Where to stay in Cape Town?
City Bowl - The bustling center
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Before we get to the best hostels in Cape Town, let’s look into the city’s different neighbourhoods. City Bowl is home to CBD, one of the busiest neighbourhood featuring plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs lined up along its famous Long Street and Bree Street. Next to CBD you’ll find the mainly residential Gardens and Tamboerskloof suburbs, still close to Cape Town’s amazing restaurant scene but are a bit more chilled than their busy neighbour.
A bit more inland you’ll find Woodstock and Observatory, popular with backpackers and the creative crowd alike. Woodstock is considered as an up- and coming neighbourhood and a hub for many young start-ups, entrepreneurs and artists that have settled here. There is some great street art to see, events and festivals in the summer and a good choice when you’re on a budget. It can however get a bit dodgy in the evenings, so better not to walk around after dark. As it’s a bit further out from the buzz you’ll find cheaper accommodation here.
Adjacent to CBD you’ll find the historic suburb of Boo-Kap located on the slopes of Signal Hill and distinguished by its colourful houses. Lastly you’ve got the glitzy V&A Waterfront, home to fancy restaurants and some of them best shopping in Cape Town.
The Atlantic Seaboard - Sand, Sea and Surf
The suburbs within The Atlantic Seaboard are known for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and spectacular coastline around Camps Bay, Clifton and Llundudno stretching all the way to Hout Bay. A bit closer to the city you’ll find the suburbs of Green Point, Sea Point and Three Anchor Bay.
For everyone looking to find their Cape Town hostel to be a bit further out from the hustle and bustle, closer to nature, or here to surf, The Atlantic Seaboard is the place to be. Clifton and Camps Bay are the two most expensive suburbs to stay in Cape Town and offer almost exclusively high-end luxury apartments, villas and residences, so we will focus on Green Point instead which has the benefit of being in close proximity to both the city center and the waterfront.
Flashpacker Hostels within The Atlantic Seaboard
My Favourite Cape Town Hostel:
The B.I.G Backpackers
B.I.G Backpackers in Green Point is not only one of the best hostels in Cape Town but hands down one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at – twice. The comfy ensuite double, triple or quadruple rooms are beautifully decorated with some featuring a private terrace. The 4-bed mixed and 5-bed female dorms are spacious and light and the comfy mattresses are a dream to sleep on. You’ll find two outdoor seating areas with braai facilities, two fully equipped kitchens and an indoor reading room. The lovely personable staff serves a free, sumptuous breakfast each morning and cooks a weekly dinner for all the guests. B.I.G offers daily tours around Cape Town and are always happy to help when making your own plans. Towels can be rented for a small fee. Prices start at 17 USD for a dorm bed and 50 USD for a private room.
Key Selling Points: Everything
Accommodation in Green Point
Go budget
CURiOCITY Cape Town
CURIOCITY Cape Town fits the flashpacker accommodation category quite perfectly. It’s one of the newest hostels in Cape Town and referred to as the first design-led hybrid hotel in Africa. CURIOCITY’s biggest feature is a minimalist and Scandinavian design which was carefully planned and executed by some of the best local designers. The accommodation ranges from 12 and 8-bed dorms to large private suites. There are lots of social places in and outside including their own cafe to connect and co-work. You have also got a pool and lots of daily activities and tours to choose from. Staying here will set you back by around 15 USD in a dorm and 70 USD in a private studio.
Key Selling Points: Design, co-working spaces, location
treat yourself
Bluegum Hill Guesthouse
For a peaceful, homely and comfortable stay surrounded by panoramic views I recommend staying at the exceptional Bluegum Hill Guesthouse. Really nothing beats this accommodation in terms of value for money. Prices start at 60 USD for a single ensuite room including a breakfast leaving no wish unanswered. The outdoor salt water pool invites for a refreshing swim, while the terrace is the is the perfect place to enjoy the generous breakfast in the mornings. It’s apparent that every room has been decorated with love and detail and most rooms offer sea views. The owners are super welcoming and happy to help with the organisation of tours and experiences.
Key Selling Points: The views and the breakfast
Something a little different
MOY Guesthouse and Backpackers
MOY Guesthouse and Backpackers is a fairly recent addition to the hostel scene and is another great option when staying in Green Point. MOY stands for Mountain, Ocean and Yoga and it’s probably the most “boutiquey” hostels in Cape Town. This boutique hostel offers custom designed dorm beds, female only dorms and is one of the few I found to have privacy curtains. They also offer a range of ensuite private rooms. The interior design of this beautiful Victorian Villa is minimalist, practical and stylish. There is a small garden, a communal kitchen and living room. For about 60 USD a night you’ll get a double ensuite room. Staying in 6-bed dorm sets you back 22 USD a night. A good breakfast is available at a cafe across the street. They have an in-house bike rental if you want to explore Cape Town on a saddle!
Flashpacker Hostels in City Bowl
Go budget
91 LOOP
Boutique Hostel 91 Loop offers everything real flashpacker accommodation should have. While nestled between Hipster Bree Street surrounded by trendy cafes and restaurants, you’ll still get a good night’s sleep. Besides 4, 6, or 8-bed dorms, female only dorms and stylish private rooms, 91 Loop are one of the first hostels in Cape Town to offer dorm sleeping pods for complete privacy. The hostel features a cafe with daily free breakfast, a bar and restaurant and lots of social spaces. The friendly staff organise tours and activities throughout the week including the occasional live music event. Prices are very reasonable starting at around 12 USD for a dorm bed and 45 USD for a private ensuite.
Top Tip: If you’re a little claustrophobic then don’t book the cubicles, opt for a “normal” dorm, as the pods are quite small.
Key Selling Points: Social vibe and value for money
treat yourself
40 ON BURG
40 On Burg is only a blog away from Long Street and located right in the heart of CBD. The private ensuite rooms are spacious, stylish. Don’t worry about bringing toiletries, towels or a hair dryer – it’s all there. This 4-star boutique hotel housed in a 1930s art deco building features a lounge, a bar and a good restaurant. It might not have the biggest social vibe, but it’s a good choice for everyone wanting a bit more luxury at the end of a long trip right in the heart of the city. Prices start at 60 USD for a deluxe private room – unbeatable value for money!
Key Selling Points: Location, value for money
Jardin d'ébÈne Boutique Guesthouse
The suburbs of Gardens and Tamboerskloof have a ton of cute and homely B&Bs worth checking out and Jardin d’ébène Boutique Guesthouse is certainly one of them. It gets a whopping 9.8 on booking.com and is therefore the best reviewed B&B in town. It’s one of those cozy places that you don’t want to leave, a true home away from home. It might not fit the “hostels in Cape Town” category as it’s more a B&B but it’s definitely a great place for flashpackers looking for some tranquility after a busy trip.
Only a five minute stroll from Kloof Street and its bars and restaurants, it’s set in a gorgeous Cape Dutch Town Villa keeping traditional features in line with colonial interiors. The swimming pool invites for a nice cool-off during hot summer days while guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast on the large terrace each morning. The hosts go out of their way to make your stay memorable. There is a communal living room but no kitchen, so no option for flashpackers looking to self cater. This is the perfect place to simply relax a last day or two after a long trip. Prices start at $80 per night for a private ensuite including breakfast.
Something a little different
Stock exchange
Stock Exchange is Woodstock’s hottest addition where according to the website “the epitome of creativity, a vibrant atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities merge”. This ultra stylish hybrid hotel combines an entertainment deck, stylish residential units, retail outlets and restaurants. Each spacious 42sqm studio comes with a fully equipped kitchenette, high speed internet and views over the city. Guests can enjoy lots of common areas, a beautiful terrace, an in-house grocery store, a bar, a swimming pool and a gym. The hotel is perfect for self catering digital nomads who need fast internet, space and creative environment. Prices start at a reasonable 50 USD a night and include breakfast.
Key Selling Points: Design, facilities, rooms
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