---
title: "Century Park vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers. It leads in 3 of 6 categories. Century Park or YHA Nelson - Backpackers in Nelson? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/century-park-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

# Century Park vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 580 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Motel · ★★★★★ · Nelson
## [Century Park](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/century-park-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 9.1 ·  Excellent

- **Location score:** 4.7

- **Score by category:** 2 of 6

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1262178/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · Nelson
## [YHA Nelson - Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.6 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 5.4

- **Score by category:** 3 of 6

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2358962/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers

It leads in 3 of 6 categories. 580 m apart.

### Choose Century Park if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (9.1 / 8.6)
-   a spa and wellness
-   a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 14 / 26)

### Choose YHA Nelson - Backpackers if you want

-   more restaurants on the doorstep (103 / 30)
-   a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 26 / 14)

### Why is Century Park better than YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

1.  Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.6) (+0.5)
2.  Has a spa
3.  Has a gym

### Why is YHA Nelson - Backpackers better than Century Park?

1.  180 m closer to the beach (1.9 km vs 2.1 km) (−180 m)
2.  350 m closer to the area centre (−350 m)
3.  More guest reviews (161 vs 80), so the rating is more reliable (×2.0)
4.  73 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+73)
5.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 74 vs 57) (+17)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Century Park | YHA Nelson - Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 9.1  (+0.5) | 8.6 |
| Location | 4.7 | 5.4  (+0.7) |
| Facilities | 5.0 | 5.8  (+0.8) |
| Families | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Spa & wellness | 4.5  (+3.0) | 1.5 |
| Beach access | 3.1 | 3.8  (+0.7) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 9.0  (+0.4) | 8.6 |
| Guest rating | 9.1  (+0.5) | 8.6 |
| Number of reviews | 80 | 161  (+81) |
| Google rating | 4.8/5  (+0.9) | 3.9/5 |
| Google reviews | 242 | 322  (+80) |
| Rank in Nelson | top 12%  (+62%) | top 74% |
| Location |
| Location score | 4.7 | 5.4  (+0.7) |
| Distance to Nelson centre | 630 m | 270 m  (−350 m) |
| To the beach | 2.1 km | 1.9 km  (−180 m) |
| To the airport | 5.1 km | 5.4 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 30 | 103  (+73) |
| Sights within 1 km | 2 | 2 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★★★★ | – |
| Rooms | 14 | 26 |
| Floors | 2 | 2 |
| Newest building or renovation | 2016 | – |
| Listed amenities | 17 | 17 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| EV charging | ✓ | – |
| Car hire | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Breakfast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Restaurant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Room service | ✓ | – |
| Spa | ✓ | – |
| Gym | ✓ | – |
| Terrace | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – |
| Balcony | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shuttle | – | ✓ |
| Laundry | – | ✓ |
| Bar | – | ✓ |
| Sauna | – | ✓ |
| Kitchen | – | ✓ |
| Blackout curtains | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Beach holidays | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – |

## Location

580 m apart

Century Park: city centre: 2.5 km, Nelson Airport (NSN): 5.1 km, beach: 2.1 km, 30 places to eat within 500 m, 2 sights within 1 km.

YHA Nelson - Backpackers: city centre: 2.6 km, Nelson Airport (NSN): 5.4 km, beach: 1.9 km, 103 places to eat within 500 m, 2 sights within 1 km.

## Weather in Nelson

[Nelson weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/new-zealand/nelson-region/nelson/weather)

## Century Park or YHA Nelson - Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, Century Park or YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers leads in 3 of 6 categories, including location, facilities, beach access. Century Park is stronger in guest rating, spa & wellness.

### Which is cheaper, Century Park or YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

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

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers is closer: 270 m from the centre, against 630 m for Century Park.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers is 1.9 km from the nearest beach; Century Park is 2.1 km.

### How far apart are Century Park and YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

The two hotels are 580 m apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Century Park vs Palazzo Motor Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/century-park-nelson-vs-palazzo-motor-lodge-nelson/)
-   [Century Park vs Rutherford Hotel Nelson - A Heritage Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/century-park-nelson-vs-rutherford-hotel-nelson-a-heritage-hotel-nelson/)
-   [Century Park vs Admirals Motor Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/admirals-motor-inn-nelson-vs-century-park-nelson/)
-   [Century Park vs The Hotel Nelson](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/century-park-nelson-vs-the-hotel-nelson-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Tasman Bay Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/tasman-bay-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Paradiso Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/paradiso-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs The Bug 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/century-park-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-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/