2 Star Hotel

The Bug Backpackers

226 Vanguard Street, Nelson, New Zealand View Map

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The Bug Backpackers photo 2
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The Bug Backpackers

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About

Offering private and dormitory rooms with free unlimited WiFi, The Bug Backpackers is just 15 minutes’ walk from local shops and restaurants. Guests can enjoy cooking their meals in the kitchen and eat in the dining area during the cold months and on the deck or in the garden during the warmer months. Bike rental services are available at the property. The Bug is ideally located for visits to the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park and the region's wineries and beaches. The tour desk can assist with activity information and reservations. There are 2 fully equipped communal kitchens for guests to prepare simple meals. Laundry services, a garden with hammocks and a BBQ are also available. Guests can relax and read a book in the hammocks, play one of the many board games available or enjoy a game of pétanque or darts. Some rooms offer a private bathroom, others have access to shared bathroom facilities. Shower towels are available for hire. The Bug Backpackers Nelson is a small hostel with a family atmosphere where it is easy to meet other independent travelers.

321 Reviews

7.2Good
Cleanliness
8.1
Staff
8.5
Location
7.7

What Guests Say

  • “The room was very clean and tidy. And having a fan in the room was a blessing as it was a very warm day. The shower and toilet were…”
  • “Great atmosphere, friendly staff, well appointed amenities & great local knowledge & close to lots of facilities.”
Show 50 Verified Reviews

Top Amenities

  • Free Internet Access
  • Free Parking
  • Kitchen/Kitchenette
  • Non-Smoking Rooms
Show All Amenities

Room Options

Our Best Price. GUARANTEED.

Exclusively for Priceline members Details

Family Room with Bunk Bed1/4

Family Room with Bunk Bed

1 Single, 1 Queen, 2 Bunk

  • Desk
  • Internet access
  • Kitchen
  • Nonsmoking
Double shared bathroom1/4

Double shared bathroom

130 sqft • 1 Queen

  • Baby Cot
  • Balcony
  • Bath or Shower
  • Blackout curtains
Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room1/3

Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room

216 sqft • 1 Bunk

  • Accessible bath/shower
  • Bath or Shower
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Closet
Private Queen Room with Private Bathroom1/2

Private Queen Room with Private Bathroom

173 sqft • 1 Queen

  • Additional bathroom
  • Additional toilet
  • Bath or Shower
  • Blackout curtains
Family Room with Shared Bathroom1/3

Family Room with Shared Bathroom

1 Double, 1 Bunk

  • Bath or Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shared bathroom
  • Toilet
8-Bed Dormitory1/3

8-Bed Dormitory

216 sqft • 1 Bunk

  • Blackout curtains
  • Exterior corridor
  • Garden view
  • Ground floor available

Room Details and Photos

Room Amenities

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    What Guests Loved

    7.2
    Good

    Based on 321 reviews

    Location

    7.7

    Cleanliness

    8.1

    Staff

    8.5

    Overall Quality

    7.2

    Pros +

    • Lovely housekeeping
    • The room was very clean and tidy. And having a fan in the room was a blessing as it was a very warm day. The shower and toilet were pretty good for shared bathroom facilities.
    • Great atmosphere, friendly staff, well appointed amenities & great local knowledge & close to lots of facilities.

    Cons -

    • The rooms seemed to be hotter than outside, but the fan was good.
    • There was nothing.
    • There was a strange vibe, not so much a backpackers more long term accommodation?
    Business Traveler (14)Solo Traveler (133)Traveling as Couple (67)Family with Young Children (37)Family with Teens (2)Senior Traveler (6)Group Traveler (52)Total (535)
    8Verified Hotel GuestPosted on: 1-18-2024

    Lovely housekeeping

    9JunePosted on: 2-18-2026

    The room was very clean and tidy. And having a fan in the room was a blessing as it was a very warm day. The shower and toilet were pretty good for shared bathroom facilities.

    The rooms seemed to be hotter than outside, but the fan was good.

    10MillsPosted on: 2-4-2026

    Great atmosphere, friendly staff, well appointed amenities & great local knowledge & close to lots of facilities.

    There was nothing.

    6SarahPosted on: 1-24-2026

    The theme. Our room was nice, comfortable and clean.

    There was a strange vibe, not so much a backpackers more long term accommodation?

    5RonPosted on: 1-24-2026

    Well it was a backpackers and it was fine. Laundry was a bonus. Had space in fridge and freezer.

    Car parking was pretty tight but when we didn't have a park there was plenty of parking on the road. Kitchen was alright but busy at times.

    7TapuvaePosted on: 1-22-2026

    The location was great, staff lovely, clean enough.

    The room we stayed in was incredibly hot and stuffy even when not hot outside. The two toilets were often taken up for long periods of time, my child resorted to using a bush. The shared kitchen was taken over by other guests the whole time, including all their gear everywhere even hanging over the shower. Other guests ate our food leaving upset children.

    8DavePosted on: 1-20-2026

    Good private double with ensuite shower. Quiet area of hostel. Off road parking available. Late check in with on site staff

    10JillianPosted on: 1-14-2026

    The great outdoor seating area, clean kitchen, and comfy bed!! I also had a cute green couch in my room which was very homey and comfy.

    10HungPosted on: 1-12-2026

    well equiped room, clean toilet, comfortable bed, good ventilation, good parking availability, friendly staff.

    7DorisPosted on: 1-12-2026

    We stayed in a very OLD villa but surprisingly there is no OLD odour smell, toilets are very clean no urinate smell.The beds were surprisingly comfy. It's very hot on our stay, a FAN is a bonus to us.

    Really bad WIFI, a one signal or even a ! The doors' knobs need fix.

    8MorganPosted on: 1-11-2026

    Comfortable bed, great shower, very good value for money

    Can't think of anything

    8SallyPosted on: 1-2-2026

    Everything was clean and the bed was comfortable . The shower was nice. Everything in the room was clean and fresh. The fan was the top tier because during the time that we checked in it was really hot so that was a bonus.

    Maybe change a check in time around 12 or 2?

    8SaraPosted on: 12-27-2025

    Staff were friendly. Our room was ensuite. It was clean.

    5CyndyPosted on: 12-12-2025

    Facilities were good

    Noise! Music going all hours and not from other guests either. I had asked about the noise, it stopped for a few days then carried on, it was the manager not guests the music and loud talking etc were coming from, didn't make for a pleasant stay

    3SearlePosted on: 9-28-2025

    The only things i liked was my private room and that our ties and towel were bought back for us all dry and folded.

    Kitchen was smelly and needs a huge clean as does the bathroom in the private rooms building. Guests left their things all over the place. Wifi dropped in and out. The whole place needs a huge clean and reno. You really get what you pay for.

    10NgawikiPosted on: 7-17-2025

    The rooms are decent sized and the bed was 1 of the comfiest I've ever slept in. Its great! Shared bathroom with 2 other rooms but all good. 2 toilets aswell. Very handy

    3AlishaPosted on: 7-7-2025

    Very cheap for a private room & off site parking

    Weird vibe. Lots of permanent guests, one of whom yelled about other people doing/not doing dishes the whole time we were trying to cook dinner. Super uncomfortable, unnecessarily aggressive and all round tainted the experience. People also smoked directly outside our window all night long meaning we couldn't open it.

    10RobinsonPosted on: 6-2-2025

    Cozy and friendly atmosphere that felt more like a home than a backpackers. Lovely back garden with access to grill.

    The kitchen was a but small. If all the rooms were occupied, I think the kitchen would have been crowded.

    5BobbyPosted on: 4-23-2025

    Good location. Parking was available. Heating in the room was okay.

    Not impressed by the bathroom and toilet facilities. The sheets on the bed were not fresh, and had damp smell. Not quite suitable for family.

    8FrancescaPosted on: 4-16-2025

    The place is quiet, comfy and clean, many useful amenities in the kitchen, nice outdoor area and communal space. Room was clean and cosy.

    Amenities & Policies

    Amenities

    Food & Drinks

    • Kitchen/Kitchenette
    • Shared kitchen

    Media & Technology

    • Free Internet Access

    Transportation

    • Free Parking

    Health & Safety

    • Health Services
    • Daily disinfection

    General

    • No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

    Guest policies

    Check-inAfter 4:00 PM
    Check-outBefore 10:00 AM
    InternetFree Wi-Fi is available.
    ParkingFree parking is available.
    Children & Extra BedsChildren of all ages are welcome. Children of age 3 to 12 can stay with extra bed, subject to additional charges. Children of age 0 to 2 stay free with cot.
    PetsPets are not allowed.
    Room RatesAll rates displayed are for two guests unless otherwise noted.

    Important info

    Please note that there is a 3% charge when you pay with a credit card.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation. Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

    Location

    The Bug Backpackers

    226 Vanguard Street, Nelson

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