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The Hotel Nelson vs The Bug Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 840 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hotel★★★★Nelson South

The Hotel Nelson

Guest rating
8.8 Excellent
Location score
3.0
Score by category
1 of 3
Check rates

Hostel★★★Toi Toi

The Bug Backpackers

Guest rating
8.2 Very good
Location score
2.7
Score by category
1 of 3
Check rates

The short answer

Too close to call

Each hotel leads in 1 categories. Your priorities decide. 840 m apart.

Choose The Hotel Nelson if you want

  • the more consistently praised stay
  • a big hotel with more facilities

Choose The Bug Backpackers if you want

  • to walk to the sights
  • a smaller, quieter hotel

Why is The Hotel Nelson better than The Bug Backpackers?

  1. 1Higher guest rating (8.8 vs 8.2)+0.6
  2. 2Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★)+1★
  3. 3More guest reviews (540 vs 188), so the rating is more reliable×2.9
  4. 4A larger hotel with more facilities (76 vs 14 rooms)×5.4

Why is The Bug Backpackers better than The Hotel Nelson?

  1. 1510 m closer to the beach (1.6 km vs 2.1 km)−510 m
  2. 2610 m closer to the city centre−610 m
  3. 3A smaller, more intimate hotel (14 vs 76 rooms)−62

All compared facts

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

The Hotel NelsonThe Bug Backpackers
Score by category
Guest rating 8.8 +0.6 8.2
Location 3.0 2.7
Beach access 3.2 4.9 +1.7
Ratings & reviews
StayVersus score 8.8 +0.5 8.3
Guest rating 8.8 +0.6 8.2
Number of reviews 540 +352 188
Google rating – 4.0/5
Google reviews – 212
Rank in Nelson top 50% +38% top 88%
Location
Location score 3.0 +0.3 2.7
Distance to the centre 2.3 km 1.7 km −610 m
To the beach 2.1 km 1.6 km −510 m
To the airport 4.8 km 4.0 km
Restaurants within 500 m 2 2
Sights within 1 km 1 0
Rooms & building
Star rating ★★★★ +1★ ★★★
Rooms 76 14
Floors 2 1
Newest building or renovation 2009 –
Listed amenities 6 11 +5
Policies
Check-in from – 15:00
Check-out until – 10:00
Amenities
Shuttle ✓ –
Breakfast ✓ ✓
Terrace ✓ ✓
Air conditioning ✓ ✓
Balcony ✓ ✓
Coffee or tea maker ✓ –
Free Wi-Fi – ✓
Free parking – ✓
Kitchen – ✓
In-room safe – ✓
Blackout curtains – ✓
Which hotel suits you
Families with children ✓ ✓
Couples ✓ ✓
Beach holidays – ✓
Sightseeing on foot ✓ ✓
Business trips – ✓
Spa & relaxation ✓ ✓

Swap sides

Price for your dates

The Hotel Nelson

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    The Bug Backpackers

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      840 m apart

      OpenStreetMap

      The Hotel Nelson or The Bug Backpackers: common questions

      Which is better, The Hotel Nelson or The Bug Backpackers?

      They are evenly matched. The Hotel Nelson is stronger in guest rating; The Bug Backpackers is stronger in beach access.

      Which is cheaper, The Hotel Nelson 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 2.3 km for The Hotel Nelson.

      Which hotel is closer to the beach?

      The Bug Backpackers is 1.6 km from the nearest beach; The Hotel Nelson is 2.1 km.

      How far apart are The Hotel Nelson and The Bug Backpackers?

      The two hotels are 840 m apart in a straight line.

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      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