Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge
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Summary of reviewsAmphitheatre Backpackers Lodge is highly regarded for its prime location, nestled among stunning scenic surroundings near the Royal Natal National Park and the Drakensberg mountains. The lodge serves as an ideal base for hiking and nature excursions, offering peaceful, welcoming grounds and a beautiful garden. Guests frequently commend the ample parking, clean communal kitchen and homely bar area, as well as the spacious outdoor areas with spectacular mountain views. The relaxed and cozy atmosphere is further enhanced by friendly staff and excellent culinary provisions.
Dining at the lodge receives high praise, particularly for its delicious breakfast and reasonably priced, homemade meals. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, contributing to an enjoyable dining experience with standout dishes including ravioli and homemade burgers. Despite occasional slow service, meal times are generally satisfying and the serene garden setting adds to the enjoyment.
Accommodation at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge presents a mix of positive and negative experiences. Many guests find the rooms to be large, cozy and equipped with necessary amenities, appreciating the cleanliness and comfort. However, there are recurring concerns regarding outdated facilities, occasional unpleasant smells and issues with room maintenance. Communal areas, in contrast, garner frequent praise for their quality and ambiance.
The cleanliness of the lodge's communal facilities, such as kitchens and bathrooms, is often criticized with reviews noting persistent hygiene concerns and inconsistent maintenance. Issues with musty beddings, insects and insufficient cleanliness of shared spaces detract from an otherwise appealing experience.
The staff at the lodge are a significant highlight, frequently commended for their friendliness, helpfulness and welcoming demeanor. Their dedication significantly uplifts the overall atmosphere with the owners often contributing a personal touch. Guests appreciate the staff's suggestions for hikes and local activities, enhancing their stay.
Wi-Fi is restricted to common areas and does not extend to the rooms, which may be inconvenient for some guests. The pool receives mixed reviews with positive notes on its ambiance and setting, although concerns about cleanliness, size and heavy chlorine treatment are raised. Lastly, while many find the beds comfortable, some guests mention small sizes and occasional musty smells, particularly in the double rooms.
All in all, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge is celebrated for its exceptional location, friendly staff and enjoyable dining experiences, though it could benefit from improved cleanliness and updated facilities to ensure a consistently positive guest experience.
Categories
Dining at the lodge receives high praise, particularly for its delicious breakfast and reasonably priced, homemade meals. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, contributing to an enjoyable dining experience with standout dishes including ravioli and homemade burgers. Despite occasional slow service, meal times are generally satisfying and the serene garden setting adds to the enjoyment.
Accommodation at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge presents a mix of positive and negative experiences. Many guests find the rooms to be large, cozy and equipped with necessary amenities, appreciating the cleanliness and comfort. However, there are recurring concerns regarding outdated facilities, occasional unpleasant smells and issues with room maintenance. Communal areas, in contrast, garner frequent praise for their quality and ambiance.
The cleanliness of the lodge's communal facilities, such as kitchens and bathrooms, is often criticized with reviews noting persistent hygiene concerns and inconsistent maintenance. Issues with musty beddings, insects and insufficient cleanliness of shared spaces detract from an otherwise appealing experience.
The staff at the lodge are a significant highlight, frequently commended for their friendliness, helpfulness and welcoming demeanor. Their dedication significantly uplifts the overall atmosphere with the owners often contributing a personal touch. Guests appreciate the staff's suggestions for hikes and local activities, enhancing their stay.
Wi-Fi is restricted to common areas and does not extend to the rooms, which may be inconvenient for some guests. The pool receives mixed reviews with positive notes on its ambiance and setting, although concerns about cleanliness, size and heavy chlorine treatment are raised. Lastly, while many find the beds comfortable, some guests mention small sizes and occasional musty smells, particularly in the double rooms.
All in all, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge is celebrated for its exceptional location, friendly staff and enjoyable dining experiences, though it could benefit from improved cleanliness and updated facilities to ensure a consistently positive guest experience.
Hostel with Swimming Pool
This hostel includes a swimming pool and is family- and pet-friendly.
Outdoor Pool
Cheap Hostel
Located in Ethels Drive, this lodge offers budget accommodation with basic amenities. Its location makes it a practical choice for travelers looking for a cost-effective stay.
Luxury Hostel
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Dog Friendly Hostel
Dog Play Area Dogs Stay Free
Do you accept dogs in all rooms?
Yes
Yes
Is there an extra charge?
Free! There is no extra charge. Dogs stay for free.
Free! There is no extra charge. Dogs stay for free.
Should the dog owner notify you before checking in?
Yes, During the booking process
Show more...Yes, During the booking process
Hostel with Parking
5-Star Hostel
Hostel with Outdoor Pool
Hostel where Dogs Stay Free
Hostel with Play Area For Dogs
Guest Reviews
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge boasts a prime location, central to a variety of activities and nestled among stunning scenic surroundings. Guests frequently highlight the facility's proximity to the Royal Natal National Park and the Drakensberg mountains, making it an ideal base for hiking and nature excursions. The lodge is described as peaceful and welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful, calm garden.
The property itself is praised for its ample parking spaces, clean communal kitchen and homely bar area. Visitors commend the spacious outdoor areas, which offer spectacular views of the mountains and plenty of room for kids to play. The accommodations are noted for being neat, tidy and clean with some rooms offering breathtaking views up to the mountains.
The lodge's location is not only beautiful but also strategically situated, providing easy access to nearby mountain activities and national parks. The overall ambiance of the property is relaxed and cozy, further enhanced by friendly staff and excellent culinary provisions. Despite a few minor points of criticism, such as some guests feeling poorly received, the general consensus underscores the lodge’s fantastic locale and inviting setting.
Nestled in a beautiful location, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge offers a delightful culinary experience that seems to resonate well with its guests. The atmosphere at the hostel is warm and friendly, which enhances the overall dining experience. Reviews highlight the breakfast as particularly good with descriptions like delicious contributing to its positive reputation. Guests also enjoyed the packed lunches and praised the restaurant for providing excellent meals throughout the day, whether it was breakfast, lunch or dinner. Additionally, the friendliness of the staff and the great WiFi contribute to making meal times pleasant and satisfying overall. While there are occasional mentions of less favorable experiences, such as cold tea or not-so-fresh bread, these seem to be outliers in an otherwise commendable dining service.
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge impresses with its delicious, reasonably priced meals, often highlighted as both tasty and satisfying. Guests enjoy a generally good variety of food with many meals being homemade, contributing to the overall value for money. The three-course dinners are particularly noted for their good quality and affordability, despite some mentions of limited menu options. The ravioli and homemade burger are standout dishes that receive frequent praise. The peaceful, beautiful garden setting amplifies the enjoyment of dining, making it an excellent spot to unwind after a long day of hiking. However, it's worth noting that the service can sometimes be slow, requiring more than 1.5 hours for food to be served on occasion. Despite that, the lodge remains a favorite for its tasty food, reasonable prices and serene atmosphere.
The Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge offers a mix of experiences when it comes to its rooms. Guests often find the rooms to be large, cozy and comfortable, providing all the essentials needed for a pleasant stay. Many reviewers appreciated the cleanliness and comfort of their rooms and the generally positive atmosphere of the lodge.
However, there are notable concerns regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of the rooms and facilities. Some guests reported issues with bad smells, dirty bathrooms and rooms that hadn't been made up upon arrival. The furnishings tend to be simple and the accommodations somewhat outdated with a number of complaints about small room sizes and inadequate amenities such as missing TVs, Wi-Fi, wardrobes or kettles.
Despite these drawbacks, the communal areas are frequently praised for their quality and pleasant ambiance. The lodge's location also offers great views and wonderful hiking trails, which contributes positively to the overall guest experience.
In summary, while the rooms at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge meet basic needs and offer a comfortable stay, there are consistent issues with cleanliness and outdated facilities that may affect overall satisfaction.
Visitors to Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge generally had mixed experiences regarding the beds. Many found the beds comfortable, particularly in the dormitory settings, where reviews highlighted comfort and a welcoming vibe. Some guests mentioned lovely and super comfy beds that contributed to a good night's sleep in a clean and relaxed environment. However, several reviews pointed out that the beds were quite small, leading to discomfort, especially for taller guests. Some also noted issues with musty smells and the bed quality in the double rooms not matching the website photos, detracting from their overall experience.
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge has a range of amenities such as communal kitchens and bathrooms that are generally well-equipped. However, the cleanliness of these facilities leaves much to be desired. Numerous reviews highlight issues with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers, describing them as dirty on multiple occasions with persistent hygiene concerns. The communal showers and toilets often fall short on cleanliness with additional complaints about insufficient toilet paper, cold water and lack of basic toiletries like soap.
Furthermore, the rooms also face similar cleanliness issues, including musty smells, insects and flies. The bedding has been reported to smell and was not always clean, which detracts from the overall experience. Shared facilities like the kitchen were noted to be in poor condition with dirty dishcloths and dishes and a general lack of proper cleanliness. Additionally, the pool was described as green and disappointing and some guests felt that the overall hygiene standards did not justify the price.
Overall, while the lodge offers essential amenities, its inconsistent and often poor cleanliness detracts significantly from its appeal.
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge stands out for its exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, who are consistently praised for their welcoming nature and dedication to guests. The atmosphere is open and inviting, contributing to an overall pleasant stay. The owners are particularly highlighted as friendly and accommodating, often adding to the positive experience with their personal touch. The staff are regarded not only as attentive and kind but also as having fantastic suggestions for hikes and local activities.
The food at the lodge receives commendations for being delicious and the menu varied. The establishment boasts great grounds and offers engaging tours, enhancing the guest experience. Despite some mentions of lapses in customer service and isolated instances of unfriendly interactions, the majority of reviews affirm that the staff's kindness and efficiency significantly uplift the atmosphere. The large bar and restaurant areas, along with the pleasant outdoor spaces, further enrich the stay, making Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge a commendable choice for travelers.
Guests staying at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge found the Wi-Fi experience to be somewhat limited. While the Wi-Fi service was noted to be great in the common areas and in the vicinity of the restaurant, it did not extend to the rooms. This restriction meant that guests could only access the internet in designated communal spaces, which may be an inconvenience for those hoping to stay connected in the privacy of their own rooms.
The Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge offers mixed experiences regarding its swimming pool, but there are positive aspects worth noting. Several guests enjoyed the pool and appreciated its pleasant ambiance and attractive setting near the common area and bar. For those seeking relaxation, the combination of the jacuzzi and pool is considered a nice touch, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for socializing.
However, the pool's size and heavy chlorine treatment have been points of concern, especially for guests looking for privacy and a more natural swimming experience. Some have also pointed out issues with the pool's cleanliness and functionality, which detracted from their overall impressions.
In summary, while the pool at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge has its highlights, such as adding to the venue's charm and providing a space to unwind, it could benefit from improvements in maintenance and privacy for a better guest experience.
Location Show Map
Location
The property itself is praised for its ample parking spaces, clean communal kitchen and homely bar area. Visitors commend the spacious outdoor areas, which offer spectacular views of the mountains and plenty of room for kids to play. The accommodations are noted for being neat, tidy and clean with some rooms offering breathtaking views up to the mountains.
The lodge's location is not only beautiful but also strategically situated, providing easy access to nearby mountain activities and national parks. The overall ambiance of the property is relaxed and cozy, further enhanced by friendly staff and excellent culinary provisions. Despite a few minor points of criticism, such as some guests feeling poorly received, the general consensus underscores the lodge’s fantastic locale and inviting setting.
Breakfast
Dinner
Rooms
However, there are notable concerns regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of the rooms and facilities. Some guests reported issues with bad smells, dirty bathrooms and rooms that hadn't been made up upon arrival. The furnishings tend to be simple and the accommodations somewhat outdated with a number of complaints about small room sizes and inadequate amenities such as missing TVs, Wi-Fi, wardrobes or kettles.
Despite these drawbacks, the communal areas are frequently praised for their quality and pleasant ambiance. The lodge's location also offers great views and wonderful hiking trails, which contributes positively to the overall guest experience.
In summary, while the rooms at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge meet basic needs and offer a comfortable stay, there are consistent issues with cleanliness and outdated facilities that may affect overall satisfaction.
Beds
Cleanliness
Furthermore, the rooms also face similar cleanliness issues, including musty smells, insects and flies. The bedding has been reported to smell and was not always clean, which detracts from the overall experience. Shared facilities like the kitchen were noted to be in poor condition with dirty dishcloths and dishes and a general lack of proper cleanliness. Additionally, the pool was described as green and disappointing and some guests felt that the overall hygiene standards did not justify the price.
Overall, while the lodge offers essential amenities, its inconsistent and often poor cleanliness detracts significantly from its appeal.
Staff
The food at the lodge receives commendations for being delicious and the menu varied. The establishment boasts great grounds and offers engaging tours, enhancing the guest experience. Despite some mentions of lapses in customer service and isolated instances of unfriendly interactions, the majority of reviews affirm that the staff's kindness and efficiency significantly uplift the atmosphere. The large bar and restaurant areas, along with the pleasant outdoor spaces, further enrich the stay, making Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge a commendable choice for travelers.
Wi-Fi
Pool
However, the pool's size and heavy chlorine treatment have been points of concern, especially for guests looking for privacy and a more natural swimming experience. Some have also pointed out issues with the pool's cleanliness and functionality, which detracted from their overall impressions.
In summary, while the pool at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge has its highlights, such as adding to the venue's charm and providing a space to unwind, it could benefit from improvements in maintenance and privacy for a better guest experience.
Yes, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge.
Yes, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge welcomes dogs. For more information, read the answers to the Dog Friendly questionnaire
Yes, parking facilities are available at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge.
No, Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge doesn't have a gym.
Location Show Map
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