---
title: "Nikau Apartments vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers: which hotel is better?"
description: "Nikau Apartments or YHA Nelson - Backpackers in Nelson? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/nikau-apartments-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-06
---

# Nikau Apartments vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 740 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Apartment · Nelson
## [Nikau Apartments](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/nikau-apartments-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.5 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 5.0

- **Score by category:** 0 of 5

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1898737/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:** 4 of 5

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

The short answer

## Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers

It leads in 4 of 5 categories. 740 m apart.

### Choose YHA Nelson - Backpackers if you want

-   to walk to the sights (2.6 km / 3.2 km)
-   more restaurants on the doorstep (103 / 51)

### Why is Nikau Apartments better than YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

No clear advantages in our data.

### Why is YHA Nelson - Backpackers better than Nikau Apartments?

1.  More guest reviews (161 vs 39), so the rating is more reliable (×4.1)
2.  52 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+52)
3.  6 more listed amenities (18 vs 12) (+6)
4.  Has an on-site restaurant

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Nikau Apartments | YHA Nelson - Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 8.5 | 8.6 |
| Location | 5.0 | 5.4  (+0.4) |
| Facilities | 3.3 | 5.8  (+2.5) |
| Spa & wellness | 0.0 | 1.5  (+1.5) |
| Beach access | 1.3 | 3.8  (+2.5) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.6 | 8.6 |
| Guest rating | 8.5 | 8.6  (+0.1) |
| Number of reviews | 39 | 161  (+122) |
| Google rating | 3.8/5 | 3.9/5  (+0.1) |
| Google reviews | 112 | 322  (+210) |
| Rank in Nelson | bottom 21% | bottom 27%  (+6%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 5.0 | 5.4  (+0.4) |
| Distance to Nelson centre | 490 m | 270 m  (−220 m) |
| To the beach | 2.6 km | 1.9 km  (−720 m) |
| To the airport | 5.9 km | 5.4 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 51 | 103  (+52) |
| To the nearest food shop | 370 m | 80 m  (−290 m) |
| Shops within 500 m | 6 | 14  (+8) |
| Sights within 1 km | 3 | 2 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 42 | 26 |
| Floors | – | 2 |
| Listed amenities | 12 | 18  (+6) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shuttle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Car hire | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Room service | ✓ | – |
| Coffee or tea maker | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Restaurant | – | ✓ |
| Sauna | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | – | ✓ |
| LGBTQ+ friendly | – | ✓ |
| Kitchen | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | – | ✓ |

## Live prices around both hotels

Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.

## Location

740 m apart

Nikau Apartments: city centre: 3.2 km, Nelson Airport (NSN): 5.9 km, beach: 2.6 km, 51 places to eat within 500 m, 3 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)

## Nikau Apartments or YHA Nelson - Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, Nikau Apartments or YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers leads in 4 of 5 categories, including location, facilities, spa & wellness.

### Which is cheaper, Nikau Apartments 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 490 m for Nikau Apartments.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers is 1.9 km from the nearest beach; Nikau Apartments is 2.6 km.

### How far apart are Nikau Apartments and YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

The two hotels are 740 m apart in a straight line.

## 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/nikau-apartments-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/