Observatory Backpackers
Observatory Backpackers
235 Lower Main Road, Observatory 7925 South Africa
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About
#5 of 8 hostels in Observatory
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The newest backpacker hostel in trendy Observatory, Cape Town! We offer a comfortable stay in an amazing, clean, and secure backpacker with a great atmosphere. We’re right on the doorstep of all the bars, restaurants, theater, and nightlife that make Obs a great place to stay. An up to the minute travel desk, makes Observatory Backpackers a great place to base yourself while exploring Cape Town.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Airport transportation
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Wifi
Shuttle bus service
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Private check-in / check-out
Room features
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
235 Lower Main Road, Observatory 7925 South Africa
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 72 out of 100
72
Cape Town Intl Airport
12.9 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
32 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 35
- 18
- 7
- 4
- 2
Time of year
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Detailed Reviews
I was there last september and liked the structure with kitchen, clean bedrooms and toilets. The staff was very helpful and it's near to restaurants, bars and supermarkets. The bus stop is a little bit far, but the area is very cool.
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Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Try to keep the bedroom with view to the main street.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just wanna thank shaun(owner) ,lee-ann(manager) there team alice, porsha , papy, eve for always going over and beyond. Super helpfull, and attentive.
Must say everything is always so tidy and clean bathrooms with fresh towls.. the moment we wake up either lee or alice has a fresh pot of coffee brewing and hearty breakfast ready for there guests ive been to many backpackers but observatory backpacker is by far my fav .. If u planning a trip to cape town and looking for affordable accomadation ... plan ure trip around ob's backpackers..home away from home.......
Must say everything is always so tidy and clean bathrooms with fresh towls.. the moment we wake up either lee or alice has a fresh pot of coffee brewing and hearty breakfast ready for there guests ive been to many backpackers but observatory backpacker is by far my fav .. If u planning a trip to cape town and looking for affordable accomadation ... plan ure trip around ob's backpackers..home away from home.......
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This one of the best ever! After i struggled and struggled to find a place for me and my kids, * phew * finally got this beautiful and amazing place to stay in. My kids and i loved this place so much. We so much wished they accommodated us for all the days we wanted to stay, unfortunately they were fully booked.
Amazing staff always willing to assist. Rooms very clean. Kitchen utensils in good condition. Lovely environment. Easy access to go around CPT.
Amazing staff always willing to assist. Rooms very clean. Kitchen utensils in good condition. Lovely environment. Easy access to go around CPT.
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Date of stay: December 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had to scream and shout at the gate for attention. It then took ages to check in with a taciturn non-communicative reception. The room was filthy, the toilet disgusting and covered in stains and hair. The shower stall was dirty and full of litter. We had the ‘exec’ room with a balcony, but it was a broken glass and dodgy couch nightmare out there. The door to our room had clear signs of having been broken into. Stay away.
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at the Obs Backpackers two weeks and eventually I had to leave before the end of my booking period. I am not familiar with other backpackers in Cape Town but I frequently stay in hostels in Europe. This place was just too noisy all the time and I never managed to rest properly. Sometimes noise came from the reception (receptionist watching youtube videos loudly), sometimes from people working there in the morning, and most of the time from other backpackers yelling, slamming doors, etc.. at 2am, 3am. I know it is not entirely the owner's fault, but people working there don't even warn other guests that it is 2 in the morning on a weekday and other guests are resting. They are just there to open the door (sometimes not even that) and work undeterred when it comes to the noise. The fact that common areas are open (there are no doors in the kitchen or living room) makes easy to hear any noise from coming from common areas. Since you pay on arrival, I asked to have my money back after the 1st week so I could change to a place where I could finally rest properly, and they refused, even though my organization is a good customer which has booked rooms with them on many occasions. Location is not bad with restaurants, supermarket, etc... nearby and a taxi to the city centre is just R60. Nevertheless, the area is a bit dodgy during the night. Common areas are overall clean and room is cleaned only once a week.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: I heard that room 10 is the one more isolated from noise. Mine was room 3, not recommended at all.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First it was problems with the booking. I made an online booking and paid (after reservation was confirmed) only to show up and be told by the host that they could not offer me a place at such a low price. Had to pay extra. For the 7 nights I stayed I learnt that backpackers don't clean your room until you leave. Now I know. Anything else was great. The location, continental breakfast, wifi and that's it
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Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First of all, place is very clean and the staff is helpfull. But that is about to be it.. we stayed here for two nights but didn't have any rest at all. During the night you hear the wind moving the walls, the rooms are really hot and the worst thing is all the noise from other backpackers. Not that it is a party-backpackers but the slamming doors, noisy hallways and wooden floors make it that you can only sleep between 02:00-07:00.. besides that offers the backpackers not much entertainment (no pool, pooltable or whatever). I won't be back. But definately in Obs, lovely hood! Great vibe and burgers.
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Overall great place to stay for a few days or a few months. Convenient location, safe and comfortable, clean, helpful and friendly staff, good kitchen and tv/couch areas, good sleeping quarters, laundry in the hostel. This was a fantastic base of operations, where I could feel like I truly had a home away from home, with staff that made a point of getting to know me and put me at ease. Highly recommend to all travelers.
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Date of stay: June 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hostel is located in Observatory very close to a train stain for getting around. Good nightlife in the area, but not close to Long Street if you are looking to be downtown. Helpful staff and decent dorms at best. The dorms are close to the road and you will hear traffic and people in the evenings. Free wifi and open kitchen, also close to a supermarket. Would check out hostels downtown next time.
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Date of stay: May 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Try and get a room away from the front of the building if possible.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very comfortable, hospitable place! We stayed in a double room, en suite. The room had a large window for natural light, a closet and a table for a desk and our stuff. The whole place was squeaky clean, kept that way by a diligent, motherly lady and her partners. The garden was large with plenty of seating and greenery. The lounge had a large flat screen TV and comfortable couches. The kitchen was well equipped and large enough for several people to fix food at once. A long table offered plenty of space for guests to eat. Cafes, bars, a food market and the railway station are just a few blocks away. It's a 10-15 minute ride on the Metro Train to the CBD. We could live here!
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Date of stay: May 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilly-Billy18 wrote a tip Apr 2018
Washington DC, District of Columbia16 contributions3 helpful votes"Upstairs Bunk Room has a balcony Upstairs Bunk Room's door does not lock"Read full review
"rooms in the back have better view of the mountain but rooms in the front have a porch"Read full review
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeCape TownObservatory
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingOBSERVATORY BACKPACKERS - Hostel Reviews (South Africa)
Frequently Asked Questions about Observatory Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Observatory Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include 2handsy Experience (0.4 km), Observatory Liquor (0.5 km), and Shaft cruise zone (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Observatory Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and airport transportation.
What food & drink options are available at Observatory Backpackers?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Observatory Backpackers?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Observatory Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include Reverie Social Table, 1890 House Sushi, and Ferdinando's Pizza.
Does Observatory Backpackers have airport transportation?
Yes, Observatory Backpackers offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Observatory Backpackers located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.5 km away from the centre of Observatory.
Are there any historical sites close to Observatory Backpackers?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Iziko Slave Lodge (4.5 km), City Hall (4.4 km), and Iziko Bo Kaap Museum (5.0 km).