Old Gaol Backpackers

This was the last hostel on our trip and by far the worst. I found S.A. hostels for the most part to be amazingly clean and friendly but this one was sketchy at best. Our room was converted from a jail cell replete with original and hostelers graffiti. A hole was drilled through the brick/cement wall to provide an outlet for electricity. The biggest downside was that the bolts were still attached to the jail cell door so it would have been extremely easy to lock them from the outside. The showers and bathrooms were essentially jail cells with the appropriate facilities installed. Bar seemed ok and the owner was really friendly, plus they get a lot of Rhodes students on the weekends. Grahamstown is not the safest place to be at night, however some of the old Victorian houses rock.

A fantastic place to stay. The small university town is full of character, as is the old gaol. It's run by friendly folk who are always willing to help out with information about your stay. We were allocated an old cell, complete with peeling wall paper and wall etchings. The bed was lovely and comfortable, with art on the wall, and plenty of lighting fixtures. There is a kitchen for guest use, and a bar which serves meals at an extra cost. The only downside ( slight) was the toilet/shower blocks. Although fully functional, the showers had no curtains or privacy. A bit dated, one might say! However, don't let this minor factor put you off. The place is very well-kept and clean. The atmosphere behind the old plated doors is strangely comfortable, and the cells have windows. Each cell has a file to tell you the history of the convict. It's lucky I found this on the last day, as our cell was home to a murderer!!