Rutherford Hotel Nelson
27 Nile Street West Trafalgar Square, Nelson 7010 New Zealand
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About
#28 of 137 hotels in Nelson
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Nelson is an extraordinary NZ destination befitting a hotel of such a high standard. The Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers luxurious hotel accommodation with a full complement of features designed to help you achieve the most from your stay. The hotel offers a range of superior guest facilities including two restaurants, a cafe and is only a couple of minutes walk from Nelson's main shopping district and landmark cathedral. Dining, relaxing, or getting away from it all, this is one of the few hotels that puts you right at the doorstep of three national parks and an unmatched range of sandy beaches, blue seas and mountain wilderness.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Boating
Babysitting
Paid private parking on-site
Car park
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Sauna
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Bowling
Hiking
Mini golf
Archery offsite
Bicycle tours
Walking tours
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Car hire
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Massage
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Clothes dryer
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Washing machine
Ironing service
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bath / shower
Bathrobes
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Radio
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
City view
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
City View
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, French, Chinese, Afrikaans and 4 more
Location
94Great for walkers
Grade: 94 out of 100
87Restaurantswithin 0.5 km
27Attractionswithin 0.5 km
27 Nile Street West Trafalgar Square, Nelson 7010 New Zealand
Getting there
Car HireSee all Nelson car hire
543Reviews6Q+A88Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore 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.
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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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I I waited an hour and a half for my meal in the restaurant and in the end gave up and went to bed. My recommendation is …….don’t eat here. The rooms were very pleasant if a little care worn, staff pleasant but ineffectual.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Helpful
Great location, Staff were lovely, place was dated but tidy. Dinner Restaurant is still closed due to covid. The main reason for the down review is I had booked with a voucher for the first night that included breakfast. I asked for 2 more nights and expected breakfast. When I checked in, I validated it was but when we checked out was told not the case so we paid $69 (2 pax) per day for an avg breakfast that had we known we would have gone elsewhere and paid less. Mgr on duty would not budge or even apologise. Disappointed as I would have rated much higher
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip 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.
Helpful
Response from Alexander Siebentritt, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Responded 24 Sept 2023
Dear alexj671, thank you very much for choosing to stay with us and for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are sorry to hear that not all aspects of your stay have met your expectations. While we are very happy to hear that our team and facilities let you enjoy your stay with us in general. Equally we are disappointed to learn that you have not been fully made aware what is included in your room rate. We do offer both, breakfast inclusive rates as well as room only rates. It would appear that a room only rate was applied for the extension of your stay. Our full buffet breakfast includes everything from a la carte options to, juices, tea and coffee as well as, of course a wide selection of hot and cold food items. We feel that our charge rates are fair and reflect amount and quality available. Again thank you for your feedback and for choosing to stay with us and we hope that, despite your breakfast experience, we are able to be welcoming you back in the future. Best regards from the team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson ~ A Heritage Hotel. "Experience the best of N.E.L.S.O.N." Nature - Exceptional - Local - Safe - Optimistic - Neat
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at THE RUTHERFORD HOTEL. Our room was absolutely superb. However, what a let down the breakfast was. The quality of the food was appalling. Lukewarm, cheap tasteless sausages and hash browns, soggy scrambled eggs and very poor service. I can not understand why a quality hotel buy's such cheap food to serve to their guests. Come on MANAGEMENT, you can and SHOULD do much better than this.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Do NOT have breakfast at this hotel.
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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.
Helpful
Response from Alexander Siebentritt, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Responded 24 Sept 2023
Dear silverhead2016, thank you very much for choosing to stay with us and for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are sorry to hear that not all aspects of your stay have met your expectations. While we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your room for your special occasion, we are equally disappointed to learn that breakfast didn't meet your expectation. We have discussed your comments around food and service with our culinary team and also reviewed other positive feedback received from our 80 guests that morning. We do check the food temperature frequently on our buffet and keep records, these have not shown any great variation that day. As for the food quality, our sausages are locally produced and are what we feel of very high quality. The same is to be said for hash browns and bacon, while generally fattier product, quality is our utmost focus. Here again, I can assure you that we are purchasing well established brands with proven high quality products. Again thank you for choosing to stay with us again and we hope to be welcoming you back in the future. Best regards from the team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson ~ A Heritage Hotel. "Experience the best of N.E.L.S.O.N." Nature - Exceptional - Local - Safe - Optimistic - Neat
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HIGHLY recommend you choose the Rutherford Hotel for your stay at Nelson, you get treated like VIP's without the price tag We stayed at the Rutherford for 5 days Stepping into the foyer & the presentation of the staff - l thought major dollars, but found out it was the cheapest accommodation in Nelson. Best Customer service ever received, world wide. Not only did all the staff look so sharp & professional in their suits, they were ALL immaculately groomed. The staff were very warm & genuinely friendly and extremely helpful. Requested 2 coffee mugs and extra coat hangers -absolutely no issues - very different to the service at the Rydges Wellington (l have also reviewed Rydges Wellington) Location was excellent- only a few steps and you are in the main shopping and Eateries district, made it extremely useful as my husband uses a walking stick Room was huge with fantastic views over looking the sea and hills. There was even a pillow menu - Yes you can choose from: Aroma Therapy Pillow Feather Pillow Plush Latex Pillow Asthma & Allergy Safe Pillow Pillows were perfect so l didn't change them and the Bed well it was so comfortable, l even slept in, every morning. Facilities in the room were excellent: Besides the shower cap there was also a vanity box for ladies - which included a nail file 2 x beautiful fresh , white bath robes (they looked very new), but l didn't use them, because the towels also very white and fresh looking were very absorbent and Soft ! Room Compendium - with all the necessary info a visitor requires including paper & pen ( It is a shame most of the hotels no longer have these in the rooms) The usual coffee and tea facilities Housekeeping - EXCELLENT ! Have l mentioned the Bar and Restaurant- Very Impressive - there is also a Cafe near the foyer ALL your needs are met at the Rutherford Hotel …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Just enjoy being treated like VIP's
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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.
Helpful
Response from Alexander Siebentritt, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Responded 24 Sept 2023
Dear PNCorbo, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us your encouraging feedback. We are delighted to learn how much you enjoyed your experience with us and that our team was able to make your stay so memorable. I have shared your motivating comments with our team here at the hotel. Again thank you for choosing to stay with us and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to our extraordinary region in the near future. Best regards from the team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson ~ A Heritage Hotel. "Experience the best of N.E.L.S.O.N." Nature - Exceptional - Local - Safe - Optimistic - Neat
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a great place to stay - comfortable rooms and beds, friendly staff and all within walking distance of everything in Nelson CBD. I’ve stayed here several times and always enjoyed it. The hotel is a little bit dated but it’s clean and very well looked after. Ask for a room overlooking the cathedral and the city. 10/10 from me
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip 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.
Helpful
Response from Alexander Siebentritt, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Responded 13 Sept 2023
Dear Vivienne S, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us your encouraging feedback. We are delighted to learn how much you enjoyed your experience with us and that our team was able to make your return visit so memorable. I have gladly shared your encouraging feedback with our team. You will be pleased to learn that we are currently in the planning stages for some updates around the hotel. Again thank you for choosing to stay with us again and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to our extraordinary region. Best regards from the team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson ~ A Heritage Hotel. "Experience the best of N.E.L.S.O.N." Nature - Exceptional - Local - Safe - Optimistic - Neat
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had to travel down to Nelson for a funeral and stayed at this hotel for 7 days. Travel was hard as i am a double amputee in and electric wheelchair. I was afraid the room and facilities would not be spacious enough to accommodate my needs. I was so wrong, the hotel )and bathroom) was perfect. The staff (especially the manager Rawiri) were friendly and so aware of my needs. I can't say enough about how wonderful they were. Food and coffee was GREAT too. I would highly recommend this hotel if you are disabled, just made the week so smooth and less stressful for us. Thank you guys at the Rutherford Hotel - BIGGEST THANKS to Rawiri!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Alexander Siebentritt, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Responded 13 Sept 2023
Dear S6975XGlindaw, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us your encouraging feedback. We are delighted to learn how much you enjoyed your experience with us and that our team, in particular Rāwiri, was able to make your stay memorable. I have passed your motivating comments on to our team here at the hotel. Again thank you for choosing to stay with us and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to our extraordinary region. Best regards from the team at Rutherford Hotel Nelson ~ A Heritage Hotel. "Experience the best of N.E.L.S.O.N." Nature - Exceptional - Local - Safe - Optimistic - Neat
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Central location, easy self parking, despite the age the rooms are good, check in and check-out need to be modernized and made more guest friendly, view from the 9th floor was good, no complaints, would stay again
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Helpful
Rutherford Hotel a heritage hotel in the city centre of Picton. Located adjacent to the Cathedral and in the heart of Picton. Plenty of cafes and shops within a 10 minute walk. Rooms nicely appointed with a spacious bedroom area and shower. Beds comfortable with quiet surrounds . The staff were very courteous and helpful. The only criticism I would have was that the heating was a little hard to regulate . Otherwise a very pleasant stay .
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Ideal spot to stay if you have no transportation, everything within walking distance
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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.
Helpful
Stayed here for a couple of nights whilst on a tour, with 40+ people, so they knew we were coming. Only as we got near did they tell us that, despite arriving about 7pm after a very long day, both the bar and the restaurant would not be open, due to staff shortages. I was happy to go out into the town to eat, but others in our party were not, owing to the fact that there was torrential rain outside, yet were faced with no alternative. Definite black mark for such a major hotel. They have an outside pool and I wanted to go for a swim, yet was told that the pool was closed "for the winter". Again, poor show. My room was OK, but only a couple of very thin pillows, not very comfortable. Bathroom small and a little tired. Having said all that the staff were lovely & super-helpful. The lobby and the Dining Room were large & comfortable. The breakfast buffet was OK, but there was no egg station. So overall, not a great experience.…
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Helpful
Highly recommend this property if you're in Nelson. Superb location and great beds and linens. The shower and tub were very enjoyable too. Wake up hungry because the buffet breakfast is excellent with enormous variety.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$124 - US$145 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
nelson rutherford hotel
LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandNelson-Tasman RegionNelson
NUMBER OF ROOMS
113
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Claim Your ListingRUTHERFORD HOTEL NELSON - Now $204 (Was $̶2̶5̶6̶) - UPDATED 2023 Reviews & Price Comparison (New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Which popular attractions are close to Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Nearby attractions include Nelson Saturday Market (0.3 km), Nelson Provincial Museum (0.2 km), and Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith (0.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and paid private parking on-site are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Conveniently located restaurants include Harry's Hawker House & Bar, Nysa Turkish Restaurant, and Hopgoods & Co.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Is Rutherford Hotel Nelson located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 km away from the centre of Nelson.
Are any cleaning services offered at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Rutherford Hotel Nelson offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Rutherford Hotel Nelson?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, German, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, and Korean.