10 Best Budget Accommodations in Nelson 🛌🏼 2025

Last Updated: 20 September, 2025

Where to Find Cheap Accommodation in Nelson

Save your money for the things that really matter, like day trips to the Abel Tasman National Park, skydiving, winery tours and more. That’s easily done in the city of Nelson, where budget accommodations pull out all the stops to attract your business.

We’re talking hostels with free chocolate pudding each night, motels with spa baths, holiday parks with summer gigs and children’s play areas…

Check out some of our top recommendations for budget accommodations in Nelson, right here!

While you are here, you might also be interested in The Guide to Nelson on a Budget and the 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nelson.

1. Delorenzo Studio Apartments

While not the cheapest accommodation in Nelson, Delorenzo Studio Apartments provides excellent value which might make you think twice about booking a drab motel room.

This apartment motel in the heart of Nelson offers chic and stylish decor across its 30 rooms. Most apartments feature a full kitchen, ensuite, spa baths and some even a balcony.

On the other hand, the cheapest studio here is a fantastic option for couples or solo travellers on a budget with the luxury of a private patio but a smaller kitchenette.

Communal facilities here include a heated swimming pool in summer, laundry services and services for business travellers.

Book Delorenzo Studio Apartments:

2. Tahuna Beach Holiday Park & Motel

Cheap cabins, motel units and camping sites can be found at this out-of-town holiday park at the idyllic Tahunanui Beach.

The cheapest rooms are the basic cabins where bedding needs to be hired and they are close to shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Meanwhile, kitchen cabins have basic kitchen facilities but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and cooking/utensils or hire them from reception. If you don’t have all that, don’t worry. You can upgrade to one of the motel accommodations with full bedding, ensuite bathroom and full kitchen facilities provided.

Whatever you choose, the holiday park is an excellent option for budgeting families thanks to the children’s playground, large open spaces, mini-golf and outdoor gigs in summer.

See more recommendations like this in our 10 Best Family Accommodations in Nelson.

Book Tahuna Beach Holiday Park:

3. Tasman Bay Backpackers

Nelson is a city of high-quality backpacker hostels, each offering something unique to get your business. For the Tasman Bay Backpackers, it’s free hot chocolate pudding and ice cream each night, free bike hire, free all-you-can-eat breakfast (in winter) and a wide selection of rooms!

Situated a short walk from the city centre, Tasman Bay Backpackers offers dorm accommodation, as well as private single, double and twin rooms with or without an ensuite.

The hostel has all of the expected communal facilities, such as a kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a cosy lounge and cool garden with lots of garden furniture to lounge in.

Book Tasman Bay Backpackers:

4. The Hotel Nelson

While prices fluctuate with the day of the week and season, it’s possible to find a good deal on a hotel room at The Hotel Nelson.

The centrally-located hotel features free WiFi, free parking, a heated pool in summer, laundry service, business facilities and free gym access.

As for rooms, the cheap hotel offers a wide selection of studios with a kitchen, units with a kitchenette and a large bathroom, and apartments with full kitchens, dining area/lounge and bathroom. There’s something affordable for couples up to groups of nine.

For more options with a kitchen, take a look at the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Nelson.

Book Hotel Nelson:

5. The Beachcomber Hotel & Conference Centre

Located just a short stroll from Tahunanui Beach, The Beachcomber Hotel offers a range of hotel rooms at an affordable rate.

Stay in one of their budget “Standard Studios”, upgrade to a kitchen in the “Kitchen Studio”, pamper yourself in the “Spa Studio”, or simply enjoy more space in the “One-Bedroom Unit”.

Guests also have access to an outdoor heated pool.

For more stays ideal for couples, check out the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Nelson.

Book The Beachcomber Hotel:

6. Amber Court Motel

While a little out of town, Amber Court Motel offers fresh and recently refurbished rooms just five minutes away from the airport. All units are on the ground floor and include easy-access units.

The motel is well-equipped with a guest laundry, a porta cot and high chair available, spa baths, a barbecue area and a garden.

As for accommodation, most rooms suit families with plenty of bedding and a full kitchen, while couples and corporate travellers can choose whether they have self-catering facilities or not.

Compare more motels in the 10 Best Motels in Nelson.

Book Amber Court Motel:

7. Admirals Motor Inn

It couldn’t be easier than Admirals Motor Inn, ideally located within a short walk from the city centre. While the motor inn offers apartments and executive rooms, they also offer extremely affordable “Budget Studios” and “Economy Studios” both with kitchenettes, ensuites and sleeping up to two people.

Guests also have access to on-site parking and views across one of Nelson’s inner-city parks.

See similar-but-different accommodations also listed in the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Nelson.

Book Admirals Motor Inn:

8. The Prince Albert Backpackers & Bar

A hostel in Nelson worth considering even for a private room, The Prince Albert Backpackers is set on the top level of a heritage pub-style bar about a five-minute walk from the city centre.

Choose to stay in dorms or private quad, twin and double rooms, sharing bathrooms, kitchen, TV lounge, games room and a sunny beer garden.

What’s more, the hostel has a wealth of free inclusions, such as breakfast, transfers between the bus terminal, luggage storage, WiFi and cruiser bike hire.

Book Prince Albert Backpackers:

9. The Bug Backpackers

Another fantastic hostel and cheap accommodation in Nelson is The Bug Backpackers, offering a homely stay just 15 minutes walk from town.

Free WiFi, free luggage storage, free breakfast, game tables, laundry services, a barbecue area and two communal kitchens are all part of the package here.

In between making use of the facilities, you can stay in a private studio with a queen bed, kitchenette and ensuite, an ensuite double room, one of the other private rooms with shared bathrooms, or a dorm room.

See more recommendations like this in the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Nelson.

Book The Bug Backpackers:

- The Bug Backpackers on Booking.com
- The Bug Backpackers on Trip.com

10. Castles Motel & Driftwood Motel

For a budget-friendly stay close to the sand, Castles Motel & Driftwood Motel is a solid choice in Nelson.

Located just a short stroll from Tahunanui Beach, it offers simple but comfortable self-contained units, each equipped with a kitchenette or kitchen so you can save by preparing your own meals.

Guests enjoy unlimited free WiFi, daily tea and coffee replenishments, and access to a communal garden with barbecue facilities.

Its convenient location makes it easy to explore, Nelson Fun Park is within walking distance, while Nelson Golf Links and the airport are only a few minutes’ drive away.

If you’re planning a day trip, Abel Tasman National Park is just 45 minutes by car.

Book Apartments Paradiso:

Castles Motel & Driftwood Motel on Booking.com

10 Best Budget Accommodations in Nelson 🛌🏼 [2025]

More About Budget Accommodations in Nelson

That’s it for our list of the best budget accommodations in Nelson. For more Nelson travel tips, be sure to check out the following guides:

Finally, if there’s anything that we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to Nelson on a Budget.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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