass this review on to our hardworking team. See you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Home away from home. Comfortable, friendly, reasonably priced. Our view room afforded us a wildlife view of the tidal river and the accompanying bird life. The patio offered a comfortable view of the river while waking to a hot cup of coffee.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2024Trip 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.
Response from Toby Munro, General Manager at Tides Hotel
Responded Oct 7, 2024
Hi Safari, Thank you for your 5/5 review, we are pleased you enjoyed your stay with us as well as the view from your room. We will pass your lovely feedback to our team. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next stay. Kind regards Blake
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Tides Hotel is in a great location very close to shops and cafes in the main part of Nelson.
Very friendly staff and a lovely restaurant with quite an extensive menu to choose from. The beds were complete bliss after four days away tramping. This is our second stay here and will certainly recommend The Tides hotel to anyone looking for comfortable accommodation
in a handy location to the centre of Nelson.
Very friendly staff and a lovely restaurant with quite an extensive menu to choose from. The beds were complete bliss after four days away tramping. This is our second stay here and will certainly recommend The Tides hotel to anyone looking for comfortable accommodation
in a handy location to the centre of Nelson.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2023Trip 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.
Response from Toby Munro, General Manager at Tides Hotel
Responded Dec 16, 2023
Hi Kjmackenzie Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed your stay with us and the handy location. We look forward to welcoming you back Kind regards Elesha
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mina_Von_Vixen asked a question Nov 2018
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom38 contributions28 helpful votesWhat’s the laundry service like here? How much is it?
Thanks 😊
Sorry, I didn't use it, so don't know.
"Do not bother approaching reception for any help. Once you have paid you are on your own."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$99 - $189 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Trailways Hotel Nelson
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandNelson-Tasman RegionNelson
NUMBER OF ROOMS
47
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 Tides Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Tides Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Queen's Gardens (0.3 miles), Nelson Saturday Market (0.3 miles), and Gravity Nelson (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Tides Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Tides Hotel?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, blackout curtains, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Tides Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Tides Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Tides Bar & Eatery, Deville, and Stefano's.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Tides Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Tides Hotel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.3 miles away from the center of Nelson.
Are any cleaning services offered at Tides Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Tides Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to Tides Hotel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao (0.4 miles).