The Hostelz.com Review
The Green Monkey is situated just a ten-minute walk from the town centre of Nelson and main tourist information centre, central bus stop, supermarkets, and shops. A dairy is just across the road.
The hostel owners offer free pick up from the town centre on request. The building is a small and very clean villa. Fully made-up beds are provided in the spacious shared dorms. There is a small sitting area in the rear garden. Tea and coffee is provided free of charge. And bikes can be used for free as well. The living room offers a very cosy, homey atmosphere with books, CD collection, and local tourist information on disposal. There is no television. Internet access is provided. The kitchen is very clean and very well equipped. Bathroom facilities are clean and spacious and suitable for handicapped. Camping equipment can be hired.
The owners look after the place very well -- maybe too well. Advanced booking is recommended, especially during summer months (November to January). Credit cards are not accepted. Off street parking is provided for three cars.
The Green Monkey Backpackers is a very quiet place and the perfect spot for the weary traveler to relax.
The hostel owners offer free pick up from the town centre on request. The building is a small and very clean villa. Fully made-up beds are provided in the spacious shared dorms. There is a small sitting area in the rear garden. Tea and coffee is provided free of charge. And bikes can be used for free as well. The living room offers a very cosy, homey atmosphere with books, CD collection, and local tourist information on disposal. There is no television. Internet access is provided. The kitchen is very clean and very well equipped. Bathroom facilities are clean and spacious and suitable for handicapped. Camping equipment can be hired.
The owners look after the place very well -- maybe too well. Advanced booking is recommended, especially during summer months (November to January). Credit cards are not accepted. Off street parking is provided for three cars.
The Green Monkey Backpackers is a very quiet place and the perfect spot for the weary traveler to relax.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2007
Their Description
Special Note from Hostelz.com: The Green Monkey Backpackers is no longer listed in any of the hostel booking systems, and the website we had listed for it is no longer up. There is a good chance they may have closed down. If you have any information about it, please let us know with the Listing Update Form.
For alternative options in Nelson, see the Nelson Hostels list.
For alternative options in Nelson, see the Nelson Hostels list.
The Green Monkey Backpackers DetailsFree Amenities
Parking Bedsheets Wi-Fi in LobbyOther Features
Smoke-free BBQ Grill Hot Showers Concierge / Info Desk Guest Kitchen Laundry Lounge Area Wheelchair AccessibleNot Offered
Credit Card PaymentsDetails
Curfew: No Curfew
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: All
Map Location/ContactHow is The Green Monkey Backpackers rated on other websites?
Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Sucky at best. I'd heard a few pretty good stories about this place so I thought I'd spend my last few days in Nelson at the Green Monkey. I'd been staying at somewhere else for a while before that and had a fantastic experience. What a dumb mistake it was to move. The atmosphere was drab at best, the lounge was like a squatter's den. The staff were pretty hilarious too, completely lacking in any kind of basic etiquette. On the day I was due to leave, I came back into my room an hour before check out to find a Dutch girl had thrown all of my belongings off of the bed to change it. Yeah -- it was a veritable hoot. Can't recommend it enough. — Alex, British (2011-06-20) My stay at the Monkey 'Enjoyed our stay there immensely. Spotless hostel with owners, Steve & Jo, that actually care about their guests and are not just counting the dollars. Loads of free stuff such as internet, bikes and delicious cake every night. The hostel is in a great spot between the mountains and the river and Steve told us about great local swimming spots which were fantastic to cool down in during the hot Nelson summer. Couldn't have asked for a better place to stay with such great hosts. — gary n, england (2011-02-13) Spotless hostel with a great atmosphere Had a great stay in this fantastic little hostel. The house is an original kauri house which is located near the river and mountains but also close to the city. The rooms were bright and airy and the place spotlessly cleaned. The owners were really friendly and nothing seemed too much trouble for them. They knew all the best places to go and even helped me book trips for free. It was a great place to meet other travelers especially for me as I was traveling alone. Thanks for the use of the free bikes and BBQ. I'll be back. — Kiwi girl, New Zealand (2011-02-12) Comfy, Friendly, Great situation, Clean A very comfortable and friendly place to stay, really convenient for the town and lovely parks, walks by the river, lazing on the fantastic beach or busy harbour. Free bikes were basic but extremely useful. Great host who was both friendly and very helpful. — Jane Mackinnon, UK (2011-02-01) Unimpressed The owner could do with a bit of respect for the guests, not a pleasant man to deal with at all! Otherwise I enjoyed my stay. — missbb, Britain (2009-11-12) Lovely quaint hostel, great rooms, very cosy atmosphere Nice hostel, lovely rooms, and very cosy atmosphere. the only problem with this hostel was the owners, who could be taught a few valuable lessons on how to treat their guests with a bit more respect. We had booked for two nights and after traveling a few days we decided to sleep a little through the first morning (about 9:30 to 10 a.m.), in comes the owner with four people sleeping in the dorm, starts talking very loudly saying "oh this is the lazy room" and then proceeded to clean the vacant beds and make an almighty racket in the room, finishing it all off by banging the room door after him. I was not at all impressed by this behaviour. Also only two toilets, which are actually in the shower rooms so everybody has to queue even if it's to use the toilet! — Miss Unimpressed, Ireland (2009-01-05) Brilliant So good we went back for Xmas. thanks to Chris and Debs, the long suffering owners (just joking!) -- it was the best hostel of our trip. you'd be a fool not to stay here. — Poppy and Stew, UK (2007-05-28) This was an absolutely excellent hostel! More like a big, clean house really. The young couple who run this hostel really integrated with their guests, so you feel part of the family rather than just some random number to a manager somewhere. They were great at helping me figure out what to do in the few days I spent there.The delicious homemade cake was also much appreciated! There is no TV here, which I found quite refreshing, as I met a lot more people sitting in the front room listening to music. Overall, if you're looking for a quiet but chatty time with other travelers, this is the place to stay at in Nelson. Top marks! — Sarah (2006-12-02)