In the heart of Pipitea, Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offers a vibrant retreat. Enjoy cooked-to-order breakfast, unwind with a drink at the bar or indulge in local flavors at the restaurant. With free in-room WiFi and helpful staff always ready to assist you.
Wellington Central Business District - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Lambton Quay - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Archives New Zealand - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Beehive - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Hnry Stadium - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
Getting around
Wellington (WLG-Wellington Intl.) - 19 min drive
Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ) - 42 min drive
Wellington Station - 1 min walk
Wellington Kaiwharawhara Station - 6 min drive
Wellington Ngauranga Station - 6 min drive
Restaurants
Mojo Featherston - 2 min walk
McDonald's - 1 min walk
Sir Breadwins - 6 min walk
The Old Bailey - 5 min walk
Rydges Hotel - 3 min walk
About this property
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers puts you a short five-minute drive from Wellington Central Business District and Cuba Street Mall. You can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant or wind down at the end of the day with a drink from the bar/lounge. This Art Deco hostel is also a short five-minute drive from Interislander Ferry Terminal. Fellow travellers love the helpful staff and location.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
108 rooms
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
DONE
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
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Children
No cots (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No on-site parking
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
What to do
Beach nearby
Kayaking nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Facilities
ATM/banking
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Lockers available
Art Deco architecture
Accessibility
Lift
Lift door width (centimetres): 1000
Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Front entrance ramp
Well-lit path to entrance
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Deposit: NZD 20.00 per stay
Optional extras
Late checkout can be arranged for an extra charge of NZD 10 (subject to availability)
Policies
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher on-site.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club
Cashless transactions are available.
National rating
Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities and services.
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
Frequently asked questions
Does Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Sorry, there's no on-site parking at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of NZD 10 (subject to availability). Express check-out and contactless social distancing and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as kayaking.
Are there restaurants at or near Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant.
What's the area around Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers like?
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers is in Pipitea, a short 1-minute walk from Wellington Station and 2 minutes' walk from Wellington Central Business District. Travellers give top marks for the hostel's prime location.
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Reviews
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers Reviews
7.4
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
7.6
Cleanliness
8.2
Location
8.0
Staff & service
6.8
Property conditions & facilities
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Location
Train station
Bathroom
Lobby
Building
Value
Refrigerator
Restaurant
Reviews
Verified
8/10 Very good
1 March 2026
Excellent location, will stay again if in Wellington
Lisa
Lisa, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
7 February 2026
Great staff , great room
Sharmaine
Sharmaine, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
17 February 2026
Good basic place to stay. Handy to train and ferry terminals plus airport bus.
Jeff
Jeff, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
10 February 2026
Friendly and helpful staff; good common room/ lounge; other amenities suitable.
Harry
Harry, 4-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
3 February 2026
Clean room, friendly staff and kitchen and common area.
Neil
Neil, 8-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
9 March 2026
The staff was very accommodating and it suited us being close to railway station. Room was clean and confirtable
Karen
Karen, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
26 January 2026
I had a late check-in after coming in on the 1am ferry and the staff were so friendly and nice! would recommend 100%
Jessica
Jessica, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
1 November 2025
Staff are very friendly and area is good.
Sarai
Sarai, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
20 April 2026
Old but did the job for me. In the city, right opposite train station so pretty convenient if that’s where you want to be. Ensuite bathroom was clean enough. Sink is a bit tiny so awkward to fill jug up for hot drink but manageable enough. Was able to get a park outside on street which is free from 8pm to 8am the next day so that was good.
Tahari
Tahari, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
1 February 2026
The lady staff is really helpful and kind.
Kitchen is clean and tidy compared to the age of building.
Natkrita
Natkrita, 6-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
1 December 2025
Room was perfect, quiet, clean, simple. Great value for money. Will book again.
Jane
Jane, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
28 November 2025
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
Anthony, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
16 December 2025
Cleaners were friendly and helpful.
Rosemary
Rosemary, 4-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
26 September 2025
Convenient, central location.
Joe
Joe, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
26 September 2025
Close to all shopping needs
KAREN
KAREN, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
1 March 2026
Great location. Secure room. Room was clean even though some aspects dated - carpet buckled. Window in bathroom could not close - was tied in place with a shoelace. When a cold wind was blowing, the bathroom was very cold.
Elaine
Elaine, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
29 September 2025
Staff were lovely. Accommodation was average but i was solo travelling so for price i couldnt complain.
Michael
Michael, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
20 September 2025
I have stayed 3 times. I enjoyed the whole stay. Loved the views from recent stays. Look forward to staying again
Katina
Katina, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
7 October 2025
We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers. The place felt welcoming from the start. Solid facilities, and genuinely warm, attentive staff all contributed to a relaxed and pleasant experience.
Jamaica
Jamaica, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
3 November 2025
Very clean room. Nice to have tea-making facilities and microwave. Staff always wonderful here.
L M
L M, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
4 February 2026
This rating is based on the balance of price and amenities. The room and ensuite were clean, if a little tired. The WiFi was not 100% reliable. I appreciated the tea/coffee facilities in the room. I did not make use of the communal areas. Very conveniently located for the train station and Bluebridge Ferry to Picton.
CLAIRE
CLAIRE, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
5 November 2025
The room was clean and tidy.
Miriam
Miriam, 2-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
3 October 2025
A 2 star hotel so it's a bit old and tired, but has comfortable beds and hot showers.
Close to public transport, eateries and within walking distance of the CBD
Gordon
Gordon, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
21 March 2025
Very reasonable rates. Rooms were great and such an excellent location.