Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers — Hotel in North Island

Seeing all the negative reviews for this place saddens me. I was there last week.

It's a very old building, and you get what you pay for. It may be an old building, but still a very grand old building with a lot of character. I returned here last week, since I was last here 7 years ago, and I did see a few changes, both good and bad. The Wifi claims to only provide up to 1GB a day per 24 hours, I have tested this, and although it says it's 1GB, it actually is unlimited.

There used to be IT kiosks which have since been removed, but highly recommend for faster internet experience, for those with laptops, plugging your laptop into the Ethernet cables in the dining area, where the IT kiosks once stood.

The rooms, although old, are more than satisfactory, and the rooms are cleaned once per day, at no additional rate.

The first bad is that there is no longer Sky TV, or cable in the bedrooms, or in the common TV area. It is free to air only. which means one can't watch things like sport or movies.

The second bad is that the bar which used to be on the first floor near the lounge has been permanently closed since 2021, and this used to be such a nice area to go and chill. I remember sitting by the heater in the bar in cold mornings, and having a drink, and chatting with guests in the evenings. The cafe which used to serve breakfast which is near the TV room has also been permanently shuttered.

The third bad, is that there are no working toilets on the first floor, and access by lift is restricted to your own floor, so if one needs to the bathroom one either needs to take the lift to their own room floor, and use that lift, or take the stairs to the second floor, as the stars don't seem to have the same floor restriction that the lifts have.

The Duke of Wellington Gastropub which is in the Hotel Waterloo, but operates as a separate business, is extremely affordable, is unfortunately closed over weekends, so if one wants to get a drink, they need to walk at least 500 meters (if not more) to the nearest pub.

Despite the bads, this remains my favourite backpackers in Wellington. If you want affordable accommodation, in a place that's close to all amenities that Wellington has to offer, I highly...

I felt very unsafe here. I chose this hostel due to its proximity to the station and the price. I arrived at 12pm to drop my bags off and the receptionist let me check in early. I went into the room which is a mixed dorm and the whole room was a mess and there was not a bed ready. I wasn’t too bothered as I just wanted to drop my bags in the room and I’d be back later on. I let the receptionist know the bed wasn't ready and she didn’t react. ||Later on when I returned to the now clean room (mixed dorm) it was still just me. (Which is a win when I’ve been travelling and staying in hostels for the last 6 weeks). A member of staff came into the room and said “just checking something” and then immediately left the room without looking around or any further explanation. ||Another guest ended up checking in after and immediately they made me uncomfortable. This is not the hostels fault but it was 10pm and I thought I would just ask to move tomorrow. ||The next morning another member of staff just walked into the room and said “are you staying here”, I said yes and then she left. I was quite confused by this and at this point I felt like I just want to leave this place. I originally booked 3 nights. ||I went to check out and the member of staff on reception didn’t acknowledge me at all. I said I want to check out and they just gestured to the key box. I mentioned I’m checking out early and they didn’t say a word. I’m not going to raise my concerns and talk about why I’m leaving to someone who doesn’t even say hello or acknowledge my presence. ||If you’re a solo young backpacker,...

I have stayed at the Waterloo twice now..two nights Christmas 2020 and two nights Christmas 2021, this was to be close to son in town and to the ferry. Has been interesting reading the reviews, each time I stayed I had a single en suite room and was very impressed both times. There were little downsides but at such a great price it doesn't matter especially as the negatives were so minor. The room/s were spotlessly clean, shower a bit difficult to get in and out of but once in was perfect. Basin is good height, mirror is good and thankfully just a normal mirror rather than them thinking you want to see all of yourself all of the time. Top window could open with bit of encouragement. TV reception was excellent but only on what could be accessed.. no tv 1 and 2 or Prime, had it's own loop of 3 and 8 and a couple of others but reception was better than I have encountered in other places. Power point for turning on jug and microwave bit difficult to reach behind but once on it's ok. Biggest problem was the doorkey which was temperamental after many efforts on the 2nd night I gave up and got help from the staff member who was very good. He had assured he was on duty 24 hours which is good to know. I haven't had any trouble staying in the ensuite room, when I have come back at night there have been some men around the front door or in the foyer but I haven't encountered anything unpleasant. Staff have been good both years. For what I paid I believe I got more than my money would suggest and I...