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  5. Reviews of The Bug Backpackers

Reviews of The Bug Backpackers

226 Vanguard Street, 7010 Nelson, New Zealand

#40 of 44 hotels in Nelson

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 351 hostel reviews

7.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.0

  • Comfort

    7.7

  • Location

    7.6

  • Facilities

    7.7

  • Staff

    8.4

  • Value for money

    8.1

  • Free Wifi

    9.6

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2025

    8.0
    Really cheap and nice place for visiting Nelson
    • Business trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Really quiet area

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 30, 2025

    7.0
    Good option for one night in Nelson
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The place was clean and quiet and we think it’s all good for one night. We had a good night sleep and a friendly chat with the residents.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 23, 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Family Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Very clean and tidy, residents friendly and talkative. probably needed more bathrooms and toilets but otherwise a very comfortable place to stay

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 6, 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant and affordable.
    • Business trip
    • Group
    • Queen Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very noisy.

    Affordable and clean.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: February 22, 2025

    8.0
    Great location and very comfortable 👌
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Lovely welcome. Very homely feel and spacious garden. Bed & pillows were amazing 👏

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 19, 2025

    8.0
    V good value and would stay again
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Some long term guests rather sullen - not owners fault tho!

    Easygoing atmosphere

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 19, 2025

    7.0
    Comfortable 2 night stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There was a few stains on one of the pillowcases, there was evidence of mould and paint peeling on the bathroom ceilings so this could do with getting cleaned and repainted. There was also no code or anything on the door so anyone could just walk in. It didn’t feel secure at all.

    The beds were comfortable and the bathrooms toilets/sinks/showers were really clean. The kitchen seemed alright as well although we didn’t use it. Was a short walk to the shops also.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 11, 2025

    8.0
    Great value accomodation
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Amazing value accomodation. The staff keep it really clean and the rooms are very comfortable.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: February 8, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The bed was so comfy, lovely people and other guests were really friendly

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: January 31, 2025

    7.0
    Wonderful stay and manager is lovely
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing at all.

    Super friendly manager and comfy room for 2.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 29, 2025

    8.0
    Enjoyed our stay but glad it was only 1 night.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Busy, noisy (other guests), hot

    Great location, great value

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 21, 2025

    8.0
    Affordable stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Clean, quiet, outdoor chilling place at backyard. High speed stable nternet.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 6, 2025

    7.0
    Worth it
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Staff were nice and accomodating

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 6, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The bed not good

    Clean

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: December 30, 2024

    7.0
    Very pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Distance from town as walking with rucksack in heat

    Garden was very pleasant Reception was very helpful Breakfast on Sunday very kind And s proper bed

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 26, 2024

    8.0
    Good hostel, but be careful with guests...
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Little far from center of Nelson, one neighbor in the hostel who was very very noisy, shouting and singing the whole night! I think that he also drank a lot, because he smelled alcohol and I sincerely did not want to cross him at the entrance. Exception this guest, the hostel is very nice.

    Very nice personnel, xmas lunch proposed 😋 and it was really good. Nice hostel toi stay, with a nice garden.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 14, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Maybe young single female should not stay there but it depends on your life experience. Get a single room.

    The place was very clean, tidy, well organised. My room was spacious and comfortable. The manager Trina was friendly and helpful. When I asked her for a fan so I could close the window, she found one for me. My food didn't go missing. I slept well there.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 5, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    My sister had labeled food in fridge and it still got stolen so wouldn't recommend using their kitchen

    The location. Price. Staff were great.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: November 18, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Cigarettes and Alcohol smell outside our room. It is not recommended for families that have children.

    The staff is friendly.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 4, 2024

    8.0
    Nice place and staff are wonderful.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Only thing bad I could say is the toilet door squeaked and in the middle of the night it seemed loud as you are trying to be quite and not wake people. I would definitely stay here again as it was value for money.

    Loved Fran (Francis) she was so welcoming and helpful when we arrived here at Bug Backpackers and made our stay very enjoyable. We had a room with a queen bed, and it was so comfortable. The room was nice and big with a lounge chair in it. We had a shared bathroom, and it was very clean. The kitchen and lounge area were great, clean and tidy.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 3, 2024

    7.0
    Ok for the price, not many backpackers
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Mostly long term male residents, I did not see one other backpacker when we were there. Not a great vibe to the place. I was with my partner but I personally would not have felt safe as a solo female traveller. There was a guy who seemed to live and sleep on the sofa of the main lounge too.

    The manager was very friendly when we arrived. Very comfy and clean room, slept well. Clean kitchen too. Location good but we used it as a base for Abel Tasman so didn’t see much of Nelson.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: September 26, 2024

    6.0
    Nice place but strange atmosphere.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Weird atmosphere. Describes itself as backpackers but was anything but. Everyone else appeared to be long term local residents which created a halfway house kind of vibe.

    Private room was really nice - very clean & comfortable plus kitchen was well equipped. Location was good and plenty of parking.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: August 25, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Some people was very dirty, which would give some bad reviews, while our stay spent very well. Thank you Frances and all the team for your kindness Xoxo from French girls 😃

    The staff was great, kind, funny, attentive

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: July 18, 2024

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    As others have stated it was a bit weird having so many long term tenants, and wasn’t too happy about being harassed by someone not staying at the property within 5 minutes of arriving but otherwise the property way great and everyone else was really friendly and lovely.

    Was a very nice facility, clean and tidy and well equipped. Room was comfortable and warm!

    Stayed in July 2024

Showing 1 - 25

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