THE HOTEL NELSON, Nelson – A Smart Stay in the City
About the Hotel
Rooms & Amenities
The Hotel Nelson offers ground-floor units with king-size beds, tea and coffee facilities, microwaves, and external car park access. Some rooms include a kitchenette with a stovetop, refrigerator, and microwave. Select units feature a hot tub, spa bath, or a terrace. Air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and soundproof walls are standard. The studio rooms have en suite bathrooms with shower-over-bath setups.
Dining Options
The Nelson Hotel's bistro serves traditional pub favorites, including grass-fed steaks, burgers, and schnitzels, alongside French, Italian, and Asian-inspired dishes. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. The Saloon Bar offers cocktails and a relaxed setting for meals. Flames on 40 Restaurant & Bar serves modern New Zealand cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. The bottle shop stocks craft beers, wines, and spirits.
Leisure & Events
The hotel features a public bar with TAB facilities, pool tables, and live sports screenings. The rustic beer garden provides outdoor seating. The newly opened Level One function space hosts private dinners, corporate meetings, and events. Weekly specials include happy hours and chef's daily off-menu dishes. ANZAC Day celebrations, comedy nights, and golf tournaments are annual highlights.
Location & Transport
The Hotel Nelson is on the corner of Oxford and Nelson Streets, 10 km from central Nelson. Nearby landmarks include the Red Art Gallery & Cafe (1 km), Botanical Gardens (1.5 km), and Centre of New Zealand (2 km). The property offers free parking and is within walking distance of local shops and galleries.
Services & Staff
The hotel provides free Wi-Fi, event catering, and private dining for groups up to 16. Staff assist with bar service, bistro orders, and event coordination. Well-behaved dogs are allowed in the public bar until 9:30 PM. The bottle shop operates daily, and the bistro serves lunch and dinner with seasonal specials.
Choose the Room
Check Dates & Room Rates
Getting around
All Transportation Options at a Glance
Amenities
General
- No smoking on site
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Express check-in/ -out
- Concierge desk
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
- Coffee shop
- Smoke detectors
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Fire extinguishers
- Key access
Services
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Welcome drink
Dining
- In-room breakfast
- Restaurant
- Snack bar
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Picnic area/ Tables
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
Business
- Business centre
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Children
- Children's menu
- Children's pool
Spa & Leisure
- Seasonal outdoor pool
- Heated swimming pool
- Beach umbrellas
- Sun loungers
- BBQ facilities
- Shallow end
Room features
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Mini-bar
- Sitting area
- Patio
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Washing machine
- Free toiletries
Media
- AM/FM alarm clock
Location
Guest Ratings & Reviews
The hotel room was much bigger than expected, offering two double beds, although there was a lingering bad smell that the ineffective odor-absorbing machine couldn't mask. The location was convenient, near the town centre and beach, but noise from neighboring rooms could be heard clearly. The staff at Nelson Hotel went out of their way to assist and provide local knowledge, even though the restaurant had its shortcomings in service and food quality.
The hotel is exactly what we needed for a one-night stay. The room was light, clean, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. However, the location had some cleanliness issues with cigarette butts and the dining was a bit sparse upon arrival.
The hotel rooms we saw looked very clean and nicely presented, making us think we would have had a comfortable stay. The conference area was also highlighted as very clean and cozy. However, it seemed like the hotel was a bit far from where we wanted to be in the town.
The hotel offers spacious rooms with a big fridge, microwave, and a table, but the maintenance seems lacking. The service was professional and accommodating, though some instances of poor communication were noted. The location is convenient for exploring the town on foot, but extra charges for breakfast may apply. The dining experience was reasonable, with a few shortcomings in variety and service. Overall, a decent stay with room for improvement.
The hotel provided a spacious room with car parks on three sides of the apartment. While the space was ample for 2 adults and 2 teenagers, the adjoining room to other guests led to an embarrassing situation where I accidentally entered someone else's room. The service was accommodating and welcoming, and the location was great, close to town. However, some mishaps in the dining experience made breakfast a bit of a hassle. Overall, the hotel offers comfort and convenience at a reasonable price.