Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge
14 Umgwezi Road, extension 1 Emmarentia, Randburg 2195 South Africa
Prices above are provided by partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and do not include all taxes and fees. Please see our partners for full details.
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Dining (6)
About
#8 of 56 Specialty lodging in Randburg
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
This well established backpackers, will give you the parties and rest that you need on your travels. We are within a safe 5 min walk from top Restaurants, Bar's and night clubs, and for those of you that like to explore, let our trained staff help you with all your tour needs! We have all of the facilities you would expect from a top quality backpackers including WiFi, swimming pool and pool table (where you can challenge our in-house champ, or meet your fellow guests over a game and beer)!! We are a self catering facility, but we can place an order for you if you wish to have a lazy night in, in front of the fire!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pool
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Outdoor pool
Shuttle bus service
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Room features
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Location
Full view
58Somewhat walkable
Grade: 58 out of 100
25Restaurantswithin 1 km
2Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
14 Umgwezi Road, extension 1 Emmarentia, Randburg 2195 South Africa
Getting there
Car HireSee all Randburg car hire
35Reviews0Q+A2Room tips
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Very residential area, away from almost everything you’ll be doing. Rooms are super clean and comfortable BUT I wouldn’t call it a hostel; it lacks the hostel atmosphere; it’s more like a inn. Good value for money and super safe. But again, if you are looking for a hostel vibe this place isn’t it. Remakes for Beauty who was absolutely fantastic to us and helped us in everything.
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Date of stay: March 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Helpful
We visited Johannesburg in August along with a group of friends. This place was really nice, a good location to be in and not crowded at all. The facilities offered was good and the best thing was the Wifi, which was quite fast and the people in the hostel were very friendly and it is very worth while visiting as a solo traveler as well.
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Date of stay: August 2016
Helpful
Stayed here a few times now with friends. Great location, clean and safe with a gate that locks (which can leave you stuck outside for a few minutes so be sure to keep their number handy for when you arrive just in case!). Price is good for what you need. Stayed in a room with 2 single beds and 1 room with bunk beds, both perfect for what we needed.
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
Helpful
Dorms are big with ensuit toilet. The staff is nice and is a well cleaned place. Well located in a safe area with walking distance to markets and restaurants. They offer many tours and transfers services,
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Date of stay: February 2016
Helpful
TravelerinMpumalanga wrote a review May 2015
Cape Town Central, South Africa2 contributions3 helpful votes
This was a fantastic backpackers! It is located in a beautiful and safe suburb within walking distance of a whole street of restaurants and bars. The accommodation was clean and tidy. The family rooms were lovely and the dorms were of excellent quality with lovely, clean, white linen. I would suggest maybe taking an extra blanket in winter though. The common area and garden was also very nice and kept tidy. The fact that there was a staff member on duty 24/7 was reassuring and helpful. There was more than enough kitchen space and there was enough kitchen utensils. The staff were also very friendly and accommodating. Lovely stay, especially for the price!
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Date of stay: April 2015Trip type: Travelled on business
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Benjamindrfranklin wrote a review Jan 2015
Tibberton, United Kingdom540 contributions262 helpful votes
I tend to try and save money when travelling on business and opt for backpackers/hostels - it also means lots more atmosphere and socialising at the end of the day! Price - excellent Single room - adequate/clean Bed - comfy/firm Staff - OUTSTANDING Location - pretty central Security - seemed pretty SAFE If I am ever in the area I will return - Highly recommended Enjoy
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled on business
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Go for a single!!
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Helpful
I had a really good time at this hostel! The place is in a good neighborhood and its close to bars and restaurants! It's not for party people, but its still pretty good! The staff is really helpful! They helped me with booking my tours and giving me directions. The place is also really clean! :)
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Date of stay: October 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
My friend and I stayed here twice. The hostel is in a good and safe area close by some restaurtants (we ate at Burgers.....something: which had really good burgers, not expensive and a cosy restaurant). When we were here, there was hardly anybody so it was very quite so we had the whole dorm for ourselves. The beds are perfect and clean white and fresh blankets. The bathroom is inside the dorm which is nice as well. No food so you have to bring your own.
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Date of stay: April 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
Helpful
We were only stopping through for an evening on our way from Mozambique to Namibia, but wish we could have stayed an extra night. We called ahead to let them know our bus was running late, and by the time we arrived the woman who checked us in was offering to call in a food delivery order for us while we got settled into our room. She walked with us and check for clean towels, etc. We were in a double en-suite which was great with a little porch/sliding door to the outside. The common area had a great fireplace which kept us warm while we were waiting on the food delivery and some of our friends who were stopping through. We had just recently stayed in Jo'berg for a week (in an upscale hotel in Sandton) and this place would have been just fine as well. It is certainly closer to the arts district and everyone we met was super friendly. Great Stay.…
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Date of stay: June 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
We'd heard this place was good so decided to book. The guy who checked us in was nice enough but there was no 'here's a map, this is where you are, nearest restaurants are here' etc. In Johannesburg especially, it's pretty important for people to quickly feel safe. Another guest who was travelling solo without a car looked completely lost there - we gave him more info than the hostel guy although the owner did sort him out the next day. A bigger issue was there was no wifi when the hostel is advertised as having wifi. He implied it had not been working for a while but read on and you'll see what happened. Our room was fine, very clean beds, decent bathroom (mouldy behind toilet but otherwise clean and very good shower) but our window had been smashed in one corner which housekeeping should pick up on so it's fixed asap. Kitchen was pretty dated too, the one outside was gross. We had booked for 4 nights but no advance payment so only stayed the one. We spoke with the owner on departure and she agreed we should have had a better check-in process. We asked about the wifi and from reading reviews, it seems it's been on and off for ages, not just a sudden problem but she said it was to do with recent weather (our current hostel has perfectly good wifi!). I said you should tell customers who book that if a facility you advertise isn't there, they should know about it. I said we'd paid full price for a room without having the facilities advertised. Her argument (crazy in my opinion) is that when you pay, you pay for the room - the wifi is free so it's not counted. I think that's RIDICULOUS. When you book an accommodation, you pay for the overall place i.e. a pool, wifi, breakfast or whatever is said to be included. With so much choice around, you do not just pay for the room - that would mean that any hotel, hostel or guesthouse can withdraw whatever facilities it advertises without telling guests and just say 'well, you're just paying for for the room, anything else we say we have is pot luck as to whether you get it cos it's free anyway!' A terrible approach to hospitality. We weren't bowled over by Gleneagles Road, the nearest strip of restaurants etc. Melville, Parkhurst, Kensington and I'm sure others are much nicer places to be based in. The good stuff: the bar area and terrace is really nice but there were barely any guests when we were there (just 2 others and a large private group) so unfair to base a night in on that. Owner was friendly and did apologise for some stuff when we spoke to her but obviously the wifi debate was the main thing. She knows the area really well and it does seem nice enough with the park, Emmerentia dam etc but we just didn't feel the vibe and the approach to not refunding us anything re the wifi (we had a lot of admin-y travel stuff to sort that first night and couldn't do any of it it!) was a bit unprofessional. According to owner's argument, next time I book a hotel, I'll should ask them if everything they say they have is working.... just nuts. I will always assume they have it (be it wifi, a pool, a spa, a rooftop bar) unless THEY tell me otherwise and that is the right way when you, as a customer, are making an informed choice based on their website info.…
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Date of stay: March 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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Location
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LOCATION
South AfricaGautengGreater JohannesburgRandburg
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Johannesburg Botanical Garden (1.0 km), The Linden Market (1.1 km), and Victory Park Shopping Center (1.1 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and free parking.
Is parking available at Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Duke's Burgers, Doppio Zero Greenside, and Momo Baohaus.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are there any historical sites close to Joburg Backpackers/Umgwezi Lodge?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct (6.0 km), Johannesburg Fort (6.3 km), and Nelson Mandela Foundation (5.2 km).