---
title: "Paradiso Backpackers vs The Bug Backpackers: which hotel is better?"
description: "Paradiso Backpackers or The Bug Backpackers in Nelson? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/paradiso-backpackers-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-24
---

# Paradiso Backpackers vs The Bug Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 2.8 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · The Wood
## [Paradiso Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/paradiso-backpackers-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.8 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 3.5

- **Score by category:** 1 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1941240/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:** 2 of 3

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

The short answer

## Pick The Bug Backpackers

It leads in 2 of 3 categories. 2.8 km apart.

### Choose Paradiso Backpackers if you want

-   a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 30 / 14)

### Choose The Bug Backpackers if you want

-   to walk to the sights (1.7 km / 3.7 km)
-   a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 14 / 30)

### Why is Paradiso Backpackers better than The Bug Backpackers?

1.  Has a swimming pool
2.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 31 vs 15) (+16)
3.  3 more sights within 1 km (+3)
4.  Earlier check-in (14:00 vs 15:00) (−1h)

### Why is The Bug Backpackers better than Paradiso Backpackers?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.2 vs 7.8) (+0.4)
2.  2.0 km closer to the city centre (−2.0 km)
3.  More guest reviews (188 vs 35), so the rating is more reliable (×5.4)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Paradiso Backpackers | The Bug Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 7.8 | 8.2  (+0.4) |
| Location | 3.5  (+0.8) | 2.7 |
| Facilities | – | 3.3 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 0.0 |
| Beach access | 0.6 | 4.9  (+4.3) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Guest rating | 7.8 | 8.2  (+0.4) |
| Number of reviews | 35 | 188  (+153) |
| Google rating | – | 4.0/5 |
| Google reviews | – | 212 |
| Rank in Nelson | bottom 8% | bottom 13%  (+5%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 3.5  (+0.8) | 2.7 |
| Distance to the centre | 3.7 km | 1.7 km  (−2.0 km) |
| To the beach | 2.8 km | 1.6 km  (−1.2 km) |
| To the airport | 6.6 km | 4.0 km  (−2.6 km) |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 3 | 2 |
| To the nearest food shop | 710 m  (−570 m) | 1.3 km |
| Shops within 500 m | 0 | 1 |
| Sights within 1 km | 3  (+3) | 0 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 30 | 14 |
| Floors | – | 1 |
| Listed amenities | 10 | 12  (+2) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00  (−1h) | 15:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bar | ✓ | – |
| Swimming pool | ✓ | – |
| Sauna | ✓ | – |
| Wheelchair accessible | ✓ | – |
| In-room safe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | – | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | – | ✓ |
| Kitchen | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Beach holidays | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |

## Live prices around both hotels

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

[The Bug Backpackers prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-bug-backpackers-nelson/prices/)

## Location

2.8 km apart

Paradiso Backpackers: city centre: 3.7 km, Nelson Airport (NSN): 6.6 km, beach: 2.8 km, 3 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km.

The Bug Backpackers: city centre: 1.7 km, Nelson Airport (NSN): 4.0 km, beach: 1.6 km, 2 places to eat within 500 m.

## Weather in Nelson

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

## Paradiso Backpackers or The Bug Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, Paradiso Backpackers or The Bug Backpackers?

The Bug Backpackers leads in 2 of 3 categories, including guest rating, beach access. Paradiso Backpackers is stronger in location.

### Which is cheaper, Paradiso Backpackers 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?

The Bug Backpackers is closer: 1.7 km from the centre, against 3.7 km for Paradiso Backpackers.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

The Bug Backpackers is 1.6 km from the nearest beach; Paradiso Backpackers is 2.8 km.

### How far apart are Paradiso Backpackers and The Bug Backpackers?

The two hotels are 2.8 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Paradiso Backpackers vs Tasman Bay Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/paradiso-backpackers-nelson-vs-tasman-bay-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [Paradiso Backpackers vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/paradiso-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-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/paradiso-backpackers-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/