X
NOTE: 9 or more guests qualifies as a group booking, change the number of guests to return to normal search.

The Backpack Reviews

74 New Church Street, Cape Town, South Africa

Reviews & Ratings Explained

92%Overall Rating

From 173 ratings
  • 92%Character
  • 94%Security
  • 92%Location
  • 91%Staff
  • 92%Atmosphere
  • 92%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
  • Show Translated Reviews In A Specific Language
  • Sort reviews by:


97%

any time again, you guys were wonderfull thanks a lot

  • Novice Nomad
  • 25 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Male, 31-40
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
You are always welcome and we love it when our guests have a good time - means we did our job well. Thank you The Backpack Team

93%

I appreciated attempts to correct it, but the ant problem was really unacceptable. Also, my linens smelled off, as did my laundry when it came out of the dryer. I don't really think it was cleaned at all. On all other fronts it was an incredible stay.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 25 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Female, 18-24
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
We have had a lot of ants this season - it usually means we are in for a earlier winter. Our linen is done by a professional company off site. All linen is checked by our Housekeeper on its return and should never have smelt off. We are so sorry that you did not bring this to our attention whilst you were here. We will however have a look at our dryer thank you for pointing this out to us. We are happy that in spite of the above you did enjoy staying with us! Thank you for your feedback we really appreciate it. Kind regards The Backpack Team

100%

The staff was more helpful than we had expected! And we really could rely on their recommendations of good tours around the cape. We learned so much in a very short time, especially the township tour with the guide for it was beyond what we could imagine before visiting Cape Town. We very much felt at home at the Backpack, in our sms to each other we referred to The Backpack as "now we are going home!"

  • Novice Nomad
  • 24 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Sweden
  • Female, 41+
  • (1 review)


67%

Learn the meaning of "customer service" before starting such a business. Train your workers before hiring them. Do not think to be the best just because people keep choosing you more than others. Probably your competition is just a disaster. This is why you succeed. Rude attitude, rude management. it seems they only think about money. Over priced, Over rated. Any where else in the world they would be under the average.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 15 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Italy
  • Male, 31-40
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
We can see by your comments that you did not enjoy your stay with us and we are so sorry you had a bad experience. We do believe in constructive criticism and would be glad to address any problems you may have encountered. Kind regards The Backpack Team

100%

Amazing experience!!! All of the staff were super friendly from the Reception staff to the cleaning staff. All of the facilities were well maintained and I especially liked the pool--- very refreshing.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 11 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Female, 31-40
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thanks so much we love out work we get to meet the coolest people - how lucky can we be!!! Hope you will be back soon Kind regards The Backpack Team

100%

Super friendly and helpful staff, great location :)

  • Novice Nomad
  • 11 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Mixed Group, 18-24
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
:) Thanks your review really put an extra smile on our dial!!! Kind regards The Backpack Team

93%

Had a great time! Thank you very much!!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 08 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Brazil
  • Female, 18-24
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thank you - it's our guests who make this place rock! Kind regards The Backpack Team

100%

Excellent stay, staff very accomodating. Lovely personal touches, swimmimg towels at the pool,games, use of local talent to decorate all the spaces.

Owner Comment (Show)
Thanks Sue we are getting there. So happy you noticed the new art work - we are still busy with it but watch this space......... Kind regards The Backpack Team

90%

Apart from the unfortunate incident of having a bag stolen from a room, the entire experience was fantastic!!! Rooms, facilities etc was all very good and value for money.


100%

One of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. The staff were more than helpful and the atmosphere was great.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 07 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 25-30
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Yipeeeeeeeeeee thanks for this great review - we love our job and who can blame us as we get to meet the coolest people on the planet. till next time The Backpack Team

80%

A bit too expensive, but very nice.

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


77%

Good staff, clean rooms

  • Novice Nomad
  • 26 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Sweden
  • Male, 31-40
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thanks Carl we like our colleagues too and think they are a great bunch of people and our cleaners are ever so proud that their hard work is appreciated. Kind regards The Backpack Team

100%

I've been in 30 hostels in the last 5 months and this is the best hostel I've ever stayed at!!! Enough said.


97%

Great hostel, very good location, close to Long st and lots of other facilities, e.g. Supermarket, car rental very close by. Nice ensuite rooms, with new tea/hot chocolate sachets added daily -very nice touch! Pretty pricey though, but as it's more a mini guesthouse than a hostel this is to be expected

  • Novice Nomad
  • 25 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Ireland
  • Couple, 31-40
  • (2 reviews)


93%

Some staff members were more friendly than others but I really enjoyed the hostel overall. Will go there again.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 24 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 25-30
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
ok, so some of us are friendlier than others that's normal as long as everyone was friendly!!!! and no one was rude or didn't do their job properly that is not good! so we hope to see you again kind regards the backpack team

90%

A bit expensive for a backpacker, but they give a lot back to the community and it is well worth the money.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 24 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Couple, 41+
  • (3 reviews)


100%

V well organised and friendly . I would stay here again

  • Novice Nomad
  • 23 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Male, 41+
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
thanks so much - saying you would stay again says it all for us and we appreciate that so see you soon Kind regards The Backpack Team

90%

A really nice backpack facility! Just one thing: a printer for the public computers would be great and apreciated by a lot of guests :-)

  • Novice Nomad
  • 19 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Liechtenstein
  • Female, 31-40
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hi Simone thanks for your feedback. Perhaps there is a bit of a communication lag so we will have to address this at our next staff meeting as you are welcome to print to our printer and we do, do a lot of printing for our guests. Kind regards The Backpack Team

87%

Well run operation with enjoyable atmosphere, if only a bit impersonal. The professional staff answered all my questions, but I felt their advise to be rather generic. Price wise a bit on the expensive side.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 18 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Belgium
  • Male, 31-40
  • (3 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
So sorry that you felt we were impersonal as we really do try to make everyone feel special. Happy though that you love the atmosphere and feel that we are doing a good job. We hope you will be back Kind regards The Backpack Team

97%

great place to stay

  • Novice Nomad
  • 17 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Female, 25-30
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thanks we are so happy you loved our place! kind regards The Backpack Team

(82 results)


← Back to search results

Please give us your feedback