Forty 8 Backpackers — Hotel in City Centre

First off, checking in at reception, the receptionist had no idea whether the backpackers had a waiting room, where guests can hang around prior to check-in time. She suggested the bar since it was the only place with charge ports. Then some random guy had to tell me about dress code and that I needed to purchase something if I wanted to charge my laptop. So he requested that I leave, I did so and as I sat on a chair in a passage leading to reception, he left left the bar just to tell me, it's a none seating area (with couches and chairs mind you). We called the receptionist and she confessed that she was a trainee who didn't know much about the eastablishment and the barman was actually her "boss". So I left the backpackers till check in time. The story doesn't end there, the security guard who doesn't understand English is in fact the one who handles bookings and checkouts from nighttime till morning. Somehow I extended with one night online and he kept waking me up in the morning telling me it's checkout time I notified him that I had extended online on two different occasions and not once did he ask for proof. He waited till noon for the barman/manager to come pester me about proof of extension. In my honest opinion, this backpackers hires West-African immigrants who have absolute-zero idea on how to handle bookings and guests. There are much affordable and nicer backpackers in CPT, save yourself from the inconvenience. The place has no kitchen, no proper cutlery (zero spoons), no keys to the dorm room. No waiting area, so you have to find somewhere to be before check-in time. Moreover the wifi signal is poor in the dorms and trainee staff hold contradictory opinions to the manager on how...

I spent a week at Forty8 in August 2916 with a group of 15 university students while attending the 35th International Geological Congress at the Cape Town International Conference Center. I had small room with a double bed to myself, while the students stayed in dormitories. The hotel is ideally situated: an easy 15 minute walk from the CTICC, around the corner from the restaurants and clubs in Long Street, and a short drive to Table Mountain, the Waterfront and Sea Point. Off street and overnight parking is available in nearby parking garage at a reasonable rate. The lounge, kitchen, rooms and bathrooms were clean and comfortable. I found my room to be quiet at night.There is free WiFi in the lounge. The staff were friendly and helpful, in particular the host, LJ. All in all, a cost-effective and convenient...

Disgusting! The room I booked and paid for was NOTHING like the ones they advertised on their website which I accessed through AGODA bookings, who are so hard to reach and also offer questionable service. In the tiny PRIVATE room Forty8 tried to give me - smashed window blinds, stains and cigarette burns on bed linen, communal shower dirty, dirty scraping on wooden floor. I was so shocked I refused to stay there even one hour. Complained to reception who said I had to contact AGODA, which is very hard to do. This hotel was a total scammer as their rooms are NOTHING like their advertisements. I walked out and found alternative accommodation ten times better and at half the price! What a terrible experience and start to a holiday...