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Amakaya Backpacker Hostel Reviews

15 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Reviews & Ratings Explained

80%Overall Rating

From 13 ratings
  • 77%Character
  • 80%Security
  • 91%Location
  • 82%Staff
  • 77%Atmosphere
  • 75%Cleanliness

The following reviews were submitted by customers who booked in the last 6 months.

The reviews and ratings in the rating box are based on all-time feedback and are the opinions of the customers who submitted them and do not express the opinions of Hostelworld.com. This way, you get an up to the minute opinion of just how good a hostel really is. Read our review guidelines »

We now classify our reviewers based on how well travelled they are.

  • Novice Nomad: 1-10 Reviews Added
  • Avid Traveller: 10-20 Reviews Added
  • Globetrotter : 20+ Reviews Added
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100%

awesome bunch of people, good vibe and not a bad bar up top with some sweet views, very helpful

  • Novice Nomad
  • 01 Apr 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Australia
  • Male, 25-30
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hi Karl Thanks for the review and also the bungy footage on our facebook page. Awesome! Dave

83%

The most helpful staff out of all of the hostels we stayed at along the Garden Route! Really helped by giving personal stories about things to do in a variety of the stops. Suggested great restaurants in Plett and really helped our trip start off on the right foot.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 21 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Female, 18-24
  • (5 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Jordan Thanks for the review and glad that we could be of help during your trip. Dave

80%

Nice place to stay.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 24 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Couple, 25-30
  • (5 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Tim Glad you enjoyed your stay with us. Please feel free to offer any suggestions on how we can improve our guests' experience while staying with us. Regards Dave Swart

93%

Good location. I booked the 4 bed dorm (very small and at the back of the building, seems to be offered as family room now) but changed to the 12 bed dorm as recommended by the receptionist. Helpful staff (a guy from the hostel went to the taxi and minibus stand with me to get cheap transport to the Bloukrans bridge). Nice bar and terrace, a bonfire outside - what else do you need? (Other travellers, but I met them there.)

  • Novice Nomad
  • 10 Jan 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Austria
  • Male, 25-30
  • (7 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Tobias Thank you for taking the time to do a review of your stay. I am glad to hear that the staff were helpful. Please let us know how we can improve on the security and facilities that you have rate as a 4 in your review. The room at the back is now the staff room for our Manager and is no longer offered as guest accommodation. Hope that you enjoyed your stay in Plettenberg Bay and the rest of South Africa. Regards Dave Swart

57%

It didn´t seem there is somebody responsible for the place. The kitchen looked like hell (when was that water-filter-system cleaned for the last time? Then better remove it) and there was very few equipment we could use for cooking. Cockroach in our bedroom, which was tiny (but for being so tiny it was well equipped).

  • Novice Nomad
  • 03 Jan 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Couple, 25-30
  • (4 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Alexander Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We did find that a temporary staff member was not carrying out duties correctly and in hindsight proper checks should have been done daily on her work. I am pleased to say that what you mention has already been addressed - the water filter was actually addressed on 5 January - again a duty not being completed. You will have noticed signs in the kitchen advising guests that it is their responsibility to clean their dishes/pots after they use them. Our night staff was not following up on this, hence the mess that the cleaner could only get to after ensuring the rooms were ready for incoming guests. This has also been rectified, including any empty beer bottles that may be left around after the bar closes. We have a contract with a company, Rentokil, who regularly inspect the premises for bugs - cockroaches, ants etc and they have always found the premises to be pest free when they do their inspections. I did draw their attention to your experience and have taken extra precautions with a barrier spray on all window and door frames to prevent a future occurrance. I trust that you nevertheless enjoyed your visit to Plettenberg Bay and South Africa. Regards Dave Swart

73%

The place is nothing too special, but the terrace view and its central location makes it a place I would recommend to stay.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 25 Dec 2012
  • Anonymous
  • Italy
  • Mixed Group, 25-30
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Chiara Thank you for your review which has highlighted a staff issue that I have noticed from another review that we received when the same staff member was on duty. The lady who was on duty the day you stayed with us was a casual who was helping us over the busy season and it appears that her standards and relationship with guests were not what they should have been. A lesson learnt from my side and something which will be monitored more closely in the future. I hope however that you had a pleasant time visiting Plettenberg Bay and our country. Hopefully we will see you again sometime in the future when we can make your stay with us a better experiencemore. Regards Dave Swart

27%

We arrived on time but our room was not finished yet, while we were there in the afternoon. The kitchen was very dirty, as well as the living room and the rooms were also in bad repair. The girl who was working at the reception did not know anything about Plettenberg and she was not very helpfull when we asked her what the best place was to go to the beach or for dinner. She did not seem to care about the guests. This was definitely the worst backpackers we've ever seen!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 16 Dec 2012
  • Anonymous
  • Netherlands
  • Female, 18-24
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello Lotte I am appalled to hear about you experience with us and wish that you had asked to speak to me (owner) at the time so that I could address this immediately. This is certainly not our usual standard which can be seen if you read any of the other guest reviews on Hostelworld or Tripadvisor and also can be seen from reviews in our guest book. The lady concerned was a casual working for us for December and left our employ on 28 December. This incident certainly seems out of character with the usual standard of work we experienced from her. I have forwarded your comments to her, but am sure that it will be of no concern to her as she has left us. Should you still be in SA and passing through Plett or should ever visit Plett again please contact me and I will offer you free accommodation during your stay. I have checked your booking and notice that you paid by credit card. I will look for the slip and refund your money to you as I do not believe that you should have to pay for this poor service and cleanliness that you experienced. Once again, please accept my apologies. Regards Dave Swart

90%

Charles and the rest of the staff was very helpful and the location is perfect and is close to the main shopping center in the city.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 13 Dec 2012
  • Anonymous
  • Bulgaria
  • Female, 25-30
  • (4 reviews)




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