Hermanus Backpackers

Terrible experience! If you want safe parking, you need to pay an additional R60 per night or else you park outside and they warn you about smash and grab outside. Jacqueline definitely does not belong in the hospitality industry. She is rude and speaks negatively about many guests. People that want to stay in a bit are called “sit-en-plak” customers. She does like for guests to be there during the day. She doesn’t like the Bazz bus and exclaims “just not them again”. She was more concerned about doing her own things and having her own people over. They were drinking in the lounge that we were told was only for the staff, till close to 12 at night. She was even having her guests in the office. They were taking over the kitchen and just acting like it was their own holiday home. Theodora was the only kind receptionist. She remembers every guest by their name and her manners are more like someone working at a 5-star. I wish they would rather make her the manager.

The owner & her son were so friendly and helpful with advice on where to access the Cliff walk. Amazing location, clean and well kept buildings, comfortable rooms, lovely communal spaces & everything you need in the kitchen. Enjoyed my hot shower too! Will definitely be back, and great value for money.

Hermanus backpackers has been one of my favorite hostels I have been to in a long time. Haley and Jacqueline were so lovely. They basically walk you through everything to eat, see, and do in town when you get there plus all the walking or driving directions and where to park. It’s so thorough and amazing. The location itself is fantastic and very central to doing things while still off the beaten path just enough to be quiet for sleep. Parking is plentiful and they have parking in the back behind a gate should you prefer that. The rooms themselves are also really nice. As a tall person I fit quite nicely in the dorm bed, AND it was genuinely comfy, and perfectly temperate. The common room, kitchen, and back yard area are also awesome and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see Chloe the resident hostel dog and an absolute sweetheart. What a spot! I would definitely come back.

I had such a lovely stay in this hostel - I took a private room, which was perfect: clean and quiet. I met wonderful people in Hermanus and host was truly amazing. Jacqueline offered advice, help with booking activities and was most welcoming. I was sad to leave.

This was a wonderful introduction to Hermanus...I couldn't have chosen a better and more friendly place than Backpacker's and consider myself extremely fortunate to have stayed here... The staff were so pleasant and accommodating - including and especially the reception staff who went out of their way - going the 'extra mile' to see to it that guests were comfortable and that all was running smoothly. I found Backpacker's to be so clean and comfortable - and was really quite sad to leave but would stay here again - at a 'moment's notice'... Oh, I must just add - the presence of the dog, I believe her name is Chloe - was so lovely and made the Backpacker's house - a 'home from home' experience...! Room - excellent Cleanliness - exceptional Kitchen - everything that you would need...! Thoroughly enjoyable - and thank you so much...

Although I did not end up staying at this property, I was a little disappointed by how they handled my unavoidable need to cancel or change my reservation. I made the booking the day before I was supposed to stay. Unfortunately, immediately after making the reservation, I suffered a serious accident, broke a bone, and was hospitalized. I explained the situation and asked whether it would be possible to cancel the reservation, or alternatively, move to a later date. The reservation site’s policy clearly stated that accommodations are required to offer maximum consideration in cases of unavoidable circumstances such as hospitalization. At the time I made the booking, there were multiple beds still available for the original date (meaning no one lost the opportunity to book because of my reservation), and I had also confirmed that there were plenty of vacancies for the date I wanted to change to. Moreover, it wasn’t as if I was trying to change a reservation made long in advance—this was a reservation made only a few hours earlier. For these reasons, I expected a flexible response. However, what I received instead was a rigid message stating: “No changes or cancellations are allowed within 14 days of the stay, and the full amount will be charged.” I asked whether not even a date change was possible, but received no reply. I explained my hospitalization to the other accommodations I had booked for this trip, and every one of them graciously allowed an exception—either a cancellation or a date change. This property was the only one that refused any form of accommodation whatsoever. I had looked forward to staying here because of the good reviews, but after realizing how cold-hearted the owner was, I no longer wished to stay. When I later recovered and visited Hermanus, I chose a different place to stay. I fully understand that non-refundable policies exist as part of doing business. I also feel sorry for that sudden change/cancellation request due to the accident on my side. However, based on their response in this case, I was left with the impression that this property cares more about making money and has less consideration for the circumstances of its guests.…..that response was a bit sad and shocking when I was on hospital bed and still tried to contact the property with the injured hand. Based on the reviews, I do believe this accommodation is a nice place to stay. However, I would recommend making a reservation at the last minute, so that their rigid cancellation policy won’t affect you.

Excellent 2 day stay at Hermanus Backpackers where a lovely homely hotel/hostel has a great personal touch and friendly caring host Jacqueline. It's a very comfy stay, where its meticulously clean and as well as use of lounges and the kitchen, there is a garden and small pool. The location is central within 2 mins of seafront and 5 mins of town. Lots of nice restaurants and cafes in town, of which Jacqueline will advise you the best of them. Nothing better than a day of hiking and whale spotting than coming back to the hotel to be welcomed by the warm and friendly dog Chloe.

An awesome stay,coming all the way from Cape Town to work in Hermanus and all the staff made me feel very welcomed and at home,especially Jacqueline and so adorable Chloe,an amazing friendly house dog which made me feel right at home.Love getting up in the morning and seeing Chloe who will come and greet me with tail wagging,which makes my morning.Will be staying as long as possible. Coming home from work in the evening Chloe would always come and greet and Jacqueline with a luvly smile.Very very awesome,relaxed homely stay.