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4.5
#14 of 35 hostels in Cape Town Central
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Urban Hive Backpackers is located in the heart of Cape Town, in the iconic blue and white striped Victorian building which stands proud at the top of vibrant Long Street. Watch life’s passing parade from the two panoramic balconies with our 180° street views whilst enjoying a drink with new friends. Our funky, custom-built dorms sleep 3, 6 and 9 people, with one reserved exclusively for women. We also have a variety of stylishly decorated twin, double and single rooms. Facilities include a fully equipped communal kitchen with free coffee and tea, a cozy back ally with hanging plants and lights and a living room with full DSTV, a pool room and a reception and travel desk that’s open 24/7. At night, join the party or take a quick ride to one of Cape Town’s many attractions. Long Street is packed with bars, ethnic restaurants, antique stores, bookstores and bohemian clothing shops – all of which offer a diversified culture that appeals to travellers from around the globe.
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
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, French, Portuguese
Location
208 Long Street, Cape Town Central 8001 South Africa
Urban Hive Backpackers
63 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
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.
What a cool place, really good atmosphere and warm hearted people ( especially the staff ) the staff engaged all my trips ( bungee jump, shark cage, garden rute, Wine tour, snorkling with seals, and paragliding ( Amazing ) and there were no problems, I can only recommend it. I am a big fan of the paintings that are made and i can spend hours looking at them. The location could hardly be better, short way to table mountain, waterfront, the mall and alot of restaurants and bars. I love South Africa 🤩
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Date of stay: December 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've stayed there a few nights, and return again & again; even contemplating a long stay. The place is clean; the communal kitchen & lounge area is inviting, the in-house pub & adjoining balcony is cosy and gives the feel of a private party, above the bustle of Long Street below. Communal bathrooms are OK, kept clean. I love the many nooks & turns & corners of the old house and the creaking wooden floors. But the guests are what make the place feel like a home away from home -- an eclectic mix of local & foreign visitors passing through the city. There's a feeling & atmosphere of being in a backpackers in a foreign city, somewhere abroad, making one feel as if one is on holiday, somewhere away from home. I love this place! It's become my accommodation of first choice, for a party night or two in the city.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Double rooms are the best (esp with balcony access).
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 Urban Hive for a month, and it felt like a home away from home. The staff is super friendly, nice and accommodating, and ensures everything to make the guests comfortable. It’s centrally located on Long Street, in a beautiful heritage building, and has many hangout places like bar, balcony, lounge. Close to many touristic places and especially to explore the nightlife of Cape Town. The rooms, bathrooms, kitchen are all well maintained and super clean. All in all a perfect experience and will definitely stay there whenever I visit again.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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.
Gangsters paradise Very old, crumbling structure. Management have gangster mentalities for imposing inhouse rules. Intimadatory tactics to short change paid up guest.
Other places fare far better.
#ThumbsDown
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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 booked this hostel for one night to sleep. Let me just say, we did not sleep. This hostel play LOUD (!!!!) music all night long which you can hear completely. NO Sound isolation. Worst thing i have ever tried.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip 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.
This is a wonderful hostel with helpful staff and a balcony overlooking Long Street. It has all the amenities I would need and, as of recently, has a lively bar as well. Thank you for a wonderful stay and for making this hostel feel like home.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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.
מאוד מומלץ לכל תייר מקום מדהים If you want to have fun in Cape Town In an amazing hostel and amazing location this is the place Great staff that will always help you Located in center city next door to all the bars and clubs, every Sunday they have a braai .
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Date of stay: June 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.
Response from Urban Hive B, Owner at Urban Hive Backpackers
Responded 20 Jul 2018
Hey Nisay, thank you for sharing this review with us! We are loking forward to welcome you back again in the near future! Best Regards Urban Hive Backpackers Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had just come off of a 10 day African camping safari and wanted to taste some of the urban life in Cape Town. We are an older couple (Late 40's early 50's) and many people said to stay away from Long Street because of the noise. It's on the same road as the restaurants and pubs. We loved it!!!! We could people watch from the balcony. It was three blocks from the hop on hop off bus. The restaurants and pubs around the hostel were great (Good food and ambiance) The hostel was super clean. We had wifi in our room and although there was no air conditioning the windows were huge and we had wonderful breezes through the room at night. We had a sink in our room and shared a bathroom with the floor that was never an issue. The hostel was super quiet and the staff were super helpful. If we ever come back to Cape Town this is the place we will stay again.....AND there is laundry services right around the corner
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Date of stay: January 2018
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Long Street has an interesting mix of people on the street but it was really fun and safe when we...
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 had book a 4 night stay at this hostel and it is locate at the heart of the happening place. This location is at the bar and the chill out spot. If you aiming for a party then this is the right place to stay and enjoy the party.
The staffs are very helpful in helping me to organise all my tour and it is value for money.
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Date of stay: December 2017Trip 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.
Response from Urban Hive B, Front Office Manager at Urban Hive Backpackers
Responded 03 Jan 2018
Hi Andy :) Thank you for the great review :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I highly recommend this hostel. The location is perfect, in the heart of the city. Facilities are new, the hostel is always very clean but the best of all is the vibe. The balcony outside makes easy to feel comfortable and to meet nice people. Totally worth it! I’ll be back for sure.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Dorms are perfectly fine for backpackers
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 Urban Hive B, Owner at Urban Hive Backpackers
Responded 20 Jul 2018
Than you so much for your kind review, we are hoping to see you in the near future again, and thanks for being a part of making us a shared home for all travelers from around the world! Best Regards Urban Hive Backpackers team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Cape Town Central area.
PRICE RANGE
R 488 - R 557 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Blue Mountain Backpackers
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeCape TownCape Town Central
NUMBER OF ROOMS
27
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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