The Hostelz.com Review
The brother and sister team of Abi and Charlie will welcome you to The Riverhouse Backpackers. This wonderful hostel is right in the centre of Cardiff, and has many facilities to make your stay comfortable.
The Location
The location is perfect for exploring Cardiff -- on a quiet street, right across the river from Millennium Stadium, and only a five-minute walk from Cardiff Castle. There is easy access to the bus and train station (ten-minute walk) and also to the Megabus stop (fifteen minutes). The baycar is available near Cardiff Castle if you want to explore Cardiff Bay. All of the main nightlife is only a short walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The four- and six-bed dorms are new and in excellent condition. Twin privates are also available. Lockers are provided in each room, and reading lights and locks are available for a small deposit. There are a lot of stairs to climb, including to get to the bathrooms. The bathrooms are very clean, with some having a sink, toilet, and shower. There are separate showers on the lower floors as well. The shower is very good, and some have a ledge for keeping items, and all include hooks and a small area to change.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a new, clean, and fully-equipped kitchen (including laundry machines). There is an adjacent eating area with chairs and tables and a small TV. Breakfast is served in the morning, and consists of breads, cereals, juices, tea, and coffee. There is also a TV room with a larger TV, which has an internet computer offering access (for a fee) and also books. Free Wi-Fi is available. There is also an outdoor garden in the back where people can drink and smoke. The hostel has mostly younger guests but also a few older ones. Many of the guests are a bit quieter, so at times it can feel a bit dead for atmosphere.
Summary
The hostel lives up to its reputation as being the best place to stay in Cardiff. It's nice, comfy, and clean -- and the owners care quite a bit about keeping the hostel at a high standard. The hostel is also kept quite secure, with CCTV cameras in the main common areas and at the door. It's the perfect hostel for all types of travelers.
The Location
The location is perfect for exploring Cardiff -- on a quiet street, right across the river from Millennium Stadium, and only a five-minute walk from Cardiff Castle. There is easy access to the bus and train station (ten-minute walk) and also to the Megabus stop (fifteen minutes). The baycar is available near Cardiff Castle if you want to explore Cardiff Bay. All of the main nightlife is only a short walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The four- and six-bed dorms are new and in excellent condition. Twin privates are also available. Lockers are provided in each room, and reading lights and locks are available for a small deposit. There are a lot of stairs to climb, including to get to the bathrooms. The bathrooms are very clean, with some having a sink, toilet, and shower. There are separate showers on the lower floors as well. The shower is very good, and some have a ledge for keeping items, and all include hooks and a small area to change.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a new, clean, and fully-equipped kitchen (including laundry machines). There is an adjacent eating area with chairs and tables and a small TV. Breakfast is served in the morning, and consists of breads, cereals, juices, tea, and coffee. There is also a TV room with a larger TV, which has an internet computer offering access (for a fee) and also books. Free Wi-Fi is available. There is also an outdoor garden in the back where people can drink and smoke. The hostel has mostly younger guests but also a few older ones. Many of the guests are a bit quieter, so at times it can feel a bit dead for atmosphere.
Summary
The hostel lives up to its reputation as being the best place to stay in Cardiff. It's nice, comfy, and clean -- and the owners care quite a bit about keeping the hostel at a high standard. The hostel is also kept quite secure, with CCTV cameras in the main common areas and at the door. It's the perfect hostel for all types of travelers.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2009
Their Description
The Riverhouse Backpackers Details
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The Riverhouse Backpackers Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
No customer service, rude staff, reception is NOT 24 hours as stated After a nightmare trip to get to Cardiff, I arrived at this hostel at about 3am. After buzzing a few times with no answer I resigned myself to the fact I was probably going to have to sleep in the doorway. But finally, on my one-last-try a sleepy voice answered rather rudely "Yes what is it?" I stated that I was after a bed for one for the night and, in a high pitched and accusatory tone, she said that she already told me no when I was here a few hours before (??). I said, puzzledly, no I've never been here before but she said that they were full and told me to leave. This is despite the fact I had actually stopped on the way over to check online that the reception was 24hours and that there was still availability (on the internet it said there was over 20 dorm beds still free). I stood there a little shocked and she stated over the intercom again that I had to leave immediately. I asked if she could tell me where another hostel was and she told me again to leave. Thankfully there is a hostel almost next door who was more than happy to take my business. Chatting to my roommates in the morning I mentioned what had happened at the Riverhouse and they said they had the exact same experience a few nights before, but they arrived at midnight. — es , australia (2011-02-01) Clean and well-run with gracious hosts, one heck of a breakfast! I've stayed in dozens of hostels and rarely do I find a gem. Most of the time I'm content with the trustworthy but slightly boring HI/YHA brands but every once in a while I'll go afield based on recommendations. Riverhouse is an example of this. The reviews were beaming, the location was much better than YHA for a tourist on foot with a BritRail pass, and there was a promise of free wifi. Suffice to say that after my stay there wasn't a positive metric that they didn't excel at. I was there for five nights and when it came time to leave, I hesitated. Very, very rarely does this happen. I was very pleased with my experience and can heartily endorse this hostel. If I return to Cardiff then I have no doubt where I'll stay. Recommended! — Travis Good , USA (2010-08-17) Nicest homey atmosphere! This is definitely one of the nicest hostel I've been to! Great family staff, always ready to give you tips, to help you out, or just to share a nice cup of tea. The hostel is spotlessly clean, very modern, and comfortable. Breakfast is fabulous, facilities and showers are perfect. It is close to the center and to anything in Cardiff. What more can I say? You just feel like staying there as long as you can! — Mélanie , French (2008-06-17) Hospitable, home-away-from-home atmosphere. Spent a total of five nights at the Riverhouse, treated to the lovely hospitality of both Abi and Charlie. Native to the area, they were excellent at giving directions and little hints and tips. The area was out of the way enough to be quiet, but still convenient to everything, about a five minute walk from the bus/train station(s), ten to fifteen minutes to Cardiff Castle, and within throwing distance of the Millennium Stadium. A fifteen- to twenty-minute walk got us to great shopping on Queen Street, and thirty-five minutes spent hoofing it got us to Cardiff Bay/Mermaid Quay (though I'd recommend a bus for £1.20). It was also a few minutes' walk away from the market on Sundays, with a variety of vendors selling produce, pastries, tea, and food. The rooms were clean and neat, the bathrooms were clean and private, and I never had to wait in line to access one of them. Kitchen was well-stocked with plenty of dishes, pots, and pans, and the dining area was ample enough to allow people to sit. Lounge got a bit crowded sometimes, but was well-equipped. Free wireless internet allowed convenience of access, but having stayed on the top floor, the signal was a bit weak up there (and on that note, be prepared to climb a lot of stairs). This was my first stay in a hostel and it couldn't have been better. Will definitely return here on my next visit! — Crystal , US (2008-04-23) Warm, welcoming atmosphere, very clean, comfortable, great location! Home away from home is what it felt like staying at the Riverhouse Backpackers.
Clean rooms and bathrooms, great kitchen area with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils available to prepare your own meal if you wish to. The living room, equipped with TV, DVD player, Wii, and internet access was a great meeting place to relax and enjoy at any time of day. The brother and sister team is doing a wonderful job at ensuring that the stay of every single guest is a comfortable and enjoyable one. Therefore, "come home" to the Riverhouse Backpackers and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself, a lovely breakfast in the morning, and much more! — Angela , Germany (2008-03-17) Brilliant hostel with wonderful hosts! I have stayed in some great hostels before, but this was probably the best experience I've ever had. The thing I remember most fondly about my time in Cardiff was actually this hostel's staff and Abi in particular, although I remember very little as I was totally jet lagged, having flown halfway across the world for a job interview at the time. But each time I think of Cardiff I just remember how wonderful the hostel and its staff was. The city itself is also fantastic -- unfortunately I didn't get the job so I can't come back to this great place for some time, but take my word for it, this hostel and its amazing staff will make you love your time in the city. — Ryan , USA (2008-03-13) Fantastic! Gorgeous hostel. Feels like home. Ideal location, comfortable environment, easy to find. Abi and Charlie are absolutely wonderful, so friendly and helpful! I wouldn't normally even choose to stay in a hostel, but this place is top notch. Awesome kitchen, great showers, lounge room -- everything is perfect. I can't wait to visit a third time! I love Cardiff, and the Riverhouse is one of the reasons why. — Marie , Canada (2008-02-16) Great, Great, Great Got the name of this place on the recommendation of a friend and it was great. From the second we got there the staff were fantastic, very welcoming and helpful with everything during my stay. The location is just a stones throw away from the centre of town, just a few minutes walk and then quiet enough to enjoy your stay. The building is good with renovated rooms/bathrooms, kitchen dining area. Big screen TV, and computer at your disposal. missed the breakfast. It was a great weekend and next time I am back in Cardiff, I'll be booking myself in there. — Nigel , Ireland (2008-01-14) The best hostel I've been to! We stayed at the Riverhouse 19th/20th October and were impressed. Really friendly atmosphere. Rooms and showers were very clean and modern and the people running the hostel were helpful and friendly. Kitchen was well equipped and dining area pleasant. Great outside decking area and living room had big flat screen TV and internet access. Location perfect for city centre and Millenium Stadium. — Angela , British (2007-10-22) Friendly staff, clean, excellent! I have just finished a tour of western europe and stayed in many different hostels and without a doubt this one was the best! Extremely helpful owners, fantastic chill out area (nice TV), lovely new clean kitchen and bathroom facilities. Lastly and most importantly nice comfortable rooms. If you're planning a short stay in Cardiff both it's location and it's facilities are unbeatable. I recommend it! — Charlie Swords , English (2007-10-13) Best hostel I have ever stayed in. The first thing I notice about The Riverhouse is how friendly the owners are (thank you Abi for helping me get to Caerphily). Good showers, amazing kitchen and bathrooms -- very clean! The location was in the centre but still nice and quiet. I have stayed in hostels in Cardiff before and this one was new so I gave it a try and this one is the best by far -- felt like home. I will be back! — Monique , Holland (2007-10-11)