Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls

Victoria Falls -17.92613300, 25.83491900 , West Drive 12 (Show on Map)
8.2
Very Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsShoestrings Backpackers Lodge in Victoria Falls offers a prime and convenient location, just a short walk from the majestic Victoria Falls and the town center. Guests can easily access local markets, shops, restaurants and other attractions with the lodge providing a secure property enhanced by 24/7 guard service. Visitors enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff, a large garden and a relaxing pool area.

The breakfast at the lodge receives positive feedback for its quality and variety, including vegan options and hearty dishes like a Full English breakfast. Although some guests feel breakfast should be included in the room rate and note the system can be slow, the dining experience is generally enjoyable with a pleasant environment and helpful staff.

For dinner, the onsite restaurant is well-regarded for its delicious and varied menu, featuring excellent pizzas and bar food. Guests appreciate the fresh and flavorful offerings and the friendly, fast service, though some find the prices a bit steep for a backpacker lodge. Nonetheless, many feel the food offers good value for money.

Rooms at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge are clean and comfortable, noted for large beds with mosquito nets. Guests highlight the spacious rooms and bathrooms with good water pressure in showers, though some find the rooms small and lacking air conditioning. Despite occasional reports of unclean bathrooms and shabby sheets, the lodge is generally considered good value for money, especially for short stays.

In terms of cleanliness, the lodge maintains a high standard with daily cleaning services ensuring inviting rooms, tents and common areas. While bathroom maintenance could improve, the overall cleanliness is positively received.

The staff is a standout feature, consistently praised for their helpfulness, friendliness and professionalism. From managing tours and taxis to providing warm and efficient service, the staff contribute significantly to the overall positive experience for guests.

Wi-Fi service presents a mixed experience; while some guests find it fast and reliable in certain areas, others report slow speeds and frequent log-in issues, particularly in dorms and tents. The main bar and pool area tend to have the best connectivity.

The pool area is a highlight, consistently praised for its cleanliness and inviting atmosphere. It serves as a great relaxation spot and a social hub for meeting new people, enhanced by a well-maintained garden and a vibrant bar area.

Beds at the lodge receive positive feedback for comfort with mosquito nets and privacy-enhancing features in dorms. Despite some reports of worn and too-soft mattresses, the general consensus is that the sleeping arrangements are comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep.

Overall, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls boasts a superb location, friendly service and comfortable accommodations, making it an ideal base for exploring Victoria Falls and enjoying a vibrant communal atmosphere.
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Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This lodge has participated in local Victoria Falls Waste Management meetings, indicating an awareness and involvement in local environmental efforts.

Hostel with Parking
This backpackers lodge provides free parking and onsite parking facilities.

Hostel with Swimming Pool

  Outdoor Pool  


Cheap Hostel

Small Hostel

Hostel with Outdoor Pool

Room Types
Double or Twin Room This twin/double room has a desk, a patio, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit has 2 beds.

Double or Twin Room The twin/double room features a private entrance, a dining area, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The twin/double room provides a tiled floor and garden views.

Single Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has a dining area, seating area and patio.

Single Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory features a dining area.

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has a seating area, patio and dining area.

Tent with Shared Bathroom The tent offers a private entrance, a dining area, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 2 beds.

Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge in Victoria Falls boasts an exceptional location, making it a prime choice for travelers eager to explore this iconic destination. The lodge is conveniently situated within walking distance of the majestic Victoria Falls, as well as the town center. Guests appreciate the proximity to local markets, shops, restaurants and the various attractions that Victoria Falls has to offer.

The central location not only provides easy access to the famous waterfalls but also to the border and other tourist hotspots. Moreover, the secure property with 24/7 guard service enhances the sense of safety for visitors. The hostel itself offers a delightful ambiance with friendly staff, a large garden and a welcoming pool area ideal for relaxation.

The convenience of this location is further highlighted by its accessibility to public services and transportation, making it a practical base for exploring the area. Guests have consistently emphasized the exceptional geographical location with many stating that everything they needed was just a short walk away. This includes various amenities and services, enhancing the overall travel experience.

In summary, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge offers a superbly convenient and central location, ideal for travelers keen on exploring Victoria Falls and its surrounding attractions.

Breakfast
The breakfast at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls receives a generally positive reception from guests. The food quality is often praised with vegan options available and a range of tasty and hearty dishes highlighted, including a Full English breakfast and delicious bacon and eggs. Guests appreciate the dining service operating from morning until 10 PM, offering a variety of food throughout the day on the property's restaurant. Coffee served with breakfast also leaves a favorable impression.

However, there are some points of contention among the guests. Many feel that breakfast should be included in the room rate or at least offer free coffee and tea, as it is currently not complimentary. The a la carte breakfast, while described as OK, is considered by some to be somewhat overpriced for the quality provided. The breakfast ordering and payment system is noted to be slow and slightly complicated by some reviewers.

Despite these criticisms, the common areas around the dining space receive positive remarks for their pleasant environment. Guests appreciate the helpfulness of the staff with other services like WiFi and transport arrangements, adding to the overall positive experience at the lodge.

Dinner
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge in Vic Falls boasts a well-regarded onsite restaurant, praised for its delicious and varied offerings. Guests highlight the convenience and affordability of the menu, which features excellent pizzas, tasty bar food and delightful breakfasts. Many reviewers found the food to be fresh, flavorful and of good quality, often exceeding their expectations.

The staff at the restaurant receive high marks for being helpful and providing fast service. The overall atmosphere is lively and enjoyable, adding to the positive dining experience. However, some guests do mention that the prices are on the higher side for a backpacker lodge with costs approximating those found in Western countries. Despite this, many feel the food provides good value for money with reasonable prices and generous portions.

In summary, while prices might be a bit steep for some, the majority of diners are satisfied with the excellent quality and taste of the food, the friendly and efficient service and the overall dining experience at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge.

Rooms
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls offers a range of rooms that cater to different preferences and budgets. Overall, guests find the accommodation clean and comfortable. Many appreciate the large, comfortable beds, often equipped with mosquito nets. The rooms, whether private or shared, tend to be simple but effective, providing basic amenities necessary for a short stay.

Some guests highlight the spacious rooms and bathrooms, noting good water pressure in the showers and a generally well-planned layout of the facilities. The lodge also features relaxing communal areas, including a large area with a pool, which adds to the inviting atmosphere.

However, a consistent observation is that many rooms are quite small, especially the dorm rooms and some private rooms. The limited space can feel cramped and the lack of air conditioning can make the rooms hot, particularly at night. Privacy may be lacking in tents and the proximity can result in noise disturbances during events or parties.

Though the overall maintenance and cleanliness of the rooms receive positive remarks, some facilities appear a bit tired with sporadic reports of unclean bathrooms and shabby sheets. Despite these downsides, the lodge is generally seen as offering good value for money, especially for a short stay near Victoria Falls.

Beds
At Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge in Vic Falls, the beds have garnered a range of feedback, but the overall impression leans positively. Guests frequently highlight the comfort of the beds, describing them as comfortable, very comfy and even super comfortable. The presence of mosquito nets on the beds is appreciated for adding an extra layer of comfort and protection. The dormitory beds come equipped with curtains and power sources, enhancing privacy and convenience. Reporting clean beds and praising the lovely and comfortable sleeping arrangements, some guests also mention the joy of big beds, particularly admiring those equipped with mosquito nets and four-poster designs.

However, the reviews are not without criticism. Some guests find the dormitory mattresses too soft or worn, causing a dip in the middle and there is also a mention of the dorm being very small. While the experience of sleeping in a tent was mentioned as unique, a few travelers found the beds and mattresses to be uncomfortable. Overall, though, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge appears to have made a notable effort to ensure a good night's sleep for most of its visitors.

Cleanliness
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls generally receives positive remarks for its cleanliness. Guests often note that rooms, tents and common areas are kept clean and inviting. The property’s commitment to maintaining hygiene is evident with mentions of spotless sheets, well-kept facilities and clean showers. Visitors appreciate the daily cleaning service and the cleanliness of spaces such as the pool, despite occasional comments that it could look more inviting for a swim.

However, feedback about the bathrooms is mixed. While many guests find them clean, others feel they could be improved and maintained more regularly. Specific complaints about the bathrooms include issues with outdated facilities, small sinks, sandy floors and showers not functioning properly at times. Despite these concerns, the cleaning staff receive praise for their efforts to keep the lodge tidy. Overall, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls is viewed as a clean and efficient place to stay, though there is some room for improvement in bathroom maintenance.

Staff
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls has received extensive praise for its outstanding staff, who are consistently described as extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating. Guests frequently highlight the kindness and professionalism exhibited by every member of the team, making visitors feel supported in all aspects of their stay. Specific mentions include Anne, who effortlessly manages tours and taxis and Angie, along with Innocent, who excels at reception.

The team is noted not just for their efficiency and organizational skills, such as prompt email responses and assistance with trip bookings and airport shuttles, but also for their warm and welcoming demeanor. The atmosphere created by the staff is friendly and relaxed, contributing to a vibrant community spirit where guests can easily connect with one another.

Overall, the staff at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls are credited with providing excellent service, maintaining a very clean environment and consistently being ready to help. This exceptional level of care has made a significant impression on the guests, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all visitors.

Wi-Fi
Visitors to Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls have mixed experiences with the Wi-Fi service. While some guests praised the Wi-Fi for being great, consistently working and even described it as fast and good in certain areas, many others found it less satisfying. Frequent issues included slow speeds, poor quality and an unreliable connection system that required daily password changes and frequent log-ins, especially frustratingly every 15 minutes. Wi-Fi does not extend to the dorm rooms and is notably weak in the tents, which are farther from the reception area. However, the main bar and pool area are highlighted as the places with the best connectivity. Overall, while there are pockets of good service, the consensus is that the Wi-Fi is in need of significant improvement.

Pool
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls boasts a delightful pool area frequently praised by guests for its cleanliness and inviting atmosphere. The pool, described as lovely, superb and even beautiful, provides a refreshing respite, especially after a day of exploring. It serves as a great spot to relax, cool off on hot days and socialize with other travelers. The surrounding garden is large and well-maintained, enhancing the overall experience. While some reviews mention occasional lapses in cleanliness, the general consensus highlights the pool as a superb place for both relaxation and meeting new people, augmented by a vibrant bar area that encourages mingling.

Outdoor Pool
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls offers an inviting outdoor space that enhances any stay at the property. The pool is consistently noted for being clean, beautiful and refreshing, making it an ideal spot for relaxation after a day of exploring the falls. The area surrounding the pool features a spacious and attractive garden, perfect for unwinding throughout the day. Guests enjoyed the pool at different times, finding it lovely to swim in the morning and evening.

The overall environment around the pool and bar area provides a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, perfect for socializing with fellow travelers and locals. The atmosphere is complemented by the helpful and friendly staff, contributing to the great vibe of the lodge. Despite occasional remarks about cleanliness, the pool area remains a celebrated amenity, offering relaxation and an opportunity for connections in a picturesque setting.


Yes, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls.

No, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls.

No, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls doesn't have a gym.

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