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a hallway with stairs leading up to a staircase, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
Budget Twin Room, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
a bed in a room with a window, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
a bedroom with a bed and a desk, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
a bathroom with a sink, toilet and tub, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
people walking down a street in front of a store, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru
a man standing next to a wooden table in a room, Empire Hotel Backpackers in Oamaru

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8.7

Excellent

382 reviews

382 reviews

See map
See map

9.2

Exceptional

Location rating score

Exceptional location
Excellent for walking
Parking
FREE
Walkable places
Forrester Gallery

10 m

Steampunk HQ

140 m

Jessie Roberts Store

150 m

Fat Sally's

160 m

Photo Shoppe

190 m

Closest landmarks
Oamaru i-SITE

100 m

Presence on Harbour

220 m

North Otago Museum

230 m

Lazy Cat Pottery and Tileworks

250 m

The Oamaru Textile Exchange

250 m

Empire Hotel Backpackers

Thames street 13, South Hill, Oamaru, New Zealand, 9495 - See map

Conveniently situated in the South Hill part of Oamaru, this property puts you close to attractions and interesting dining options.

Highlights

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!

Garden

Laundry service

Smoking area

Shared kitchen

Facilities

Car park

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!

Luggage storage

Game room

Laundry service

Wi-Fi in public areas

Family room

Smoking area

Value for money8.7
Location rating9.2

Rooms available at Empire Hotel Backpackers

Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
...
  • Room size: 14 m²/151 ft²
  • Shower
  • 1 bunk bed
Enter dates to see prices
Budget Twin Room
...
  • Room size: 7 m²/75 ft²
  • Shower
  • 2 single beds
Enter dates to see prices
Budget Double Room
...
  • Room size: 7 m²/75 ft²
  • Shower
  • 1 double bed
Enter dates to see prices
Female Dormitory Room
...
  • Room size: 12 m²/129 ft²
  • Shower
  • 6 bunk beds
Enter dates to see prices
6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
...
  • Shower
  • Shared bathroom
  • 6 single beds
Enter dates to see prices
Economy Room
...
  • Room size: 7 m²/75 ft²
Enter dates to see prices
Family Room
...
  • Shower
  • Shared bathroom
  • 6 single beds
Enter dates to see prices
Single Room
...
  • Shower
  • Shared bathroom
  • 1 single bed
Enter dates to see prices
Double with Shared Bathroom
...
    Enter dates to see prices
    Economy Room Shared Bathroom
    ...
      Enter dates to see prices

      Frequently asked questions

      What time is check-in and check-out at Empire Hotel Backpackers?

      Check-in is from 01:00 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM. You may request early check-in or late check-out during booking, subject to availability. Guests checking in or out before or after the designated periods may be charged an additional fee. The hostel offers luggage storage to guests for before check-in and after check-out.

      How do I get to Empire Hotel Backpackers?

      For those who wish to drive their own cars, Empire Hotel Backpackers has a car park that's close to the hostel. Parking is free for guests.

      What is the smoking policy at Empire Hotel Backpackers?

      Empire Hotel Backpackers does not permit smoking in any of its rooms, but allows smoking in designated areas.

      See map

      Explore the neighborhood

      What people love about Empire Hotel Backpackers

      • 10

        Exceptional
        Cleanliness

        "Very nice and clean kitchen with friendly community."

        Jenn

        |

        January 3, 2023

      • 9.6

        Exceptional
        Location

        "Good price for a good location!!"

        Khrisner

        |

        March 9, 2023

      • 9.6

        Exceptional
        Spaciousness

        "BIG kitchen/dining area, very spacious lounge."

        Nancy

        |

        December 18, 2022

      Overall rating:

      8.7

      Excellent
      382 reviews
      Cleanliness
      8.5
      Facilities
      8.2
      Location
      9.2
      Read all reviews >
      More about Empire Hotel Backpackers

      More about Empire Hotel Backpackers

      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 feature a shared bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. You can play billiards at the hostel. Moeraki Boulders is 37 km from Empire Hotel Backpackers. The nearest airport is Richard Pearse Airport, 97 km from the accommodation.

      Show less

      Amenities and facilities

      Excellent
      Facilities

      8.2

      Languages spoken
      • English
      Internet access
      • Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
      • Internet services
      • Wi-Fi in public areas
      Things to do, ways to relax
      • Billiards
      • Game room
      • Garden
      Dining, drinking, and snacking
      • Shared kitchen
      Services and conveniences
      • Elevator
      • Heating in public area
      • Laundry service
      • Luggage storage
      • Smoke-free property
      • Smoking area
      For the kids
      • Family room
      Access
      • Fire extinguisher
      • Non-smoking rooms
      • Pets allowed
      • Smoke alarms
      Getting around
      • Car park [free of charge]
      • Car park [nearby]

      Location

      Thames street 13, South Hill, Oamaru, New Zealand, 9495
      Exceptional
      Location

      9.2

      Property policies

      Children and extra beds

      Extra beds are dependent on the room you choose. Please check the individual room capacity for more details.

      All children are welcome.

      Others
      • When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

      Some helpful facts

      Check-in/Check-out
      • Check-in from13:00
      • Check-in until21:00
      • Check-out from09:00
      • Check-out until10:00

      Property announcements

      Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply. Please inform Empire Hotel Backpackers in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation. Guest cannot check in after 21:00.

      Reviews of Empire Hotel Backpackers from real guests

      Provided by verified guests of Agoda
      8.7
      /
      10
      Cleanliness8.5
      Facilities8.2
      Location9.2
      Service8.9
      Value for money8.7
      High score for Oamaru
      Rating
      9+ Exceptional (17)
      8-9 Excellent (7)
      7-8 Very Good (1)
      6-7 Good (0)
      <6 Below Expectation (1)
      Time of the year
      Mar - May (9)
      Jun - Aug (6)
      Sep - Nov (3)
      Dec - Feb (8)
      Showing 26 verified guest comments
      12
      10.0
      Exceptional
      QIANTING from China
      Solo traveler
      Female Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in July 2017

      As nice as home ”

      All roads have been closed because of the heavy rain in July, other BBH increased the prices and they were rude like you got no accommodation choices because of bloody roads. But Empire didn’t, they keep their prices and be nice to you. Just tell them what you needed. I’ve been stayed here for two nights and told my friends to come for one more night during the road blocked time.

      Reviewed December 23, 2017

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      Jing from Singapore
      Couple
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 1 night in March 2018

      An excellent stay at Empire Hotel and special thanks to Loveleen!”

      We recently stayed one night at this lovely hotel and really enjoyed it. Its location is great and within walking distance to the supermarket as well as to see the penguins. Our special thanks to Loveleen! She is a very cheerful, friendly and considerate charming lady. The gesture of her willingness in helping me to dial a local number (when my own phone is not working) certainly lightened up my day and our stay at this lovely hotel.

      Reviewed March 14, 2018

      See room deals

      8.4
      Excellent
      Tomasz from United States
      Solo traveler
      Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in April 2019

      A good hostel with a great location”

      The location is very central. It is an old historic hotel with some signs of age. Overall, it is a good hostel.

      Reviewed May 04, 2019

      See room deals

      9.6
      Exceptional
      Choon from Malaysia
      Couple
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 1 night in April 2019

      Nice Heritage Building”

      I just love the heritage building of this and the staff is very friendly. The room is not spacious but it is good for stay.

      Reviewed June 28, 2019

      See room deals

      9.6
      Exceptional
      Nancy from United States
      Solo traveler
      Female Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in September 2019

      Great value; I'll return next time, too!”

      GREAT location; walkable to the best of Dunedin; easy to find on main street, but still quiet; friendly and helpful manager by the name of "Love-leen” (sorry, I don't know the proper spelling).

      Reviewed September 06, 2019

      See room deals

      8.8
      Excellent
      Wai from Malaysia
      Couple
      Budget Twin Room
      Stayed 2 nights in December 2018

      Perfect for backpacker”

      It is located in the heart of town where you can visit every attraction spots & heritage buildings within walking distance...

      Reviewed December 16, 2018

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      Geoffrey from New Zealand
      Solo traveler
      6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in June 2018

      Very interesting”

      One of the oldest buildings with a lot of history

      Reviewed June 08, 2018

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      YUTING from Taiwan
      Solo traveler
      Female Dormitory Room
      Stayed 2 nights in February 2019

      Exceptional”

      Very friendly staff. Lovely and cosy.

      Reviewed February 27, 2019

      See room deals

      9.6
      Exceptional
      Khrisner from New Zealand
      Family with young children
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 1 night in January 2023

      Good location”

      Good price for a good location!! 👍🏼

      Reviewed March 09, 2023

      See room deals

      8.8
      Excellent
      Fong-Chang from New Zealand
      Group
      Budget Twin Room
      Stayed 1 night in February 2023

      It’s a lovely place to stay but…”

      This is our third visit over the past year. I noticed the “out of order” sockets in the kitchen were not fixed. The door handle in the room we stayed in was loose. The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night and that was faulty. Seems to me the hotel needs quite bit of renovation.

      Reviewed March 01, 2023

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      Jenn from New Zealand
      Solo traveler
      6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in December 2022

      Exceptional”

      Very nice and clean kitchen with friendly community. Clean and comfortable bunk beds and bathrooms. Quiet at night, good distance for evening/night walk to the penguins spotting locations.

      Reviewed January 04, 2023

      See room deals

      9.6
      Exceptional
      Nancy from United States
      Solo traveler
      Female Dormitory Room
      Stayed 2 nights in December 2022

      Pretty good bang:buck ratio”

      GREAT location on the edge of the Victorian Precinct; 3-min. walk to Steampunk Headquarters, etc. Quiet, comfy beds in both dorm and private rooms. BIG kitchen/dining area, very spacious lounge. Excellent value!!

      Reviewed December 19, 2022

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      simon from New Zealand
      Solo traveler
      6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in December 2022

      Relaxed and friendly ”

      Friendly and helpful staff, great central location, clean, good water pressure in the showers,

      Reviewed December 16, 2022

      See room deals

      6.0
      Esther from Malaysia
      Couple
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 2 nights in October 2022

      Above average”

      Room is very tiny. Building is very old and very dusty. Kitchen and bathroom very clean and nice hot shower. Good location in center

      Reviewed October 14, 2022

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      Bob from New Zealand
      Couple
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 1 night in May 2022

      Exceptional”

      We were made to feel more than welcome and part of the hotel family Our 5 night stay was wonderful, we could'nt have stayed anywhere better. Bon & Glenys.

      Reviewed May 10, 2022

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      YEN from New Zealand
      Solo traveler
      Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in April 2021

      Friendly Backpacker Hostel”

      Well located in the middle of the town. Supermarket and eateries are just within walking distance. There were not many travelers during my visit, so the hostel upgraded me to private room.

      Reviewed June 16, 2021

      See room deals

      10.0
      Exceptional
      KEUMCHO from New Zealand
      Solo traveler
      Female Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in June 2022

      고풍스런 호텔체험”

      내가 묵어봣던 백배커 중의 최고의 환경이었다

      Reviewed June 21, 2022

      See room deals

      9.2
      Exceptional
      YUN from South Korea
      Solo traveler
      Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in December 2018

      올드함이 멋스러운 집”

      건물 전체가 올드하기는 하지만 그런대로 멋있어요. 리셉션도 친절하고 전체적으로 깔끔해요. 많은사람들이 오는 곳이 아니라서 조용해요. 근데 주방냉장고가 너무 작아요..

      Reviewed December 28, 2018

      See room deals

      8.4
      Excellent
      Jijung from South Korea
      Solo traveler
      Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
      Stayed 1 night in October 2017

      스텝친절. 와이파이 1일 10기가. 천장높아서 답답하지않음. 키친이 좀 작지만 사용하는사람들이랑 안겹쳐서 가격대비 만족”

      Reviewed October 29, 2017

      See room deals

      8.8
      Excellent
      SHUN from China
      Couple
      Budget Double Room
      Stayed 1 night in March 2023

      还是可以的”

      蛮好

      Reviewed March 15, 2023

      See room deals

      12
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