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Shortbread Cottage

Nelson

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Address
33 Trafalgar Street, Nelson South Island, New Zealand   Map
Price
$57 for double room or $52 with BBH cards, $25 for a dorm or $22 with BBH cards
Location/Contact
Details
Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed above).
Description

Features

  • Kitchen


Ratings & Comments

4.8 Average from 13 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Richard Johnson, British
October 2008
5 Excellent small home
We had a fantastic stay here. Jimmy (new owner) really makes sure he is around to look after the hostel and you. Free shortbread every day, free internet, free massive TV. TV doesnt get used much as people are fairly sociable here. For a small, friendly hostel extremely close to the centre of Nelson it doesn't get much better than this. Very reasonably priced.
Comment by Robbie, British
August 2007
5 Excellent
i originally stayed here in 2000 and it left a lasting memory on me! as soon as i planned my trip back to New Zealand this was the first place i thought of and decided to do a web search to see if it was still going, and was so happy to see it at the top of my search still getting excellent reviews. and I cannot wait to stay here again, I just hope there will be room when i arrive in November.
Comment by Laura and Lee, UK
June 2007
5 Brilliant!
This hostel is really great. It's small, so it's nice and quiet and you get a good night sleep. It's friendly and the free shortbread is really sweet. Plus there are TVs in the double rooms. The managers Kev and Emily are really friendly and they'll help you out with anything you need. One of the best in New Zealand definitely.
Comment by Anonymous
February 2006
4 Atmosphere was great- relaxed and friendly. Note: they only take cash! We were caught off guard but they were understanding as we dashed for the ATM.
Comment by Adam
February 2006
5 In my six months travelling this was definitely the best place I stayed. The owners were really friendly and the shortbread was fantastic! Most importantly though the atmosphere of the place was just wonderful, lovely fire and cosy living room, really made you feel at home :-) Will definitely come back next time I am in New Zealand.
Comment by Zahra and Paul
September 2005
5 Comfortable and quiet. It feels like home but better. I stayed a week and just stayed next to the fire watching chick flicks. I would visit New Zealand again just to stay here. I liked it so much I would buy it, if only. Thanks and best wishes to Hillary.
Comment by Meg
June 2005
5 This was an awesome hostel. It feels like home and was shared with only a few backpackers. It was a nice change and just a great place to relax and enjoy your stay. The shortbread was a nice treat at the end of the day. I would recommend staying here for anyone who needs a break from the larger hostels and wants to stay at a nice, small, homey place.
Comment by James, England
April 2005
5 This is the best hostel in New Zealand. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. There was yummy shortbread every evening. It was like a night at home in the middle of our trip!!! Fantastic.
Comment by nikki, United Kingdom
February 2005
5 What a beautiful and well cared for hostel! This is a wonderful coattage and it really makes you feel like you have come home. Shortbread Cottage is a 5 min walk from town, but you would pass i, if you were coming in on the main road into Nelson. There are the most stunning lillies outside the hostel and the whole hostel is surrounded by a wooden fence. There is a no shoes policy in the hostel, to help keep the wooden floors from scratches and marks. The kitche and dinning room are what you are first greeted with and even though they are small, it does not seem to be a problem for guests. The lounge is cosy, with a fire and there are puzzles and comment book to keep you occupied. There is a tv but due to the nature of the hostel, guests spent time talking and laughing and forgetting to turn it on. The whole place is decorated with vibrant colours and the art work is worth looking at. The doubles have tvs in them and are bright, spacious and clean. The dorm rooms even have nice touches such as hot water bottels in the winter. Now at about 5pm every night, the shortbread jar comes out, and guests are welcome to help themselves to as much or as little as they like......when it is melt in the mouth, it is hard not to have at least 2 pieces! All in all this hostel is a little gem in the hostel world of New Zealand, and well worth a visit, to finally feel after all the months of travelling that you are home.
Comment by Kristin
August 2004
5 Beautiful, clean, quiet, and yummy shortbread.
Comment by Heather
April 2004
5 Was very friendly, clean and 'homey'. Would be happy to stay again and would definitely recommend it to others - not nearly so anonymous as staying in big hostels! Many thanks to Maeve too.
Comment by Matt
March 2004
4 Great place if you want a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed with clean facilities. No loud partiers allowed!
Comment by Clare
October 2003
4 The owners allow a small chosen few backpackers to sleep in their house, in proper comfy beds and they feed you on endless shortbread.
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