The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
One of the longer running hostels in Mossel Bay is Park House Lodge, occupying a house more than one hundred fifty years old. Mossel Bay is a very popular stop on international travelers’ south coast itineraries, with its gorgeous beaches and walking trails. It also has a wide selection of accommodation and is particularly healthy in the budget backpackers’ department.
The Location
Park House Lodge is a little far from the beach, but it’s handy for the center of town and not a long way from the hiking trail along the headland by the lighthouse.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This big house has mostly dorms and family rooms. It caters for domestic tourists as well as international backpackers and is a Baz Bus stop. There are a couple of double rooms here as well, but most rooms use shared bathrooms. There are three dorms here; two of six beds and one of ten beds. The six-bed dorms are spacious and have cupboards and drawers for storage. The ten-bed dorm doesn’t have anywhere near as much room and is a little claustrophobic. The wooden bunks are sturdy and the bedding is warm and clean. The mattresses are comfortable and some (but not all) of the beds have bedside lights. There are a couple of power points in the rooms, too. The shared bathrooms are clean and there is twenty-four-hour hot water. A couple of the bathrooms have bathtubs and there are hand towels and soap.
Common Spaces
Walking through the main house to the rooms, guests will pass through the sitting room, which has a dining table, couches, and a TV in the corner. There are limited channels on the TV, though. A small informal bar leads off from the sitting room. Outside the sitting room, there is the coffee station. If you want tea, there are tea bags and sugar here also, but you have to walk back in to the kitchen to boil the water. All this is provided free of charge. There is a toaster at the coffee station, too and filtered water for drinking.
A covered patio runs the length of the house at the rear with a line of tables and chairs and the large back garden has some plastic garden chairs and tables. The shared kitchen is large and has a gas kettle, microwave, four-ring gas cooker, and four-hob electric cooker. The cabinet fridge doesn’t seem to be working very well; the temperature was only a little under room temperature during our stay. Guests will find plenty of pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery. Just around the corner from the coffee station, there is a braai (BBQ) area with table and chairs and a sink. The free Wi-Fi is pretty good around the reception area, but even though they have a signal booster, it is a bit temperamental for the rooms at the back of the house.
Summary
This is a neat little place with wooden floors and staircases that ooze character. It doesn’t have the vibe of an international backpackers’ hostel, but it’s a very good choice if you want a break from that, or a bit of peace and quiet.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
+4
LondonroadMa
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Jul 20, 2018
Description
Located in a cul-de-sac, Park House is set in lush surrounds with hammocks and ponds. The tranquil garden abounds with peaceful nooks and crannies, and on fridays we drum the night away. If it's chilly park yourself infront of the cozy fire in our bar, if it's sunny stroll down to Santos Beach for a swim. Whatever you prefer, come do it chilling out, parking off at Park House Lodge.
Dorms from R70 p/p, Doubles from R200 p/p
Location and Contact
Location
• Located opposite the Botanical Gardens • Walking Distance from Beaches and Town