So what choices are there? Unlike your cheap Cape Town flight, a hotel is going to cost you money, loads of money. What are the choices for a student, or even the young professional looking to save cash where they can? A guest house or a backpacker is a great option, emphasising fun and communal activates over a snooty atmosphere. Up and down our coast and winding through the roads of our fair town lay many hidden jewels which can be effortlessly found with only a quick search on Google, or by using this handy article you are currently reading right now.
• Best for Budget
Backpackers are without any hesitation the only lodgings which the more thrifty traveller should choose. If you are staying or travelling through Cape Town, then you will find an abundance of backpackers down Long Street, the main road of the inner city. Most of them are tucked away secretly and some searching will reward you with fantastic options like the frankly marvellous Cat and Moose Backpackers. This combination of old world charms with student-friendly conveniences such as pool tables, keyless locks, a TV lounge and much more entices every stranger into its welcoming atmosphere. The prices are also insanely inexpensive, starting at R90 per night for a dorm room and only R270 per night for a double or twin room. For safety and fun, the Cat and Moose is hard to beat.
Let continue our Cape Town travel experience and make our way into Observatory or ‘Obs’ as the locals like to call it. This is an unbelievably calm part of Cape Town with a very cool backpacker located deep in its suburban heart. The Green Elephant is conveniently situated in the area which is close to the student hangouts, shops, movies, public transport and the famous Baxter theatre. Other than the convenience of having such cool facilities close at hand, the Green Elephant sports a massive braai [BBQ] area, solar heated pool, a hot Jacuzzi for those cold winter evenings, a spacious living room with satellite TV and a pool table. The Green Elephant has many more features I can’t even begin to list, but what of the price? It is very sound in my opinion, starting at R100 for a dorm per night in this cosy suburb which is definitely not too much to ask of anyone.
• Time to Splurge
We travel back to Cape Town now, and end up at Daddy Long Legs, a guest house which has unique, artistically designed rooms which cater for any taste. There are thirteen fashionable rooms in fact. Daddy Long legs claims that staying in one of the hotels rooms is akin to being part of your very own art exhibition. Each of these one of a kind rooms has the artist’s signature stamp affixed to it. There is the Freshlyground room, decorated with the iconic Cape Town band and suffused with music and African-influenced art. Or choose Far From Home, where the room is painted with the vista of an ocean, setting you instantly at ease. However eclectic your desires may be, Daddy long legs has the room which will accommodate you. Prices range from R575 per room per night in the low season to R825 during peak season.
This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as accommodation is concerned in Cape Town. My best advice to you is to explore and seek out the accommodation Cape Town has to offer. Another idea is to travel on the Bazbus, a lively road trip which stops at selected backpackers and guesthouses. They travel up the famous Garden route of Cape Town, letting you hop off at any point of the trip. Whatever your decision is, book a Cape Town Flight now and experience the best in backpacking and guesthouses!