Hostel The Backpack, Cape Town
Expert reviews
“This Fair Trade in Tourism–accredited operation offers affordable style, a buzzing vibe and fantastic staff. Its dorms may not be Cape Town’s cheapest but they’re among its best, while the private rooms and self-catering apartments are charmingly decorated.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Nice breakfast
- Top location
- Free Wifi
All you need to know
Located on 74 New Church Street, the Backpack Hostel offers visitors in the city of Cape Town the very best of accommodation options in the best location and within stylish and elegant rooms. The hostel is the proud recipient of several hospitality awards and a Fair Trade accredited backpacker; both indications of the quality services offered by the hostel to its guests.
The hostel is an investor in people; helping them derive maximum satisfaction is the goal while keeping them comfortable throughout their stay in a friendly environment is how the hostel sets out on its goal. The hostel is perfectly located to some of the most famous attractions in the city of Cape Town; the fascinating V&A Waterfront is just a 5-minute walk away from the hostel while the popular Table Mountain is also located within a 5-minute walk distance of the hostel.
The hostel offers the very best in hospitality facilities, services, and amenities. Features such as free Wi-Fi, full air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV can be found in the hostel rooms. The hostel offers a wide range of room options such as private en-suites and social dormitories.
The hostel offers a breakfast buffet containing well-served meals from dining options that include bread, croissants, and jams. The hostel bar stays open until late every night ensuring that guests who enter late can still have a good time before going to bed on their comfy bed.
The hostel also offers facilities such as an outdoor pool, a garden, and luggage storage.
Hostel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Hotels.com. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hostel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
19 January 2024
One of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in
Felt very safe here! There was 24/7 security guards, and they were very nice, just like all the other staff at this hostel. The staff organised a transfer from the airport to hostel for me. This is definitely one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in! Easy to make friends; spacious dorm beds with privacy curtains; and in a good location, with a Woolworths within walking distance.
17 January 2024
You should go!
Nice place, nice vibe!
Nothing:)
17 January 2024
Great!
Breakfast very good, very clean rooms and the staff was very friendly
Noisy
13 January 2024
Delightful
Really nice staff Very easy to meet people as a solo traveller 6 bed dorm room was delightful and had a great nights sleep Lots of beautiful places to relax
Ants in the bathroom (an easy fix)
9 January 2024
Great staff and location
The staff was amazing. Huge shout out to Bianca! She is a ray of sunshine. Bruno was also another top performer
I thought there would be activities, like hiking, dinners.. but the volunteers basically only hang out with themselves
6 January 2024
Exceptional
Everything, from room ro bed to breakfast and friendly staff!!!
Nothing
5 January 2024
Loved it!
Great breakfast, lovely staff!
More activities during the day to bring travellers together
3 January 2024
amazing place to stay in Cape Town
the staff, the people who stay there, i made a lot of great friends. Also the breakfast it’s so good.
28 December 2023
Perfect
Excellent service and loved the breakfast
Everything was wonderful
25 December 2023
Zentral und trotzdem ruhig
Warm welcome, help with all questions, wonderful garden with many cosy seating areas.
25 December 2023
Would definitely stay here again
Great atmosphere, central location
We stayed in a room located next to the common area/bar so quite noisy in the evening, but noise would shut down at reasonable hour (around 22h-midnight)
24 December 2023
Very good
I liked everything and the vibe was awesome
The room they put us in smelled like pee. I didn't like that there was no TV and no fridge.
23 December 2023
Exceptional
I liked the atmosphere and that it was safe
There wasn't anything I didn't like
21 December 2023
Pleasant Stay Because of the Staff ❤️
I liked the scenery quite a lot as it had the view of Table Mountain. I also liked the assistance we got from the staff because the place wasn't really quite to our expectations but the staff made sure that they assisted us in whatever way possible and that we get to at least enjoy our stay there at Villa Viva.
I didn't like that they had pets at the place and they were no restrictions on where they could go cause those pets were even in spaces where we were eating. My family also didn't like one of the beds we got cause it was too high up and was a bit too much to deal with. My family also didn't like that the rooms weren't cleaned, the bedding wasn't changed and that there wasn't meat at breakfast 🤷♀️
19 December 2023
Good place to stay
Great location, giant private rooms really nice breakfast
The property is not soundproof at all so can hear everything from the common areas while in the rooms
18 December 2023
A NEW BOMBSHELL HAS JOINED THE VILLA
Very communal, plus the breakfast and the table mountain view is just gorge. The neighbourhood is a vibe, with supermarkets, restaurants and nightlife just under .5 miles away.
The load-shedding.
11 December 2023
Located in a Location for everything
Location was fantastic as were the staff and the breakfast
Stayed in ruth first, and the door didnt shut without a bang, another shower room would be a bonus
11 December 2023
Made me feel like home, comfy and welcoming - thank you! :)
Location, view, interior, space for relaxation outdoors - pool and yard, smart solutions in shared kitchen and provisions (e.g. earplugs), absolute cleanness, what’s app group for guests to share activities :) and security measures
I liked everything :)
5 December 2023
Lovely
My stay at Villa Viva was wonderful. The whatsapp group is an easy way to find people to take trips with and get useful information. The vibe is social but not a party hostel and there is plenty of room to also read a book by yourself as well. It provides many common areas inside and outside. The breakfast is one of the best breakfasts I have seen in a hostel. The staff is friendly and the hostel is nearby lots of nice restaurants, cafés and supermarkets. I had a private room which was basic but very nice and at night it is generally quiet.
Honestly, nothing. Real;y good hostel.
4 December 2023
Nice hostel with good breakfast
Very nice hostel with surprising good breakfast
1 December 2023
Loved staying here
The vibe of the place, staff & other travelers there. The cleanliness. The big outdoor & indoor space that is dedicated for tenants.
Tiny pool. Can get a bit loud in the early morning .
26 November 2023
amazing place, beautiful staff.. felt like home and more!
all!!!
nothing
22 November 2023
Fabulous
Breakfast was wonderful.
14 November 2023
10/10
I loved absolutely everything..
There is nothing i didnt like about my stay
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Activities
- - Tennis court (additional charge)
- - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
- - Fishing (additional charge)
- - Windsurfing (additional charge)
- - Canoeing (additional charge)
- - Hiking
- - Cycling
- - Bowling (additional charge)
- - Diving (additional charge)
- - Horse riding (additional charge)
- - Snorkelling (additional charge)
- - Yoga classes
- - Temporary art galleries
- - Movie nights
- - Walking tours
- - Bike tours (additional charge)
- - Themed dinner nights (additional charge)
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Tour or class about local culture (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
- - Vending machine (drinks)
- - Vending machine (snacks)
- - Airport shuttle (free)
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Reception services
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage (additional charge)
- - Concierge service
- - Lockers
- - Invoice provided
Kitchen
- - Shared kitchen
Cleaning services
- - Daily housekeeping
Entertainment and family services
- - Board games/puzzles
Pool and wellness
- - Pool with view
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming Pool
Transport
- - Airport pick up (additional charge)
- - Airport drop off (additional charge)
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key access
- - Security alarm
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
28 January 2024
Exceptional
Very good hostel, great breakfast(!!!) Nice staff, very clean and Amazing Facilities