What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 2:00 PM until 10:00 PM, and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Early or late check-in/check-out may be available for an additional fee, and requests can be made at the front desk.

What is the location of the hotel in relation to key landmarks?

The hotel is centrally located in Wellington, just steps from the Embassy Theatre and Downstage Theatre, and approximately 0.1 mi from Wellington Central Business District, BATS Theatre, and Courtenay Place. Wellington International Airport is about 6.6 km (4.1 mi) away.

What are the hotel policies for guests staying with children?

Children are allowed at the property, but specific age policies for free stays are not provided in the available information.

The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers Wellington

Average nightly price at The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers by month, last 12 months (USD)
Month	Average price
January	$43
February	$39
March	$36
April	$39
May	$43
June	$43
July	$44
August	$45
September	$46
October	$36
November	$36
December	$40

What guests think

The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers is a characterful, budget-friendly pub hotel in a central, walkable spot, with many guests praising clean rooms, comfortable beds, and friendly staff, plus handy on-site dining at the bar and restaurant.

Common downsides include noise from the ground floor bar on busy nights, areas that feel tired or worn, and some small or stuffy rooms without air conditioning. Service feedback is mixed, with some guests citing slow check-in, room assignment disputes, and concerns about security or professionalism. The property mixes hotel and backpacker accommodation, with shared bathrooms in some areas and guest discounts at the pub. Overall, it suits value-focused travelers who don’t mind characterful, older lodgings alongside an active pub.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

On-site pub and restaurant are frequently mentioned, with guest discounts for guests; some accommodation uses shared bathrooms.

Related guest reviews

8

Matthew

Jun 11, 2022

·

Stayed 3 nights

Good value for money and comfy, other than the parking. Food downstairs was good.

10

Andrea

Mar 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I had a fantastic stay here! The beds were comfy and the showers were large enough to put your belongings in! Staff was friendly. I didn't know there was a kitchen until after I left and another guy told me about it, but otherwise enjoyed my stay. You get a discount at the bar which is cool.

10

Jordan

Jan 20, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved the location! The property is pretty neat too - definitely keeps its 1883 vibes while still having clean and comfortable rooms. Was nice to have the laundry services and pub too.

10

Chevaughan

Mar 17, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Bathrooms a little dirty, Toilet had mould growing in it but for budget accomodation I would definitely stay again. Super close to the bars and shops, On multiple bus lines, Free BBQ with a drink purchase on Fridays at the pub. Two very happy customers

10

tash

Jul 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic crew and a bonus is that you get discount at the restaurant and bar while staying at the hotel

8

William

Mar 30, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

I like the option to go have dinner and a drink at the restaurant. The staff were friendly, very convenient and close to courtenay place to experience the wellington nightlife. Also close to shops, the te papa museum, other restaurants and the waterfront. I cant recommend this hotel enough. I definitely will come back someday in the future. 8/10 is the rating ill give

8

Rachel

Nov 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean, nice to have a dining option downstairs. When we arrived our room wasn't quite ready. No problem reception gave us a couple of complementary drinks so we sat at the bar.

10

Jamie

Jul 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Just awesome as always, has everything we need and nothing we dont! Beds, bathrooms, breakfast and a bar, perfect for a sport or work visit to Wellywood! Thanks again, awesome weekend.

8

michael

Nov 1, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Clean room, kettle tea coffee and shared showers and toilets,very reasonable price,good bar downstairs

8

Trish

Mar 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice and clean. Bed was comfortable and sheets were clean. Shared bathroom facilities toilets were clean showers were hot and private

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Many reviews note clean rooms and bathrooms, but several report issues such as mould, stained toilets, and worn or dirty carpets and corridors.

Related guest reviews

2

Maria

Feb 21, 2024

·

Check in was very slow as only one person helped guests the other sat there, he wasn't on the phone so no reason to not get up and help or at least acknowledge guests. My room on arrival wasn't very clean. I reported it to reception including specifics like hairs in the sink, dirty stained toilet and broken dripping shower control. The hairs were still there the next day, toilet was cleaner but still stained. Housekeeping didn't touch the bed but had folded the toilet paper and replaced the one of every product with just two conditioners and two body lotion to show they had been. Hairs still there after day three. On my last morning a staff member let themself into my room at 8.45am (well before checkout) no knocking or announcing. I saw the secure lock move then handle and had a bag in the way so they couldn't enter my room. The storage for bags isn't secure they leave the door open during the day and I have seen at least four people enter the room with no staff member standing there. The daytime receptionist let me leave my bags behind reception as she saw my concern but the front office manager had told the night receptionist this isn't to happen. It's an old rundown building with no sound proofing but I expect the basics - safety and clean - especially when I report it to staff.

10

Haruru

Feb 23, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Wonderful staff, clean rooms and reasonably priced

8

emmanuel

Dec 18, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Its very quiet and the staff is so helpful and the toilet very clean

10

Mandy

Jul 17, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

It’s an old building and rooms are above the pub. There’s also dorm/backpacker style accommodation in the house. However the ensuite Hotel room was pristinely clean, old, tiny bathroom but very well serviced. Bed and linen were great quality. So if you can see past the rough charm of the reception area and the horror style elevator you will experience friendly hospitality at a fraction of the price you’d normally pay in Wellington.

8

Rachel

Nov 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean, nice to have a dining option downstairs. When we arrived our room wasn't quite ready. No problem reception gave us a couple of complementary drinks so we sat at the bar.

4

Leslie

Mar 31, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I dropped off my luggage and dashed out without really looking at the room- my last stay there - it’s a scrappy but charming pub hotel for those who don’t mind a slightly restored but still worn-down place - the desk closes at 10 pm and after dinner I arrived back to see really alarming brown material in the very worn carpet. Mud? Let’s hope so. The veery desk chap said in the morning: So sorry. That’s terrible. If you stay here, inspect the room before you accept it. They did say carpets would be replaced in April. No help for my stay however.

8

Trish

Mar 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice and clean. Bed was comfortable and sheets were clean. Shared bathroom facilities toilets were clean showers were hot and private

6

Joseph

Dec 3, 2022

·

Stayed 19,328 nights

Dingy, beat up, worn out. Cramped. Ancient. The room was dull with totally worn out carpeting, yellow paint. This room was a catastrophe, looks NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING like the photos on its website or in the Expedia app. The shower and bathroom were the only things it had going for it. The window has no lock on it. Shameful of them to charge us full price.

8

Priyavanti

Nov 25, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Clean room and helpful staff. It’s a nice quiet place to stay.

2

Tracy

Jan 1, 2023

·

Stayed 19,358 nights

Bathroom disgusting and mouldy, dark and dingy hallways, worst motel ive ever steyed at.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are basic and characterful with comfortable beds, but several are small or stuffy and lack air conditioning; noise can carry from the bar or street, and some maintenance feels dated or worn.

Related guest reviews

10

Shaun

Nov 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was fantastic, I've never seen such a big bed, it was clean, awesome! Loved my stay here, thank you.

10

Crista

Nov 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Actually the coolest place. Nice architecture, high ceilings. Everything is super old and well built and wooden. Nice new beds. Friendly staff.

4

james

Aug 1, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

No bed side lamps, Very bright room to sleep-in Very noisy

6

Jennifer

Apr 24, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

I think once their renovations are complete, this will be a lovely place to stay. Unfortunately, I felt that it was tired and run down.

4

Terry

Feb 22, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

fridge didnt work as well as light switch

6

Stephanie

Mar 1, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel is starting to look run down. It needs some money spent on it.

6

YUXI

May 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friday night is noisy

6

Ron

Jan 20, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

We checked in a room of 4. There is only 1 window and only 1 small fan. No AC at all. We had so much problems with sleeping in that hot Room Whole night .

6

Jessica

Jan 22, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Needs a better airflow in the room. The room was stuffy needs a bigger fan, more outlets too

6

Joseph

Dec 3, 2022

·

Stayed 19,328 nights

Dingy, beat up, worn out. Cramped. Ancient. The room was dull with totally worn out carpeting, yellow paint. This room was a catastrophe, looks NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING like the photos on its website or in the Expedia app. The shower and bathroom were the only things it had going for it. The window has no lock on it. Shameful of them to charge us full price.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Many guests describe friendly, helpful staff, but others report slow or unresponsive check-in, room allocation problems, and inconsistent follow-up or professionalism.

Related guest reviews

10

Crista

Nov 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Actually the coolest place. Nice architecture, high ceilings. Everything is super old and well built and wooden. Nice new beds. Friendly staff.

10

Andrea

Mar 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I had a fantastic stay here! The beds were comfy and the showers were large enough to put your belongings in! Staff was friendly. I didn't know there was a kitchen until after I left and another guy told me about it, but otherwise enjoyed my stay. You get a discount at the bar which is cool.

2

Maria

Feb 21, 2024

·

Check in was very slow as only one person helped guests the other sat there, he wasn't on the phone so no reason to not get up and help or at least acknowledge guests. My room on arrival wasn't very clean. I reported it to reception including specifics like hairs in the sink, dirty stained toilet and broken dripping shower control. The hairs were still there the next day, toilet was cleaner but still stained. Housekeeping didn't touch the bed but had folded the toilet paper and replaced the one of every product with just two conditioners and two body lotion to show they had been. Hairs still there after day three. On my last morning a staff member let themself into my room at 8.45am (well before checkout) no knocking or announcing. I saw the secure lock move then handle and had a bag in the way so they couldn't enter my room. The storage for bags isn't secure they leave the door open during the day and I have seen at least four people enter the room with no staff member standing there. The daytime receptionist let me leave my bags behind reception as she saw my concern but the front office manager had told the night receptionist this isn't to happen. It's an old rundown building with no sound proofing but I expect the basics - safety and clean - especially when I report it to staff.

10

Haruru

Feb 23, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Wonderful staff, clean rooms and reasonably priced

8

William

Mar 30, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

I like the option to go have dinner and a drink at the restaurant. The staff were friendly, very convenient and close to courtenay place to experience the wellington nightlife. Also close to shops, the te papa museum, other restaurants and the waterfront. I cant recommend this hotel enough. I definitely will come back someday in the future. 8/10 is the rating ill give

2

YUXI

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hi I had bad experience with hotel today, as last time the staff cheated, said will give me 114 but give me 103. After I confirmed with her, still that is. Ater I went upstair, cannot open the door, the staff together with me. Then she said she give me is 103. Today I ready for check in again, she want give me 103 still, after I ask, she wrote the number of room is 1034. Then I argued with her, the manager said don't rude to his staff, then will ask me leave. But when I ask how you define rude, he cannot response. And continued ask me Whether agree with not rude to his staff. As I told him I am not rude, but he is discrimination. Discrimination is illegal, he cannot response. Continued ask me same question, and ask me leave. I said I will but ask him refund. He said he will contact Expdia. But now I did not received any refund.

6

Margaret

Aug 17, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

Elegant old building, but not very well maintained. And service was non-existent.

6

Alison

Feb 19, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The property was definitely “tired”. Room very small. Man at registration desk was VERY helpful.

8

Rachel

Nov 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean, nice to have a dining option downstairs. When we arrived our room wasn't quite ready. No problem reception gave us a couple of complementary drinks so we sat at the bar.

8

Priyavanti

Nov 25, 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Clean room and helpful staff. It’s a nice quiet place to stay.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Central, walkable location near Courtenay Place, Te Papa, shops, restaurants, and public transport; a few note construction or a less polished surrounding area and some nightlife noise.

Related guest reviews

10

Jordan

Jan 20, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved the location! The property is pretty neat too - definitely keeps its 1883 vibes while still having clean and comfortable rooms. Was nice to have the laundry services and pub too.

8

Krolle

Feb 5, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Despite being a last minute booking, price was great. Close to everything.

10

Nicholas

Oct 12, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Building work around the hotel. An unkempt part of Wellington, but my stay at the hotel was very good

8

Heidi

Mar 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location and good value for money!

8

???

Aug 6, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

There is at convenient place. I can walk from the hotel to Tepala national museum.

8

William

Mar 30, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

I like the option to go have dinner and a drink at the restaurant. The staff were friendly, very convenient and close to courtenay place to experience the wellington nightlife. Also close to shops, the te papa museum, other restaurants and the waterfront. I cant recommend this hotel enough. I definitely will come back someday in the future. 8/10 is the rating ill give

8

Bruno Abraham

Feb 23, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Good location, close to museum, restaurants and shop. A little bit noisy at night because of the bar on the ground floor.

10

Dave

Jan 22, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

Always a pleasure staying at The Cambridge. Great location and awesome value for money accommodation!

10

Laura

Sep 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Easy walking distance to shops and restaurants. Also very close to piblic transport hub.

8

Scott

Sep 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Close to great dining in Courtenay Place

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

On-site bar and restaurant earn positive remarks for good food, value, and guest discounts; one review mentioned a limited menu.

Related guest reviews

8

Matthew

Jun 11, 2022

·

Stayed 3 nights

Good value for money and comfy, other than the parking. Food downstairs was good.

10

Andrea

Mar 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I had a fantastic stay here! The beds were comfy and the showers were large enough to put your belongings in! Staff was friendly. I didn't know there was a kitchen until after I left and another guy told me about it, but otherwise enjoyed my stay. You get a discount at the bar which is cool.

10

Chevaughan

Mar 17, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Bathrooms a little dirty, Toilet had mould growing in it but for budget accomodation I would definitely stay again. Super close to the bars and shops, On multiple bus lines, Free BBQ with a drink purchase on Fridays at the pub. Two very happy customers

10

tash

Jul 28, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic crew and a bonus is that you get discount at the restaurant and bar while staying at the hotel

4

Maria

Feb 21, 2024

·

The guy working in the restaurant on Sunday morning was brilliant, the food was tasty and came out quickly but I was there at a time the rush was over. The room was good with the exception that both taps dripped all night but I could barely hear it over the noise from the celebration downstairs.

8

William

Mar 30, 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

I like the option to go have dinner and a drink at the restaurant. The staff were friendly, very convenient and close to courtenay place to experience the wellington nightlife. Also close to shops, the te papa museum, other restaurants and the waterfront. I cant recommend this hotel enough. I definitely will come back someday in the future. 8/10 is the rating ill give

8

Rachel

Nov 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean, nice to have a dining option downstairs. When we arrived our room wasn't quite ready. No problem reception gave us a couple of complementary drinks so we sat at the bar.

10

Rob

Apr 30, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Always a consistently enjoyable stay at The Cambridge...great staff, food and location!!

10

Jamie

Jul 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Just awesome as always, has everything we need and nothing we dont! Beds, bathrooms, breakfast and a bar, perfect for a sport or work visit to Wellywood! Thanks again, awesome weekend.

8

michael

Nov 1, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Clean room, kettle tea coffee and shared showers and toilets,very reasonable price,good bar downstairs

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $44	2 $43	3 $43	4 $43	5 $68	6 $46	7 $37
8 $43	9 $43	10 $43	11 $43	12 $68	13 $43	14 $43
15 $43	16 $43	17 $43	18 $43	19	20 $50	21 $67
22 $43	23 $43	24 $43	25 $43	26 $73	27 $43	28 $43
29 $43	30 $43

The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers

Prices for The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Double Or Twin Room, 1 Bedroom, Ensuite

Standard Room, 2 Twin Beds, Shared Bathroom

Single Room, Ensuite

Single Bed in a 4 Bed Dorm

Triple Room, Ensuite

Single Bed in a 6 Bed Dorm

Single Room, Shared Bathroom (1 Single Bed Only)

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Single Bed in a 8 Bed Dorm

Quadruple Room, Ensuite

Guest reviews of The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers

Prices for upcoming dates

Business details

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23 $36	24 $46
25 $46	26 $34	27 $34	28 $34	29 $34	30 $35	31 $35