Rutherford Hotel Nelson

4.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Rutherford Hotel Nelson

Breakfast and dinner served, seafood
Premium Double or Twin Room, Multiple Beds | Minibar, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free cribs/infant beds
Reception
Exterior
Seasonal outdoor pool, open 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM, pool umbrellas

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

View in a map
Trafalgar Square, Nelson, 7010
  • Place, Christ Church Cathedral
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Nelson Provincial Museum
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Nelson Market
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Nelson (NSN)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

Premium Double or Twin Room, Multiple Beds

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(36 reviews)
  • 291 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Premium Double Room, 1 King Bed

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • 291 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Premium Double or Twin Room, Multiple Beds, Accessible

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 291 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Triple Studio

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 463 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Quadruple Suite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 398 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 3 Twin Beds

Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 614 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Executive Apartment, Multiple Beds

  • 1238 sq ft
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Nelson

Located in Nelson City Centre, Rutherford Hotel Nelson is adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral and within a 5-minute walk of other popular sights like Nelson Provincial Museum. This 4-star hotel welcomes guests with 113 rooms and conveniences like free in-room WiFi, a gym, and a 24-hour business center.

What's nearby

  • Christ Church Cathedral - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Nelson Provincial Museum - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Nelson Market - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Trafalgar Park - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Nelson (NSN) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tern Coffee House - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Coupland's Bakeries - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪The Vic Mac's Brew Bar - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪ChokDee - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Kimchi & Wasabi - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Rutherford Hotel Nelson

Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers a gym, a sauna, and free WiFi in public areas. Valet parking is offered for NZD 10 per night. The 24-hour front desk has multilingual staff ready to assist with dry cleaning/laundry, luggage storage, and tours or tickets. Additional amenities include meeting rooms, a conference center, and a 24-hour business center.
Guests can expect 42-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels, along with free WiFi and wired Internet. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and free toiletries, and beds are dressed in pillow menus. Other amenities include minibars, coffee makers, and free local calls.
Recreational amenities at the hotel include a sauna, a fitness center, and a seasonal outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Height restrictions apply for onsite parking
  • Secured, uncovered self parking on site (NZD 10 per night)
  • Secured, uncovered valet parking on site (NZD 10 per night; includes in/out privileges)
  • RV/bus/truck parking (surcharge) on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 5:00 AM to 10:30 AM on weekends; NZD 34.50 for adults and NZD 17.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Atom Cafe
  • Oceano
  • Port O' Call

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Bicycle tours
  • Gym
  • Sauna
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Fenced pool
  • In-room babysitting (surcharge)
  • In-room crib
  • Laundry facilities
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business center
  • 6 meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference center (6,297 square feet of space)

Outdoors

  • In a nature reserve
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 3 accessible parking spaces
  • Elevator (39 inch wide door)
  • Handrails in stairways (35 inches high)
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible bathroom vanity (28 inches high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business center
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (39 inches high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Ballroom
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options
  • Water dispenser usage encouraged

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Free crib
  • Pillow menu

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Meal delivery service
  • Minibar
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Free local calls
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Recycling

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight

Late check-in subject to availability

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The following facilities will be closed during October, May, June, July, August, and September:
  • Swimming pool

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

  • One child 13 years old or younger stays free when using existing bedding
  • Free cribs/infant beds are available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately NZD 34.50 for adults and NZD 17.50 for children
  • Uncovered self parking fee: NZD 10.00 per night
  • Uncovered valet parking fee: NZD 10 per night (in/out privileges)

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-midnight
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Driving? For a fee, this property offers self parking, along with RV, bus, and truck parking. There's also a car charging station.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
  • The credit card used at check-in for incidentals must be in the name of the primary guest who made the reservation.
  • This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
  • This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • The seasonal pool is open from October 01 to March 31.
  • Pool access available from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.
  • Parking has height restrictions.

National rating

Rating provided by Qualmark®, source of official star ratings for accommodation in New Zealand.

Property is also known as

Rutherford Hotel Heritage Hotel

Rutherford Hotel Nelson Heritage Hotel

Rutherford Nelson

Rutherford Nelson Heritage

Rutherford Hotel Nelson

Rutherford Hotel

Nelson Rutherford Hotel

Rutherford Hotel Nelson Hotel

Rutherford Hotel Nelson Nelson

Rutherford Hotel Nelson Hotel Nelson

Frequently asked questions

Is a free cancellation option available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers free cancellation on certain room rates. For additional details, look at the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

How much does it cost to stay at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

As of May 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rutherford Hotel Nelson on May 16, 2026 start from $133, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What can I see within easy reach of Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

This hotel is situated in Nelson City Centre, just steps from Flamedaisy Glass Design and Nelson Provincial Museum, and within a short walk of Nelson Market. You'll also find Trafalgar Park and Queens Gardens less than a mile away.

Is there parking available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

Yes, valet parking is offered for NZD 10 per night and self parking is available for NZD 10 per night. An electric car charging station, wheelchair-accessible parking, and RV/bus/truck parking are also available.

Does Rutherford Hotel Nelson include a casino at the property?

No, Rutherford Hotel Nelson doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

No, this hotel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool. Guests have access between 6:00 AM and 9:30 PM and the seasonal pool will be open from October 01 until March 31.

What do couples enjoy most about Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

Amenities that appeal to couples at this hotel include 24-hour room service, a pillow menu, and a minibar.

Are there hot tubs at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

No, but guests can enjoy a sauna at this hotel.

Does Rutherford Hotel Nelson have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?

Yes, Rutherford Hotel Nelson serves a full breakfast for a surcharge each morning at Oceano.

Does Rutherford Hotel Nelson allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at Rutherford Hotel Nelson.

Are there connecting rooms at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

No, this hotel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Where is the closest airport to Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

The closest major airport to Rutherford Hotel Nelson is Nelson (NSN), which is 4.6 mi away (12 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?

No, there aren't any guestrooms with balconies at Rutherford Hotel Nelson.

Does Rutherford Hotel Nelson have a wedding venue?

If you plan to exchange vows during your trip, consider the wedding services available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson.

Rutherford Hotel Nelson Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 332 out of 633 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 229 out of 633 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 60 out of 633 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 633 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 633 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Ioram

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Me parece que es el mejor hotel de la ciudad. En el lobby hay un mercedes benz de colección de 1964 que es una joya y viste bien al lugar. Las habitaciones están bien, pero si sugiero hacer compras de colchones más modernos. La ubicación del hotel es muy buena también. El personal muy amable en todo momento.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Alex, Medina

Liked: Cleanliness
The hotel is a bit old especially mattresses that feel uncomfortable and may have outlasted the nice 1950s Mercedes 230SL that is displayed in the lobby.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Cornelia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Spotless room, very nice staff, everything nearby, perfect location for a stay in Nelson!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Vickie

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Forrest

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Gemma

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Hotel is in a great location for exploring Nelson, we parked on the street outside the hotel which was free and was always able to find a space Rooms are quite dated but were clean and comfortable and a good size. We were really disappointed to find the pool closed for maintenance whilst we stayed as this was one of the reasons we chose the hotel. The coffee shop in the hotel was disappointing but there are lots of better options within walking distance.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Raewyn

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Bedside table had broken leg so couldn’t balance anything on the top.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Anne

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Did not have breakfast Clean room Staff lovely Air conditioning good TV terrible could not get most of the channels When phoned downstairs they said they thought they were upgrading some of the TV - not at all helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Viv

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gregory, West Sacramento

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel and room. Friendly & helpful staff. Location is within a 5 minute walk to several restaurants and stores, 5-10 minute walk to large grocery store, and 10-15 minute walk to main bus depot. Overall, a very good stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Dinah

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No we don’t take breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Karthika

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The stay was good but the parking was not convenient. Free parking got filled easily and additional parking was at a cost. For the expensive price we pay for the room, the parking should be free as the normal hotels provide.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Clean rooms
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Stephen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice stay as always. Rooms have had a slight makeover since my last stay. Beds are very uncomfortable and could do with a change.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Mr T

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff were very helpful and friendly. Nice big room. Great to have a bath and shower. Good for restaurants, cathedral and central Nelson, thsnkyou
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Welcome check in, car parking on site, spacious room, clean, well equipped, quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mr David L

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Graeme

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was large, clean and comfortable. Great view and was quiet. Air con worked great, but also could open windows if needed. Lovely pool area for an inner city hotel. Also great location as close to everything
Looking towards water
Looking toward cathedral
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Maurice

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable bed / good service
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Shane

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Herbert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Merill

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely customer service from everyone on the front desk. The room was lovely and very clean really comfortable and we hsd a great time in zznNelson. We will he back and will def stay at the Rutherford Hotel sgain
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025