Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Umkomaas for other available Umkomaas hostels and accommodations.
Please see Umkomaas for other available Umkomaas hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
Aliwal Inn is all about diving. It seems that everything about this town and this hostel is about diving. They have a dive charter on the premises, and lots of hustle and bustle in the mornings as groups get ready to go dive the Aliwal Shoal (one of the ten best sites in the world).
The Location
This hostel is relatively easy to find if you follow the directions. It would be difficult without your own car, as there are no buses to this location. There are mini buses that travel this route or part of it, but this is not always the safest option. There is plenty of parking space on the property. The neighbourhood is not too good, but the property has fencing and a security gate that closes at night.
Rooms and Bathrooms
It is a double-story building that seems relatively new. It overlooks the ocean. There is only one dorm room consisting of four double bunks (eight beds). The room is clean and has a fridge. There are also five double rooms, and one of these has a en-suite toilet and basin. The double rooms have double beds, and are small, but very nice and they are new and clean and well decorated. The double room en-suite has two big doors opening to a patio with stunning sea views. You can lie on your bed and see the ocean. Each room (except dorm) also have their own coffee and tea facilities. Each room also has a dresser, drawers, and a chair. They also provide linen and towels.
The communal bathrooms have two toilets and two showers each. These are clean with very nice shower heads, but no place to get dressed when you finish your shower. There is hooks on the outside of the shower to hang your clothes and space on the inside of the shower to put your soap. While it seems that these bathrooms are also used by the divers and by the restaurant, it is never dirty or crowded. All rooms are cleaned daily.
Common Spaces
There are no common areas such as a kitchen or lounge, but a veranda from every room, a huge grass area in front of every room, and a balcony on the top story that has tables and chairs that overlook the ocean. There is also a restaurant and bar on the second story. They serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and dinner every night except Sundays.
This is a beautiful spot to overlook the ocean, have a drink, read, or try and spot the whales. This establishment is much busier over a weekend, and very quiet on a Sunday night. This is not a party hostel, but it can get vibey with the restaurant and bar.
Summary
The building seems to be relatively new, and the premises are clean and well kept. While the hostel lacks a kitchen, there is a supermarket close to find food and even cooked food (open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). So if you don't want to eat at the restaurant you can borrow some chairs and a table if you're lucky and eat on the veranda in front of your room.
We loved staying here. The rooms are very nice (though small), beds are new and comfortable, and we love the view. This is not your typical hostel, as it revolves round diving, which starts early in the mornings. But even though we didn't dive, we still enjoyed it.
The Location
This hostel is relatively easy to find if you follow the directions. It would be difficult without your own car, as there are no buses to this location. There are mini buses that travel this route or part of it, but this is not always the safest option. There is plenty of parking space on the property. The neighbourhood is not too good, but the property has fencing and a security gate that closes at night.
Rooms and Bathrooms
It is a double-story building that seems relatively new. It overlooks the ocean. There is only one dorm room consisting of four double bunks (eight beds). The room is clean and has a fridge. There are also five double rooms, and one of these has a en-suite toilet and basin. The double rooms have double beds, and are small, but very nice and they are new and clean and well decorated. The double room en-suite has two big doors opening to a patio with stunning sea views. You can lie on your bed and see the ocean. Each room (except dorm) also have their own coffee and tea facilities. Each room also has a dresser, drawers, and a chair. They also provide linen and towels.
The communal bathrooms have two toilets and two showers each. These are clean with very nice shower heads, but no place to get dressed when you finish your shower. There is hooks on the outside of the shower to hang your clothes and space on the inside of the shower to put your soap. While it seems that these bathrooms are also used by the divers and by the restaurant, it is never dirty or crowded. All rooms are cleaned daily.
Common Spaces
There are no common areas such as a kitchen or lounge, but a veranda from every room, a huge grass area in front of every room, and a balcony on the top story that has tables and chairs that overlook the ocean. There is also a restaurant and bar on the second story. They serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and dinner every night except Sundays.
This is a beautiful spot to overlook the ocean, have a drink, read, or try and spot the whales. This establishment is much busier over a weekend, and very quiet on a Sunday night. This is not a party hostel, but it can get vibey with the restaurant and bar.
Summary
The building seems to be relatively new, and the premises are clean and well kept. While the hostel lacks a kitchen, there is a supermarket close to find food and even cooked food (open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). So if you don't want to eat at the restaurant you can borrow some chairs and a table if you're lucky and eat on the veranda in front of your room.
We loved staying here. The rooms are very nice (though small), beds are new and comfortable, and we love the view. This is not your typical hostel, as it revolves round diving, which starts early in the mornings. But even though we didn't dive, we still enjoyed it.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2007
Aliwal Inn Details
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(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Location/Contact| Address | 7 Barrow Street, Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa |
| Location | |
| Website | www.aliwalinn.co.za |
| Telephone | 082-8933097 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Great place We love our stay here. Not only did we have a great view, but the rooms were nice, beds comfy, and great to have a restaurant on the premises (they had some yummy food). Also very convenient for diving, and it has a dive charter on the premises, so you can just wake up and get ready for your dive. We would highly recommend this place if you want to go diving. — Beverley , South African (2007-09-13)