The Prince Albert Backpackers & Bar
by the TopOfHotel team
The Prince Albert is the most atmospheric backpackers in Nelson — an 1888 building, an English pub and free breakfast, scoring 8.6/10.
The Prince Albert is the most atmospheric backpackers in Nelson — an 1888 building, an English pub and free breakfast, scoring 8.6/10.
In-Depth Review
The Prince Albert Backpackers & Bar is the most atmospheric backpackers in Nelson — set inside an 1888 heritage building that has kept its original architecture beautifully intact. The ground floor is an English-style pub that locals drink in too, and with a 8.6/10 review score this is the best hostel in Nelson for anyone who wants a social base.
Rooms and decor
Dorms come in 4- and 6-bed layouts, with doubles and singles for anyone who wants more privacy. The standout detail is that every room has its own ensuite bathroom — genuinely unusual for a backpackers. Guests praise the cleanliness and the comfortable beds. The one thing to watch is that rooms close to the bar can pick up noise on weekend nights.
Food and amenities
The downstairs English pub is open every day, pouring local and international beer alongside good food, and the cafe opens Monday to Friday in the mornings. Free breakfast is included in the nightly rate, and plenty of guests call it the detail that made them book here in the first place.
Location and getting there
You are right in the city centre, about a 5-minute walk from Cathedral Steps, with the local restaurants and bars of Hardy Street within walking distance. Reviewers sum up the location simply: you can get everywhere on foot and never need a car.
Things to know before booking
This is a backpackers, not a hotel, so expect dorm-style 4- and 6-bed rooms unless you grab one of the few doubles or singles. The pub downstairs gets loud on weekend nights, so it is not the spot for early sleepers, and some rooms also catch noise from the street or the bar. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room well away from the bar when you book.
Our take
The Prince Albert is the pick for sociable backpackers who want a warm pub atmosphere, an easy way to meet other travellers and a cheap, central base. If you like a heritage feel and a good bar on the doorstep, this is the best choice in town.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- An 8.6/10 review score, the highest of any hostel we cover in Nelson, with guests singling out the cleanliness and comfortable beds.
- An English-style pub and a cafe on the ground floor mean you do not have to head out in the evening — the bar pours local and international beer alongside good food.
- Every room has its own ensuite bathroom, which is unusual for a backpackers and a lot more convenient than sharing.
- Free breakfast is included every day, and several guests call it the deciding factor in choosing the place.
- The 1888 heritage building keeps its original architecture and gives the hostel a charming, one-of-a-kind feel.
- The pub on the ground floor gets noisy on weekend nights, so it is not the place for early sleepers.
- Some rooms pick up noise from the street or from the bar below, so the room you draw matters.
- It is a backpackers, not a hotel — expect dorm-style 4- and 6-bed rooms rather than private comfort unless you book one of the few doubles or singles.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Nelson
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Insider Tips
- If you want quiet, ask for a room away from the downstairs bar — the ones nearest it are the loudest on weekend nights.
- Free breakfast is included every day, so build it into your morning before walking the 5 minutes to Cathedral Steps.
- The pub draws locals as well as guests, so stay in for a drink the first evening if you want an easy way to meet other travellers.