The Hostelz.com Review
The owner of the Gibela Backpackers Lodge hostel gives the guest an orientation of the area on arrival. There are no tours run out of this hostel, but the owner has good advice on where to go and what to see, making this more a hostel for travellers who like to get around and sightsee independently.
This hostel is in a safe area, close to Florida Road with all the bars and cafes there. There is a Spar supermarket less than five minutes' walk along the same road. It is approximately a thirty minute walk into Durban city, and around twenty minutes' walk to the Botanical Gardens. It is also only a few minutes' walk from the minibus stop which goes into town, or uphill to the Musgrave shopping centre. It has secure off road parking behind a wall which separates the grounds from the road. It is also a Baz Bus stop.
There are dorms and private rooms. In the dorms are new bunk beds with fresh clean linen and warm duvets. The general feel of the place is new and clean, with even the floor tiles being clean and unbroken. The shower room is modern with three sinks and three showers which do not clog and have clean shower trays. This is a unisex shower room, but there is a lock on the door. There is a separate WC next to it and a further WC and sink on the other side of the building.
There is a relaxed open plan lounge and diner between the rooms, although no TV. Down a side corridor is a small room for internet access and a book exchange. By the main door at the back is a small kitchen which is well equipped. Outside is a large covered living area with tables and chairs which is well done with fairy lights and wall hangings. It is outside where the free breakfast is set up, which consists of a wide selection of cereal, toast and fruit.
This hostel is laid back, very clean and well run in a fantastic position. It is not a party hostel and has no bar, but it is close to the bars, cafes and restaurants of Florida Road. The owner does not have the facilities to do pick-ups but is helpful in advising how to get around and where to go. It has a quiet atmosphere and is a great place to stay.
This hostel is in a safe area, close to Florida Road with all the bars and cafes there. There is a Spar supermarket less than five minutes' walk along the same road. It is approximately a thirty minute walk into Durban city, and around twenty minutes' walk to the Botanical Gardens. It is also only a few minutes' walk from the minibus stop which goes into town, or uphill to the Musgrave shopping centre. It has secure off road parking behind a wall which separates the grounds from the road. It is also a Baz Bus stop.
There are dorms and private rooms. In the dorms are new bunk beds with fresh clean linen and warm duvets. The general feel of the place is new and clean, with even the floor tiles being clean and unbroken. The shower room is modern with three sinks and three showers which do not clog and have clean shower trays. This is a unisex shower room, but there is a lock on the door. There is a separate WC next to it and a further WC and sink on the other side of the building.
There is a relaxed open plan lounge and diner between the rooms, although no TV. Down a side corridor is a small room for internet access and a book exchange. By the main door at the back is a small kitchen which is well equipped. Outside is a large covered living area with tables and chairs which is well done with fairy lights and wall hangings. It is outside where the free breakfast is set up, which consists of a wide selection of cereal, toast and fruit.
This hostel is laid back, very clean and well run in a fantastic position. It is not a party hostel and has no bar, but it is close to the bars, cafes and restaurants of Florida Road. The owner does not have the facilities to do pick-ups but is helpful in advising how to get around and where to go. It has a quiet atmosphere and is a great place to stay.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2007
Their Description
Gibela Backpackers Lodge - Durban Hostel Details
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What a good choice! Actually one of the best hostels in South Africa. Tasteful decoration, impeccably clean, really safe, and helpful staff. Even if it was maybe too tranquil. The price include the breakfast so what else can you ask for? — Mar , Spanish (2009-07-06) A great place to stay I've been traveling the world off and on for a great many years. I can honestly say this is one of the best places i've ever stayed, in any country. It was like staying in a comfortable, clean home, with all the facilities you'd expect being in top condition. Has a good kitchen and the included breakfast has lots of variety to choose from. Good restaurants and bars are very close. The owner was exceptionally helpful too. — Rose , New Zealand (2008-04-24) Excellent! Totally recommended. Very good location. Clean, friendly and comfortable hostel. Nice and flashy decoration. We strongly advise this place. — Jordi Muntaner , Spanish (2007-11-12) Not more to say! — Klaus Kopka , German (2007-11-12) Very good I had the pleasure to stop at the Gibela Backpackers Lodge during my solo backpacking trip to South Africa, and I have to admit it was one of the best places I stayed at. Clean, quiet, friendly, and perfectly located to grab a bite or catch a bus. I have already recommended it! — Sandrine , Canada (2007-11-11) Good management. clean and tidy-up, good facilities in kitchen and room,
more choice of breakfast, and helping hand in case of need. — Mei Ying Wong , Canadian (2007-07-11) What a clean, spacious, and neat place! We were so happy to get all the helpful information where to go shopping, where to have dinner, where to have a drink, and where to stop over next down the coast. Dankeschoen, Elmar! — Kathryn & Toby (2007-02-21) Best Hostel in South Africa, hands down. This place is clean, hip, and tastefully decorated. There are enough bathrooms (and they are clean!) so that you never have to wait! I spent three nights here. The hostel was so comfortable/beautiful that I preferred to be inside the hostel than outside in Durban. Weird, I know! — Jodi (2007-02-20) The stay was perfect for us! The lodge is peaceful, clean, and decorated beautifully. You meet african people on holiday as well as tourist from all over the world. Mister Elmar helps you with all the funny questions you might have coming for the first time to africa. We started and ended our stay in South Africa at Elmars lodge. We couldn't have found a better place for that. — Hanna and Lea (2007-02-20) Awesome place. really comfortable beds, warm showers. It was really quiet when we were there. Very secure. Kinda far from the beach though. Really good comp. breakfast. yummy. The best of our entire trip. — Angela (2007-01-20) It's the best hostel I've ever been. It's well located, very quiet, clean, and well decorated. It's owner, Elmar, makes you fell like at home. He also takes the necessary time to explain you what to do in Durban in details. Don't miss the breakfast at the patio, it's great! So go to Gibela, don't book another! — Fernando, from Argentina (2007-01-18) Beautiful backpackers. the atmosphere is welcoming and by far the best showers I saw in all of South Africa. Elmer is extremely informative, and made our stay the best it could be. All in all, a great place to stay. — meg (2007-01-18) I work for a large hotel chain, so I like to try out guest houses. Gibela was fine surprise. Clean and friendly. Morning side neighborhood is clean and safe and has a lot to offer, such as restaurants and cafes. I walked to the Botanical gardens (ten minutes) and even strolled all the way to the beach (took me twenty-five minutes). Certainly recommended. — Daniel (2007-01-18) I stayed here in October 2006 and it really was top notch. Spotless and modern, I'd recommend this hostel to anyone. Elmar is a top guy -- tipped me off to a bar with a 15 rand cocktail promo (Bean Bag Bohemia) and where to watch the Scotland v. Ukraine game. I ended up that night in a bar with Elmar (who was drinking tea) and doing karaoke with his friends. Great way to end my stay in South Africa -- and he even made sure I was up for the airport taxi a couple of hours later! — Geebsie (2006-11-18) In my thirty years of traveling, this is the best! Clean, friendly, extremely helpful with travel information and arrangements, Gibela's can't be beat! Elmar, the manager, creates a welcome home away from home. Highly recommended if you want a peaceful and fun place to learn about South Africa and to create new friendships! — emily (2006-08-20)