Shortbread Cottage

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful, clean, quiet, and yummy shortbread.

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.

Great place if you want a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed with clean facilities. No loud partiers allowed!

The owners allow a small chosen few backpackers to sleep in their house, in proper comfy beds and they feed you on endless shortbread.