Forty8 Backpackers - Hostel

We only popped into Forty 8 Backpackers for a quick coffee, and the creamy cappuccino was delicious. Service was very good, and the menu is reasonably priced. I'll be back to try a meal.

The dorm had poor wifi, no room keys, no proper cutlery, not even spoons, and no kitchen. There's also nowhere to wait before check-in, so you're left finding somewhere else to go. At reception, the trainee couldn't tell me whether there was a waiting room and sent me to the bar because it had charging ports. A man there told me I had to buy something to charge my laptop, then asked me to leave. I sat on a chair in the passage to reception, but he came out of the bar to say it wasn't a seating area, despite the couches and chairs there. When I called reception, the receptionist said she was a trainee who didn't know much about the establishment and that the barman was her boss. The security guard, who doesn't understand English, handles bookings and checkouts overnight and in the morning. I had extended online for another night, but he woke me up saying checkout time had come. I told him twice that I'd extended, and he didn't ask for proof either time. He waited until noon for the barman or manager to arrive and bother me for proof. The trainees and manager also seem to give conflicting information about how things work. In my opinion, the backpackers hires West-African immigrants who have no idea how to handle bookings and guests. There are more affordable, nicer backpackers in CPT. Save yourself the hassle.

I booked and paid online through SafariNow, but when I arrived, they said they no longer work with SafariNow and hadn't confirmed the booking. They wanted me to pay for the room again, and I lost both my accommodation and my money. Don't book or pay through SafariNow. I took my things to another backpackers, Blue Hotel Backpackers, which had awesome rooms and service. Forty8 won't get my business again.

The dorms are cramped and noisy, and the layout doesn't seem well thought out. Dirty laundry is often left in the kitchen and hallways waiting to be washed. The lobby gives a much better impression than the rest of this backpacker's does. With some thought, they could make the place great.