Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Great View
Budget
Languages Spoken
Russian
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Internet
Pool
Beach
Baggage storage
Currency exchange
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Family rooms
Location
17 The Promenade Glenashley, Durban 4051 South Africa
Durban Backpackers - On the Beach
39 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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.
Was very skeptical about this place, to our great surprise it was a beautiful place and very tranquil. We stayed over the Comrades 2018 weekend and we really enjoyed it as the place is near everything we wanted to do. I will recommend the family room. Only one negative is the TV channels. Thanks team
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Date of stay: June 2018
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:The rooms on front has best views of the Ocean
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.
Spontaneous we were booking a trip to Durban and then we found this wonderful place very close to the beach! It is affordable and very close to the beach. Michael is a very nice guy and he also helped us on planning daily trips. The breakfast was small but got everything we needed. There is a cute dog that will definitely welcome you! The rooms also have a very nice view to the ocean. When you decide to stay there it is worth to get up at 5 to watch the sunrise
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip 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 finished a tour in Durban and this was the recommended post tour accommodation so I booked it out of convenience. The staff were lovely, welcoming and helpful when ordering in food, booking taxis and recommending local activities. My room was large but there could have been an extra sheet on the bed rather than just the doona as I find this a little unhygienic. Unfortunately my room was directly beside the office/reception area and outside the kitchen so I was woken up early by a lot of noise. Amazing location on the beach and only a short trip into town.
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Date of stay: July 2017
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Ask for 1st floor as ground floor is very noisy in the morning
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.
Travelling from NZ we were unsure where to stay in Durban. We were told about this accomodation by a friend who lives in Johannesburg and stays here when in Durban. It was a perfect place for a few days by the beach. Very relaxing and easy. Close to airport and city. We stayed in the triple room with an ensuite. More of a B&B than back packers . We would highly recommend and we will be back.
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Date of stay: May 2018
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 just one night in the dormitory and was unfortunately robbed and had my life threatened at knife point in my bed at 5am. Whilst I don't blame the owner for there being thieves in the area his rude manner and lack of security are unacceptable.
The hostel clearly has poor security compared to all surrounding properties (rusty electric fence, damaged front gate, no burglar bars, and several windows that it is not possible to close!) and the thieves gained access via the balcony doors which I could not physically close as the handle was missing and doors were stiff. These were apparently left open as the fan in the room was broken. This is not acceptable security in an urban area such as Durban.
The owner was initially apologetic, but then very rude to the police and my room mate. He has subsequently sent me a very rude and upsetting email after I informed baz bus (backpacker bus I arrived on) of the incident. I hope that he improves security to avoid another incident such as this, where something worse than a robbery could occur.
Please, please check the security before staying here. Whilst the hostel cannot be held responsible for the high crime rate in the area, it should have adequate security to protect its guests.
The only positive comment I can make is that the room was clean and it is quite close to the airport.
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Date of stay: July 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Avoid the dormitory with the balcony doors (these were not secure when I stayed there)! Check...
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.
Response from mfib, General Manager at Durban Backpackers - On the Beach
Responded 06 Aug 2013
The security at Durban Backpackers is more than adequate. The property is surrounded by an eight foot wall/fence. There is a member of staff on the property 24 hours a day and he has a panic button to call armed security if required. Due to the unfortunate incident last week, we now employ a night watchman as well. All the exterior doors of the rooms are lockable; the sliding doors with nights latches and the wooden doors with barrel bolts. Our security is only as good as the people who implement it. By your own admission, you noticed the balcony door was open when we checked you in, this was the point of entry for the thieves that burgled you, What prevented you from locking it ? It is locakble with barrel bolts at the top and bottom. Your reasons for sleeping with the door open due to excessive heat are unfounded, we are in the middle of winter with night time temps of 12 C, and there are 2 stand alone fans in the room if required. You failed to secure your room on check in,( in a country like SA which has one of the highest crime rates in the world this is rather foolish). If you choose to ignore the security measures made available to you, we can hardly be held accountable. .
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I wanted a restful Holiday last December and decided to stay at the Durban Backpackers on the beach. I was not disappointed at all, it was right on the beach ( like the name ha!).. It was clean and nice for the price. I liked the quietness of it too. The staff were also very helpful.
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Date of stay: December 2015
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 place is the best backpackers in the whole of Durban. We explored all the backpackers listed in the Coast to Coast book and this was by far the most amazing. It has a beautiful view of the ocean; Mark, the owner is very friendly and helpful; the rooms are immaculate, and it is very quiet. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone travelling this way.
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Date of stay: February 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.
Stayed here twice, before and after visiting our friends in St. Lucia and were treated well. It is more like a B&B. The staff were very helpful and the breakfast was 'out of this world'. Very clean and quiet. We had a lovely view of the sea, fishermen, surfers, etc from our room on the top. We will definitely stay over here the next time we visit S.A. We were given a lift to another hostel in Berea Rd very early in the morning, by the owner, in order to catch the Bazbus to Jo'burg.
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Date of stay: July 2014
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Better view from front rooms upstairs. The bathroom in the room we stayed in downstairs was...
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.
Clean, affordable and the staff were helpful and friendly. We enjoyed staying here. And it helps that it was literally on the beach. We didn't have issues with security or noise or anything like that and we enjoyed the continental breakfast.
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Date of stay: August 2014
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Stayed one night after arriving at King Shaka Intl from long haul flight. "Elvis" who checked us in was very efficient and friendly. Room was basic but comfortable although I can appreciate it could be rather hot as only a small window for ventilation if you don't want to sleep with the shared balcony door open. Loved the large double bath and shower. Close to Airport, waking distance to restaurant and bars and literally 10m from the beach! Pool was nice and clean too.
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Date of stay: May 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Durban area.
PRICE RANGE
R 819 - R 1,202 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalDurban
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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