SugarShack is a laid-back hostel at the Beach front of East London. With a hammock and sofa on the top balcony, it is an ideal place to get yourself a beverage and chill the day away. Alternatively, you'll always find someone that will be up for playing a game at the free pool table. And for the more adventurous types, SugarShack can arrange a variety of activities.
The Location
SugarShack is located on the beachfront, just a hundred meters from the main bus and coach stop, and there's shops and banks just around the corner. They also offer a free pick up from town. It has to be said, though, that the beach in front of the hostel is not the most attractive one. The beach is nice, but being so close to the road, you feel watched. If you like parading in a minuscule bikini, you may not entirely feel at ease. But a bit further is Nahoon Beach -- a stunning place suitable for all sorts of beach fun, and with dunes for sandboarding that even hold a ramp!
Rooms and Bathrooms
The comfortable wooden shacks that house your beds range from dorms to privates. They are rather small, but clean and cosy. The dorms hold space for approximately four guests in bunk beds and have a small chest of drawers. They don't have individual lockers, but you can hand in your valuables at the reception to be kept in a safe. The doors of the dorms don't lock.
The shower building holds two washing basins and four individual shower cabins with hooks. You can put your washing products on the windowsill. There's also a bit of space between the shower and your door, so you have some dry floor space when you get out of the shower and want to get dressed. There are two toilets in the courtyard, and a third one in the shower building. Everything is very clean and there's always hot water.
Common Spaces
Upstairs is the common area that holds a kitchen with a seating area and TV. In front of the kitchen is a wooden picnic bench where you can enjoy your food in the sun while watching over East London beach. Coffee and tea is free to use. Downstairs is a bar and a free pool table. The computer with fast ADSL internet is located in the reception. There is no locked luggage room.
Summary
SugarShack is a very open, friendly, and chilled place to hang out. It's easy to meet people and there's pubs and restaurants near by. In spite of having a vibrant bar, it's not really a party hostel and you will be sure to get your sleep.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2009
Location/Contact
4.9 Average from 9 Ratings
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.