Empire Hotel Backpackers
Thames street 13
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Why people book this hotel
“Central location, close to Whitestone City, parking available”
“Location”
“We had a great stay, it was comfortable and basic, everything was there that was…”
“The location was good, checkin was straightforward Classic backpackers situatio…”
“N/A, maybe the price…”
“Value”
“parking fine”
“Comfortable clean bed”
Overview
Set in Oamaru and with Bushy Beach reachable within 2.9 km, Empire Hotel Backpackers offers a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. All guest rooms at the hostel come with a shared bathroom fitted with a shower. You can play billiards at Empire Hotel Backpackers. Moeraki Boulders is 37 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Richard Pearse Airport, 97 km from Empire Hotel Backpackers.
Traveller reviews
Bruce
solo_traveller
June 18, 2026
Great place to stay at
Hannah
couple
June 3, 2026
“It was exactly what we had hoped for being so close to the Steampunk Festival etc - minus shower etc”
We had a great stay, it was comfortable and basic, everything was there that was needed :) Thanks very much.
Karen
solo_traveller
May 29, 2026
“Very average, wouldn't recommend to friends”
Lovely warm fire in ground floor lounge/ dining area.
Bronwyn
solo_traveller
May 28, 2026
“Central location, quirky cool accommodation”
Central location, close to Whitestone City, parking available.
SHIHYI
solo_traveller
May 23, 2026
“Only this time”
N/A, maybe the price…
Des
solo_traveller
May 23, 2026
Close to restaurants
Eleanor
solo_traveller
May 20, 2026
“Old girl tries a night in a hostel dorm.happy and grateful.”
Good kitchen.great shower.parking fine
Guest
solo_traveller
May 13, 2026
“OK”
Comfortable clean bed.
Sheryll
solo_traveller
May 10, 2026
The closeness to the city and to my friends who live in Oamaru
LOK
solo_traveller
May 7, 2026
Location
Maria
solo_traveller
April 22, 2026
Close to everything.
McGee
solo_traveller
April 18, 2026
“It was fine, but I don't think staying in this kind of accom is for me”
The location was good, checkin was straightforward Classic backpackers situation, beds were fine.
Timothy
extended_group
April 6, 2026
“Crap, crap, crap”
I was not treated the way I thought I would be
Roukaya
solo_traveller
April 6, 2026
“Convenient for one night”
I thought the bed was comfortable and I was lucky that I only had one person sharing the 4 bed dorm with me. It would have been very cramped if there were more of us.
Maya
couple
April 6, 2026
Good location. Great bathrooms with nice showers.
Camila
solo_traveller
April 3, 2026
The location
Mark
couple
March 31, 2026
Value
Norm
solo_traveller
March 29, 2026
Great location
Peter
solo_traveller
March 27, 2026
Front lounge is quite convivial, two kitchens, comfortable beds. Excellent location, next to coffee shop, close to town and Victorian area. Building is a little tired.
Nathan
couple
March 24, 2026
Noisy road
Facilities
Activities
Billiards
Entertainment and family services
Board games/puzzles
Food & Drink
Breakfast options
General
Indoor fireplace, WiFi available in all areas, Heating, Family rooms, Non-smoking rooms, Non-smoking throughout, Designated smoking area
Internet
WiFi, Free WiFi, Internet services
Kitchen
Shared kitchen
Outdoors
Garden, Picnic area
Parking
Street parking, Accessible parking, Parking, Free parking, Parking on site
Safety & security
Smoke alarms, Fire extinguishers
Services
Shared lounge/TV area, Luggage storage, Laundry
Family Room with Shared Bathroom
The family room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Budget Double Room
The double room offers a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
The dormitory room features a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 6 beds.
Female Dormitory Room
The dormitory room features a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 6 beds.
Budget Twin Room
The twin room offers a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 2 beds.
Single Room
The single room features a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
Hotel Policies
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