Budget Shared Bathroom Single Room
- 1 Single bed
Hostel · Cape Town · Western Cape
Urban Hive Backpackers
A heritage hostel on Cape Town's liveliest street, offering clean shared rooms, a sociable balcony bar, and easy access to the city's nightlife and attractions.
- Right on Long Street, the city's party hub
- Well-equipped shared kitchen and spacious balconies
- Free Wi-Fi and helpful staff
7.3
Very good
962 reviews
Booking.com 7.3 · 962 reviews
About
Urban Hive Backpackers
Urban Hive Backpackers occupies a heritage building on Long Street, placing you in the middle of Cape Town's most energetic nightlife district. The hostel keeps things social with a bar on the balcony, a lounge with board games and a TV room, and a shared kitchen where guests can cook their own meals.
Rooms range from budget singles and twins to mixed and female-only dorms, with shared bathrooms kept in good order. Free Wi-Fi covers the property, and the staff are known for being friendly and organised — several reviewers mention the help with tours and the welcoming atmosphere.
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Much-loved central location — Guests repeatedly praise the address on Long Street, right in Cape Town's entertainment district and close to bars, restaurants, and main sights.
- Clean and sociable communal spaces — The shared kitchen, lounge, and balconies are kept in good order, and the balcony bar is a favourite spot for socialising and people-watching.
- Helpful and friendly staff — The team is repeatedly described as welcoming, organised, and available for tour assistance, making it easy for guests to plan their stay.
- Free and reliable Wi-Fi — Several reviews call the Wi-Fi fast and strong throughout the property, a practical bonus for travellers.
–
Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Street noise on Long Street — Being on the party street means the buzz carries into the night. Some guests noted traffic and nightlife noise, though several still slept well.
- Shared bathrooms only — All rooms at Urban Hive have shared bathroom facilities, which may not suit travellers wanting private en-suite options.
- Adults-only policy — The hostel does not accommodate children, so it is not a fit for families travelling with kids.
- Score below area average — With a 7.3 rating against Cape Town's average of 8.1, expectations should be set for a lively, budget-focused stay rather than a quiet, polished hotel.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Shared Bathroom Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Female only
- 1 Bed in shared room
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
Budget Shared Bathroom Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,1 King-size bed
Deluxe Shared Bathroom Double Room
- 1 King-size bed
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
Food & Drink
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Outdoor dining area
- Picnic area/ Tables
- BBQ facilities
- Shared kitchen
- Welcome drink
- Vending machines
Services
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Luggage storage
- Safe deposit box
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Car hire
Common Areas
- Terrace
- Sun terrace
- Garden furniture
- Patio
- Leisure/ TV room
- Game room
- Board games
- Fireplace
Safety & Security
- 24-hour security
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Key card access
- Key access
Other
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- ATM/Cash machine
- Paid airport shuttle
- Ironing facilities
- Entertainment
- Hiking
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 7.3/10 from 962 reviews
Booking.com · 7.3 · 962 reviews
7.3Verified guest“The dorm was clean and spacious, with a well-equipped kitchen and big balconies. The central location made it easy to explore the city, and the Wi-Fi was strong. Despite the street noise, I managed to sleep. I'd recommend this hostel to budget travelers looking for a lively vibe.”
7.3Verified guest“Great location on Cape Town's party street. Clean and comfy beds, free and fast Wi-Fi, and a well-equipped kitchen. Staff were helpful with tours. The balcony bar is beautiful and there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby. The lounge area is spacious and comfortable.”
7.3Verified guest“Great value – the room was clean, neat, and felt homely. The location is perfect, right in the heart of the city, and the staff were super friendly and accommodating.”
7.3Verified guest“Fantastic stay! The dorm was clean and I had it all to myself. The shower had great water pressure. Staff were welcoming and organized, and they even spoke French. Long Street was bustling but I slept peacefully. The bunk had unique stairs and the bar and balcony were perfect for people-watching. Room 13 was lovely – a short but happy experience.”
7.3Verified guest“Amazing atmosphere that made me feel right at home. Staff, workers, and long-term guests created a warm welcome. The hostel was exceptionally clean and the furniture and building had a cool, unique vibe. I can't express how much I enjoyed it – thank you, Urban Hive!”
7.3Verified guest“Unrivalled location on the iconic party street, incredible balcony with an in-house bar for the perfect party atmosphere. Clean, well-maintained facilities including bathrooms, toilets, and kitchen. Easy access and privacy even after party hours.”
04 — Location
Getting around Cape Town
The property sits in Cape Town.
Where you are: On Long Street, Cape Town's entertainment district. You're surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shops, and within a 12-minute walk of the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village. The city's main sights are within walking distance, and there's a bus stop close by for getting around.
208 Long Street, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8000, South Africa
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 13:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 50 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 13:00 to 23:59. Check-out is by 10:00.
Is parking available?
Yes, there is parking nearby and the hostel provides a car park for guests. It's listed under the property's amenities.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at Urban Hive Backpackers.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and many guests have praised the connection as fast and reliable.
Are there any private rooms or is it all dorms?
There are private options, including a Budget Shared Bathroom Single Room, a Budget Shared Bathroom Twin Room, and a Deluxe Shared Bathroom Double Room, alongside mixed and female-only dorms.
Is the hostel suitable for families with children?
No, the hostel is adults only, so it does not accommodate children.
The bottom line
Urban Hive Backpackers delivers exactly what its name promises: a lively, heritage backpackers in the thick of Cape Town's nightlife. Clean facilities, a sociable balcony bar, and genuinely helpful staff make it a strong pick for budget travellers who want to be where the action is. Just pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
7.3Best for social budget travellers, not for light sleepers.
Ready to book Urban Hive Backpackers?
Tap through and we’ll open our booking partner’s site, with live prices and availability for your exact dates.
No payment on this site — you complete the booking on our partner’s site.