Reviews of The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre

09 February 2012 scarlett would recommend this property

Liked: the bar was great!

Disliked: dirty pool

12 January 2012 gary would recommend this property

Liked: Good place, friendly folks, great location

Disliked: Expensive, raised their rates for the Soccer World Cup, then didn't lower them afterwards, but a least they pay their staff a good rates, unlike other places in SA!?

05 January 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: There is a very relaxed atmosphere and everything you need is there or nearby.

Disliked: The kitchen is quit small.

05 January 2012 Eduardo would recommend this property

Liked: Undoubtly, this is the best location to stay in Cape Town... The hostel staff is awesome and very helpful... All sights are close at hand, and the atmosphere is perfect for making new friends from all over the world! Definately recomend it!!!

Disliked: I think free wi-fi internet would be the only missing point... all the rest is perfect!

04 January 2012

Liked: The common areas

Disliked: Smelly bathrooms, excessively hot rooms (impossible to breathe at night, as the city is very windy and windows couldn't remain opened), expensive internet compared to other hostels (most offer it for free), unfriendly staff, with very few exceptions seem unfamiliar with the word Hospitality, hence a notable lack of smiles and very poor advices. The hostel is picture-perfect but when you get there the atmosphere doesn't live up to the pictures. It focuses a lot more on the folks booking private rooms and doesn't pay much attention to backpackers' needs. The location is far from ideal, only suitable for those with a car, as the neighborhood is empty, specially at night. Do not recommend this hostel for those travelling alone, as most roommates were quite boring.

24 December 2011 Charlotte would recommend this property

Liked: The hostel has a nice bar and restaurant, the rooms are pleasant and clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful. You can get all the info you need for your stay in Cape Town.

Disliked: The place is a bit of a maze, and finding a bathroom could be challenging. The hostel is a bit more expensive than some on offer, but that is due to its great charity work in the community. It was a slight walk to and from Long Street.

13 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: clean

Disliked: -

11 November 2011 Dan would recommend this property

Liked: Great atmosphere and very clean rooms. The staff did everything they could to make sure our stay was comfortable. Close to all the bars on Long street and also a 5 minute drive to table mountain. The view is also amazing!

Disliked: Nothing

31 October 2011 Darren would recommend this property

Liked: this hostel is by far the best hostel I have stayed in to date and it would be very hard the find one as good .The staff are so helpful and friendly , the rooms are to the standard of a bed and breakfast in europe.I would recommend this hostel too any one looking for a home Away from home

Disliked: Nothing

10 October 2011 Christine would recommend this property

Liked: This place is fantastic! The whole experience was great. Super friendly, very well organised. The beds and bed sheets were better than many hotels I've stayed in. The whole place was super clean too. I can't wait to go back and would recommend to anyone.

Disliked: Nothing!

14 September 2011 Andrea would recommend this property

Liked: Great room, very large with a nice bathroom. Bar, lounge and outside areas really nice, and all the staff were incredibly helpful.

Disliked: It was rather expensive, we manager to find a decent 3* hotel cheaper down the road for when we returned to stay in Cape Town for an extra 2 nights.

03 September 2011 NAOKI would recommend this property

Liked: Staff is very friendly.

Disliked: It's located a little bit inconvenience. At the edge of the downtown.

30 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The single private room is big and neat, and the staff is friendly. Additionally, they have a travel desk and they can help you with touristy information. They have a nice open space area with a pool table and space to meet up people, as well as a neat little sort of restaurant with a fireplace and a flat screen tv.

Disliked: The place is really nice, but the only little negative point is that my room smelled kind of bad... maybe it was fresh paint, maybe it was something else... I couldn't tell - however, after a while you get used to it, and you don't smell anymore.. so it's not a huge deal...

23 August 2011 dwayne would recommend this property

Liked: internet

Disliked: -

07 August 2011 Lars would recommend this property

Liked: Great in all ways!

Disliked: Nothing.

20 July 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The staff and location was fantastic.

Disliked: I have no negative comments.

20 July 2011 Elvira would recommend this property

Liked: the atmosphere was really good, really nice staff and good location.

Disliked: internet and bbq were quite expensive

04 May 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: the location is brilliant being in walking distance to long street and the staff are really helpful in organising things for you to do. I was traveling on my own so it was a great place for me to meet other travelers and have some fun!

Disliked: it was quite expensive i felt and the atmosphere in the evenings was a little quiet.

11 April 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: proximity to the city

Disliked: The time for the internet allocated is too small

14 March 2011 Pamela would recommend this property

Liked: Close to the main atractions, safe, friendly service.

Disliked: Some keys didn't work well, so better try them before going out

06 March 2011 Jen would recommend this property

Liked: The staff were absolutely fantastic from organising a taxi to meet me at the airport, booking tours and being so helpful on check out. I didn't fly until 1am the following morning but they allowed me to store my luggage and have a shower before leaving, even though I'd technically checked out. The staff cannot be praised highly enough. I was also in a girls only room which was, as described very girlie and very comfortable.

Disliked: The room I was in was very close to the kitchen which made going to bed early a bit of a challenge because of the noise (as somebody stole my ear plugs - honestly, I ask you!)

20 February 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Perfect hostel - safe, clean and great communal areas. Not the cheapest, but well worth the money, especially if its your first stay in Cape Town. Staff are all extremely helpful with recommendations etc and there's a car park outside (guarded at night).

Disliked: Nothing - it was perfect.

15 February 2011

Liked: a little bit pricey

Disliked: internet, y have to pay, mmmmmmmmm

05 February 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Very friendly staff, excellent bar / restaurant on property and nice clean rooms and showers.

Disliked: The only negaive issue may just be isolated; but, I had an extremely difficult time receiving a reply from the property over several weeks and many email inquiries prior to arrival.

17 January 2011 Marcos would recommend this property

Liked: cleanliness, location

Disliked: just a little expensive