---
title: "Castles Motel vs The Bug Backpackers: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick Castles Motel. It leads in 2 of 3 categories. Castles Motel or The Bug Backpackers in Nelson? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/castles-motel-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-13
---

# Castles Motel vs The Bug Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 1.7 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Motel · ★★★★ · Tāhunanui
## [Castles Motel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/castles-motel-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.2 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 6.8

- **Score by category:** 2 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1257621/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · ★★★ · Toi Toi
## [The Bug Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.2 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 2.7

- **Score by category:** 0 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2191987/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Castles Motel

It leads in 2 of 3 categories. 1.7 km apart.

### Choose Castles Motel if you want

-   to be closer to the beach
-   to walk to the sights
-   more restaurants on the doorstep

### Why is Castles Motel better than The Bug Backpackers?

1.  1.1 km closer to the beach (480 m vs 1.6 km) (−1.1 km)
2.  1.1 km closer to the city centre (−1.1 km)
3.  Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★) (+1★)
4.  10 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+10)
5.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 45 vs 15) (+30)
6.  Earlier check-in (14:00 vs 15:00) (−1h)

### Why is The Bug Backpackers better than Castles Motel?

1.  More guest reviews (188 vs 55), so the rating is more reliable (×3.4)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Castles Motel | The Bug Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Location | 6.8  (+4.1) | 2.7 |
| Beach access | 8.7  (+3.8) | 4.9 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.4  (+0.1) | 8.3 |
| Guest rating | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Number of reviews | 55 | 188  (+133) |
| Google rating | 3.9/5 | 4.0/5  (+0.1) |
| Google reviews | 69 | 212  (+143) |
| Rank in Nelson | top 86% | top 88% |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.8  (+4.1) | 2.7 |
| Distance to the centre | 640 m  (−1.1 km) | 1.7 km |
| To the beach | 480 m  (−1.1 km) | 1.6 km |
| To the airport | 2.5 km  (−1.5 km) | 4.0 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 12  (+10) | 2 |
| Sights within 1 km | 2  (+2) | 0 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★★★  (+1★) | ★★★ |
| Rooms | 11 | 14 |
| Floors | – | 1 |
| Listed amenities | 11 | 11 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00  (−1h) | 15:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | – |
| Breakfast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Room service | ✓ | – |
| Hot tub | ✓ | – |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Kitchen | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| In-room safe | – | ✓ |
| Blackout curtains | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | – |
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-castles-motel-nelson/)

## Location

1.7 km apart

## Castles Motel or The Bug Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, Castles Motel or The Bug Backpackers?

Castles Motel leads in 2 of 3 categories, including location, beach access.

### Which is cheaper, Castles Motel or The Bug Backpackers?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Castles Motel is closer: 640 m from the centre, against 1.7 km for The Bug Backpackers.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

Castles Motel is 480 m from the nearest beach; The Bug Backpackers is 1.6 km.

### How far apart are Castles Motel and The Bug Backpackers?

The two hotels are 1.7 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Castles Motel vs Tudor Lodge Motel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/castles-motel-nelson-vs-tudor-lodge-motel-nelson/)
-   [Castles Motel vs The Beachcomber Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/castles-motel-nelson-vs-the-beachcomber-hotel-nelson/)
-   [Castles Motel vs Aloha Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/aloha-lodge-nelson-vs-castles-motel-nelson/)
-   [Castles Motel vs Tuscany Gardens Motor Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/castles-motel-nelson-vs-tuscany-gardens-motor-lodge-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs The Hotel Nelson](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-the-hotel-nelson-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs Admirals Motor Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/admirals-motor-inn-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs Rutherford Hotel Nelson - A Heritage Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/rutherford-hotel-nelson-a-heritage-hotel-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/castles-motel-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/