Big Blue Backpackers

Big Blue Backpackers used to be a hotel. Although the exterior makes it suit a hostel more, the interior is certainly higher end than most hostels, and it has even kept the hotel feature of laying out tea cups and saucers on the side of the dining area, with tea and coffee facilities. It is in a safe area and also has a locked gate and CCTV.

The Big Blue Hostel is in a residential area just off the main road which goes from the city to the beaches, with cafes and laundrettes nearby. It is at the top of the road leading down to the waterfront and so is an excellent location, as it is only a 10-15 minute walk to the safe touristy waterfront, and 15-20 minutes' walk to the city. There are also minibus taxis running from the town centre along this main road which are cheap and will drop you off at the bottom of the road the hostel is on, just a one minute walk uphill. The downside is that there is no car park - people have to park on the road outside like many of the local residents do, but the reception is 24 hours with several cameras, including one watching cars on the street.

There are options for dorms and private rooms. The dorms are in large, light rooms with new wooden bunks and comfortable bedding, sleeping eight people. There is a unisex shower room upstairs which has four individual cubicles - two with a shower and sink, and two with a WC and sink. They are clean and there is plenty of hot water and the showers do not block, but they are a bit tired looking and the shower cubicles are small, making it difficult to open the door without standing in the shower.

On entering the building, there is a reception and travel centre to the left with a computer room opposite - this has three computers with free internet access, open 8am-10pm. Next to here is a bar which can only stay open till 10pm because of the residential neighbours, but for those wanting to party all night, there is someone on reception 24 hours, so it is possible to take the short taxi ride back from Long Street at any time. On the other side of the ground floor is an open plan dining area, made up of individual small tables with tablecloths and flowers. There is a pool table here, and off this is the TV room with sofas, and where the hostel hire DVDs every night to play every evening. At the back of the dining room is a good sized kitchen with all amenities required. The entrance hall and staircase (with toilets and further shower rooms for the ground floor dorm underneath) is grand, as are the upstairs corridors with polished wooden floors and hanging lights. Outside is a small patio and swimming pool, which is off the bar. The general feel is very friendly, vibey and sociable.

This is a great hostel in a good location. The only things lacking is it not having a carpark and they do not wash clothes. However, they make the best of it by having 24 hour reception and CCTV watching the road, and there are launderettes five minutes' walk away. The free internet access, friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and manager, nightly films, and the general cleanliness and upkeep of this hostel definitely make this one of the best in Cape Town.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review