Friends Wild Coast — Hotel in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality

I hate to be negative on social media, but what we experienced at Friends Backpackers in December 2017/ Jan 2018 has left me with no choice. ||||The campsite is in a dire state - dirty, unsafe and unhygienic - the only toilet on the campsite was a filthy long drop, covered in urine and vomit, along with a constant swarm of flies. Toilet paper was also strewn all over the campsite, which we picked up in the end.||||The braai area is adjacent to this, so one can only imagine the smells that hang in the air as you try to cook your food. The only basin and tap for food preparation in the whole campsite is located inside the outdoor shower. Both of these drains were blocked, resulting in used water flowing downhill and collecting in a dirty pool around the fireplace.||||None of the facilities advertised were available to us - no fridge, washing facilities or flushing toilets. ||||Security was another major issue - The gate to the campsite was broken, and our cooler box was ripped open by pigs and other livestock that were free to wander into the area. There was also no security at night, except for a guard who we saw for a brief period on the night of the 31st of December. My friends had to intervene when a fight broke out between residents in the campsite. ||||We traveled far to be there (we live in Cape Town), after hearing how beautiful and enchanting Coffee Bay was. We came for a holiday, to relax, enjoy ourselves and recharge for the new year ahead, but instead we left feeling anxious and distressed. ||||We spoke to Linda, who I understand is the person in charge - who apologised for everything and claimed to be completely unaware of the foul state of the campsite - Linda then promised to refund us for our stay, but to date this has not happened. We have followed up numerous times but have received no response.||||Definitely think twice before booking a stay at Friends Wild Coast Backpackers. I’m not sure where all the people who gave 5 star reviews were staying, but clearly it was...

I hate to be negative on social media, but what we experienced at Friends Backpackers in December 2017/ Jan 2018 has left me with no choice.

The campsite is in a dire state - dirty, unsafe and unhygienic - the only toilet on the campsite was a filthy long drop, covered in urine and vomit, along with a constant swarm of flies. Toilet paper was also strewn all over the campsite, which we picked up in the end.

The braai area is adjacent to this, so one can only imagine the smells that hang in the air as you try to cook your food. The only basin and tap for food preparation in the whole campsite is located inside the outdoor shower. Both of these drains were blocked, resulting in used water flowing downhill and collecting in a dirty pool around the fireplace.

None of the facilities advertised were available to us - no fridge, washing facilities or flushing toilets.

Security was another major issue - The gate to the campsite was broken, and our cooler box was ripped open by pigs and other livestock that were free to wander into the area. There was also no security at night, except for a guard who we saw for a brief period on the night of the 31st of December. My friends had to intervene when a fight broke out between residents in the campsite.

We traveled far to be there (we live in Cape Town), after hearing how beautiful and enchanting Coffee Bay was. We came for a holiday, to relax, enjoy ourselves and recharge for the new year ahead, but instead we left feeling anxious and distressed.

We spoke to Linda, who I understand is the person in charge - who apologised for everything and claimed to be completely unaware of the foul state of the campsite - Linda then promised to refund us for our stay, but to date this has not happened. We have followed up numerous times but have received no response.

Definitely think twice before booking a stay at Friends Wild Coast Backpackers. I’m not sure where all the people who gave 5 star reviews on Facebook were staying, but clearly it was...

We booked the ensuite bathroom private bedroom (later dound out it was the honeymoon suite, please never book here for your honeymoon). Upon arrival Linda was very friendly, before showing us to the room she asked for us to settle our bill, which we did. and then wer saw the state of the backpackers. No sunlight, damp room with a broken mirror on the shower floor... sharp glass pieces everywhere. Mozzies bit us within seconds of just standing in the musty room. Toilet is under a staircase so you have to reverse in to the tiny hole to use the bathroom. And the loo is filled with plastic water bottles. The bedding was torn and had holes in. We immediately said we could stay in the room due to my allergies and the must and fungus in the old wooden room, the door lock with a padlock as the normal lock was broken off. The place is falling apart. Linda offered another room with a shared bathroom but its right next to the bar so would have never slept with the music and it was also smelling musty. We then asked if we could rather have a refund. At this point Linda dissapeared and we had to deal with her bulldog receptionist. They basically took half of the money we paid in full plus 20% per night and refunded as basically for 1 night. It was the rudest person and Linda knows the place is in a state. The chef was the only nice guy who invited us to have a free meal. But I would not book here due to the general state of the backpackers, no sunlight and the characters who work there. Also, they advertise fake room pictures on Booking.com. We were told Linda use to work at the Ocean Beach Lodge and took pictures from there and are advertising it on the Friends Backpackers web page and on booking.com. Please do not book here unless you have money to waste or a...