Empire Hotel Backpackers
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Empire Hotel Backpackers
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Avg. $84 /night, 2/16 - 2/17
$84
per night
$83
per night
$82
per night
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Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
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About
#1 of 5 hostels in Oamaru
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Empire Hotel Backpackers is a carefully restored 1867 hotel in the heart of historic Oamaru. Guests walk through Victorian Streets to penguin viewing, galleries, cafes, bars, gardens, harbour and heritage walkways. We offer heated bedrooms, comfortable beds, well equipped kitchens and lounge rooms. One lounge has a log burner and free video library, with 3 internet kiosks. WiFi is available throughout the hostel. Our cleanliness and hot showers are a legend.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Self-serve laundry
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Centrally Located
Location
13 Thames Street, Oamaru 9400 New Zealand
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 88 out of 100
88
Dunedin Airport
109.6 km•
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Car Hire
23 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
A lovely good value venue in a great location. The staff treated us with real warmth and the 2 kitchens make it very easy to cook and dine. Close to Countdown and great onsite parking, room was small but bed was warm.Lovely log fire downstairs, good vibes.
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Friendly service, spotlessly clean, comfortable rooms, although an extra heater maybe needed when the weather is freezing. The bed was comfy and had an electric blanket. The bathroom was clean, shower was great.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Came up to Oamaru to visit my friend and stayed here for three nights. Stayed in the dorm which I ended having all to myself as no one else showed up. The room was cozy, bed was comfy and the staff were wonderful, I would highly recommend staying here
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An interesting old hotel, wood burner keeps you warm, two great dining kitchens with immaculate bathrooms having great showers.
Free parking to the rear.
Mandy does a great job looking after this backpackers.
Free parking to the rear.
Mandy does a great job looking after this backpackers.
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Date of stay: January 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An old hotel converted into a hostel so it did not have paper thin walls like so many other hostels. This made for a great night's sleep, comfortable bed, clean showers and kitchen. Lovely hot shower. Smaller rooms, some without bunk beds, unlike purpose build hostels. Mandy was exceptionally helpful and friendly. Thanks Mandy.
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was met here by a rude Indian looking receptionist. She arrogantly told me to remove my small shoulder bag from her table/counter, while I was getting my credit card to pay in her cramped teeny weeny area. When I asked for simple questions like where the supermarket was, she answered me hurriedly, showing little concern. I guess she did not want to be disturbed because she came from the TV room. The private double room that we got was small and so plain. The only consolation was the place was empty, no guests and parking at the back is ample. Well, location is central, but that's about it.....make this the last on your list.
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Date of stay: September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a true gem, and even though 4 days might be a bit too much for Oamaru, I could have stayed at this place a lot longer.
We stayed in a double room that was of good size and very clean. It could have had a few more hangers and hooks and also one thing that I really missed: a mirror! Would have made a big difference. That's my only complaint though. I appreciated that changed our towels after a few days.
The toilets and showers are clean and were never crowded.
There are two kitchens that are clean and well equipped. Also lots of space in the fridges. Great!
Free wifi with lots of data but you need a new ticket every day.
Perfect location!
The thing that really makes this place stand out are the wonderful couple who runs this place. They made us feel very welcomed and were truly nice people.
I warmly recommend this hostel!
We stayed in a double room that was of good size and very clean. It could have had a few more hangers and hooks and also one thing that I really missed: a mirror! Would have made a big difference. That's my only complaint though. I appreciated that changed our towels after a few days.
The toilets and showers are clean and were never crowded.
There are two kitchens that are clean and well equipped. Also lots of space in the fridges. Great!
Free wifi with lots of data but you need a new ticket every day.
Perfect location!
The thing that really makes this place stand out are the wonderful couple who runs this place. They made us feel very welcomed and were truly nice people.
I warmly recommend this hostel!
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Date of stay: January 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We happened upon the Empire in Oamuru...a fun easy location and the start of our stays at BBH hostels(if you're adventurous and love meeting people be sure to try this network of places to stay..become a member if you plan on traveling for awhile)...the fellow on the desk was so friendly and helpful our room was clean and quiet and convenient....
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Date of stay: January 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â within walking distance to Steampunk and Penguins and the old town
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fantastic backpackers run by the delightful Maureen and Tigger the cat. Great central location, 2 well-equipped kitchens, cosy sitting room with a log fire, free wifi and if you're lucky you might even see some blue penguins nesting in the garage out the back!
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Date of stay: August 2010Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for one night but would have loved to have stayed another, alas, our itinerary did not allow :)
We arrived quite late driving down from Christchurch after we finished work, slightly after reception closing. Lavleen was really lovely and waited for us as she knew we were coming late. She showed us to our room and made us feel very welcome.
The building, along with pretty much all in Oamaru are stunning. The hostel lounge was so cosy, there is a fireplace which the staff obviously stack throughout the day it was lovely and warm in the common area. All of the hostel facilities were super clean throughout, we were very impressed. Although it is an old building with high ceilings, typical of the Victorian era, we did not once feel cold. The rooms have fan heaters, extra blankets and a stash of more blankets in the hall box which Lavleen stocked up just in case.
The location was perfect. We spent our night at The Penguin Club for entertainment which was a 2-4 minute walk from the hostel, and when we went exploring the town in the morning all points of interest were really close by.
Thank you for a great stay, we look forward to staying again in future :)
We arrived quite late driving down from Christchurch after we finished work, slightly after reception closing. Lavleen was really lovely and waited for us as she knew we were coming late. She showed us to our room and made us feel very welcome.
The building, along with pretty much all in Oamaru are stunning. The hostel lounge was so cosy, there is a fireplace which the staff obviously stack throughout the day it was lovely and warm in the common area. All of the hostel facilities were super clean throughout, we were very impressed. Although it is an old building with high ceilings, typical of the Victorian era, we did not once feel cold. The rooms have fan heaters, extra blankets and a stash of more blankets in the hall box which Lavleen stocked up just in case.
The location was perfect. We spent our night at The Penguin Club for entertainment which was a 2-4 minute walk from the hostel, and when we went exploring the town in the morning all points of interest were really close by.
Thank you for a great stay, we look forward to staying again in future :)
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"There are alot of stairs so if you are an oldie, looking for a quiet, friendly, homelike place to stay, very convenient to everything this is a great place, just ask for a downstairs room. Treat yourself to a singalong down in what we affectionately called the dungeon - downstairs- very atmospheric and piano and guitars were put to good use."Read full review
"If you want to see the penguins but are not keen on paying the extortionate tour prices then speak to Mandy and she'll tell you where to see them for free."Read full review
PRICE RANGE
$82 - $84 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandOtago RegionOamaru
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Empire Hotel Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Empire Hotel Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include Oamaru's Victorian Precinct (0.2 km), Steampunk HQ (0.1 km), and Whitestone City (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Empire Hotel Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free parking, self serve laundry, and baggage storage.
Is parking available at Empire Hotel Backpackers?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Empire Hotel Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include Scotts Brewing Co, Cucina, and The Last Post Pub & Restaurant.
Is Empire Hotel Backpackers located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 km away from the centre of Oamaru.
Are there any historical sites close to Empire Hotel Backpackers?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Totara Estate (5.7 km).