Rutherford Hotel Nelson - A Heritage Hotel | City stay in Nelson | Book Now

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Key details

About the Hotel

Trafalgar Square, Nelson, New Zealand, 7001

Rooms & Amenities

Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers a range of accommodations, including spacious double rooms, apartments with hot tubs, and suites with kitchenettes. Rooms include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea/coffee makers. Some feature sea or mountain views. Select rooms have private bathrooms with walk-in showers, bathrobes, and free toiletries. Apartments include washing machines, dishwashers, and dining areas.

Dining Options

The Oceano Panorama Restaurant serves an à la carte dinner menu with fresh local produce, including seafood and Nelson-grown fruits and vegetables. The Port o' Call Bar offers cocktails, regional wines, and whiskies, along with light evening meals. Guests can enjoy breakfast at Oceano with views of the surrounding area.

Leisure & Walks

The hotel is near the Centre of New Zealand track, starting at the Botanical Reserve. Guests can walk to Christ Church Cathedral or take the Maitai track for a swim in the Maitai River. Tahunanui Beach, a 10-minute drive away, is ideal for family outings. The Nelson region has over 40 walks within 16 km of the city.

Location & Access

The hotel is in central Nelson, a short walk from galleries, shops, and Christ Church Cathedral. Nearby landmarks include South Street Gallery (0.3 km), Melrose House (0.5 km), and Founders Heritage Park (2 km). The Centre of New Zealand is 2.5 km away. Nelson Airport is 10 km from the hotel.

Events & Services

Rutherford Hotel Nelson hosts conferences for up to 700 delegates and banquets for 450 guests. The hotel focuses on sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint. Staff handle incidents and complaints following standard procedures. The property is equipped for business and leisure travelers, with event spaces and dining options.

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

King Room

Max:

2 persons

305 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Premium Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

305 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Double or Twin Room Disability Access

Max:

2 persons

305 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Getting around

All Transportation Options at a Glance

City Centre

Nelson2700 ft

Airports

Nelson (NSN) 5.5 mi

Woodbourne (BHE) 66.9 mi

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Free Wi-Fi

Parking

NZD 10 per day

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Currency exchange
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Hiking
Cycling
Golf course

Services

Valet parking
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Babysitting/Child services
Children's buffet

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Rooftop pool
Seasonal outdoor pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Sauna
Massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Dressing area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Washing machine
Free toiletries

Location

Trafalgar Square, Nelson, New Zealand, 7001

Map view

Trafalgar Square, Nelson, New Zealand, 7001

City landmarks

Garden

Queen's Gardens

3200 ft

Gallery

The Suter Art Gallery

3400 ft

Gallery

Wall To Wall Art Nelson

2200 ft

Landmark

Dance to the Music of Time

4200 ft

Gallery

Saligia

3200 ft

Landmark

Centre of New Zealand

1.5 mi

Park

Founders Heritage Park

1.2 mi

Landmark

Botanical Gardens

4900 ft

Landmark

Melrose House

2300 ft

Landmark

Fairfield House

3000 ft

Landmark

Anzac Park

2400 ft

Landmark

Southern Wilderness

2200 ft

Gallery

Quiet Dog Gallery

2200 ft

Landmark

Maitai Walkway

2200 ft

Landmark

Parker Gallery

2400 ft

Landmark

Rutherford Park

2700 ft

Landmark

Huangshi Garden

2700 ft

Landmark

Girlies Hole

4200 ft

Landmark

Centre of New Zealand Monument

1.5 mi

Landmark

Helibike Nelson

4900 ft

Landmark

Neale Park

1.0 mi

Nearby

Church

Christ Church Cathedral

900 ft

Museum

Nelson Provincial Museum

1100 ft

Market

The Nelson Market

1600 ft

Gallery

South Street Gallery

300 ft

123 Hardy St

Little Beehive Co-Op

1100 ft

Gallery

Red Art Gallery & Cafe

2000 ft

Gallery

ATELIER Studio

1100 ft

Mall

Morrison Square

1500 ft

Shop 8 Dowsons Arcade

Atkins Gallery

1900 ft

Restaurants

Port-O-Call Bar

100 ft

27 Nile Street W Rutherford Hotel

Cod & Lobster Brasserie

800 ft

300 Trafalgar Street

Ford's Restaurant and Bar

1000 ft

276 Trafalgar Street

East St

700 ft

8 Church Street City Central

Nicola's Cantina

800 ft

6 Church Street Across From Kush Coffee

The Vic Brewbar

1000 ft

281 Trafalgar Street

Golden Bell Thai Restaurant

1300 ft

104 Hardy Street

Tongtara Thai Restaurant

1000 ft

142 Hardy Street

Burger Culture

1000 ft

279 Trafalgar St

Lone Star

1300 ft

90 Hardy Street

Green Bamboo Vietnamese

1100 ft

126 Hardy Street

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

4/5 based on 513 reviews

#18 of 43 hotels in Nelson based on Tripadvisor

Edward

United Kingdom, November 2023

7.6/10

Upon returning to the hotel after a busy day of work conferences, I found the room unserviced despite the cleaner card on the door. The room itself was lovely with a great view and functional amenities, though it may benefit from an upgrade. The location was convenient, but noise from the street was a drawback.

Rooms

8.0

The room was lovely with a great view, functional amenities, and everything in working order, but could use an upgrade.

Service

9.0

The staff were friendly and extremely responsive, addressing issues promptly and moving us to a different room when needed.

Location

7.0

The location was convenient in the CBD within walking distance to cafes, but noise from the street was a minor issue at times.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was good for the one meal we had, though the pricing structure was a bit complex and on the higher side.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were adequate overall, offering the basics for a comfortable stay.

John

United Kingdom, November 2023

7.4/10

The hotel's location is central, making it ideal to park up and explore central Nelson on foot. The rooms are cleaned daily and come with quality complimentary toiletries, a nice bath, and tea and coffee facilities. The service from the staff was engaging and pleasant overall, with a minor hiccup during check-in time. The dining experience could use some improvement, especially for those looking for a quality breakfast. The hotel's facilities are satisfactory, providing what you need for a comfortable stay at a reasonable price.

Rooms

8.0

My room was cleaned daily with quality complimentary toiletries, tea, and coffee facilities. The bath was a nice addition to the room.

Service

7.0

The staff were friendly and pleasant, although there was a slight issue during check-in time.

Location

9.0

The hotel is centrally located, allowing easy walking access to many restaurants, parks, and shops in Nelson.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was satisfactory but could use improvement, particularly in offering better breakfast options.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel provides the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay at a reasonable price.

Peter

United Kingdom, October 2023

6.8/10

The hotel offers a decent stay with some positives like spacious rooms with a great view towards the cathedral, friendly service, and good location close to the center. However, the room windows were not well-maintained, and some noise disturbances affected the overall experience.

Rooms

6.0

The room was reasonably spacious with a great view toward the cathedral, but the windows were awful, letting in howling wind and presenting a grimy appearance.

Service

9.0

The staff were very friendly, helpful, and accommodating, enhancing the overall experience at the hotel.

Location

7.0

The hotel is situated close to the center, offering a good location with friendly staff, but noise disturbances and bright lights impacted the quality of rest for guests.

Dining

5.0

Although one evening meal was good, the breakfast options did not meet expectations in terms of quality and value for money.

Facilities

7.0

Limited details provided, could not include a specific comment about the facilities.

Kathleen

United Kingdom, July 2023

7.6/10

My stay at the hotel was quite pleasant. The rooms, although it took a while for them to be ready, turned out to be decent-sized, very clean, and comfortable. The location is superb, being close to many great restaurants and activities.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were decent-sized, very clean, and comfortable.

Service

7.0

The service was engaging and the staff were accommodating and welcoming.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is very eye-catching and conveniently close to the main shopping area and a variety of eateries.

Dining

6.0

The dining options were a bit pricey, but there are more affordable choices nearby.