Eastgate Backpackers - Johannesburg, South Africa Reviews

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Eastgate Backpackers Details

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Location/Contact

Address	41 Hans Pirow Road, Johannesburg (Bruma), Gauteng, South Africa
Website	None (if you know the URL of their website, tell us and we'll add it)
Telephone	+27 11 616 2741
Fax	+27 11 615 1092

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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews

A bit odd but that's why we liked it Stella, the owner, found us at the airport and talked us into staying at Eastgate. She's a bit hyper but within an hour we were settled in, had booked a day trip to Soweto and a 4 day safari to Kruger. She seems to do all the work while Mike sits around on his lazy arse all day. Good work Stella! — Virginia , Australia (2009-10-27)

Mike and Stella constantly stoned or something. They run the place. The place is, yes, clean and comfortable, but them two aren't of that much help when it comes to pick-ups/shuttles. I felt like I was stuck there once I was there. I heard there are better backpackers in town. Soweto tour booked by Stella was great though! — Rafael (2006-12-26)

Eastgate is the worst hostel that I stayed at while on a 5 month stay in south africa. I will admit, the overall quality of hostels in that wonderful country is very high, but eastgate falls very short when held against its competitors. It is in a nice neighborhood, but beyond that it has little going for it. It is run by a couple named Mike and Stella. Stella clearly tries very hard to keep the place running, but still things are unorganized, inconvenient, and behind schedule. Pick ups at the bus station or airport are free, but a 25 minute wait quickly turns into an hour plus. the facilities are of average quality, with credit certainly due to housekeeper Beverly, who is a sweet woman who does her job well. More than once my travelmates or I narrowly caught a bus when our departure was delayed by Stella or Mike. Mike, other than driving occasionally, appears to do nothing but lay on the couch in the living room and play video games and chain smoke, making the TV impossible to use and the pool table/social area very unwelcoming. Each time I have been there (we went back several times before we became frustrated enough to pledge never to return) there have been only one or two other guests, but stella or mike always seem to claim that there was a large group that just checked out that morning. Even during peak travel season we were pretty much the only ones there. And, inconveniently, there is no pay phone on the property, the nearest one is a couple of blocks away which is far to travel at night. On my last stay, i chose to go to the airport four and a half hours before my flight rather than remain at the hostel; being there was neither fun nor relaxing. It wasn't hell, but there are definitely better places to stay in Jo'burg. Eastgate just isn't worth the frustration. — Veronique (2006-01-22)

This place is average because of its well-worn appearance, but it's still a good place just to hang and relax. It's an easy walk across a field to Eastgate mall, to catch up on movies and all things Western, or to the Bruma Market where you can load up on wood carvings and other such stuff that maybe you didn't get in other parts of your trek. Also, it's down the street from a handy pharmacy where they have a doctor on the premises for check-ups and prescriptions — and after a few weeks/months of backpacking, inevitably something health-wise comes up. Back at the hostel, the pool is a good spot to lounge on the grass and met other travelers. Of course you also have the obligatory pool table — those goes really well with a few beers (which they sell from the adjacent reception desk). If you're planning a journey, have a great and safe time! — Leigh (2005-02-25)