Good to know: Villa Viva Cape Town used to be called The Backpack.
We are Hostelgeeks, your independent shortcut to the worlds best hostels.
All hostels we introduce you to, fit the transparent criteria of a 5 Star hostel-typed accommodation.
We wrote a huge guide to the best hostels in Cape Town, as well as an ultimate guide to the best hostels in Johannesburg for South Africa’s capital city.
Further north you can explore the best hostels in Zanzibar as well as the best hostels in Arusha, both in Tanzania.
Here we compare the 5 Star Hostel with Boutique and Party Hostels.
A complete guide to stay in fun backpacker hostels for all types of travellers.
Before we start, pack smart…
Remember to pack accordingly for staying in a hostel – yet, do not overpack.
Here’s our full packing list, including Noise-Cancelling ear plugs and your padlocks.
Villa Viva Cape Town – Review
Villa Viva Cape Town Hostel has a solid philosophy…
“We believe in the power of togetherness and joyful collaboration and activity.”
Therefore, bring your dancing shoes with you as there’s plenty of opportunity to have fun here.
Take a swim in their swimming pool with stunning views of Table Mountain, and relax in this stylish hostel with its contemporary design.
Take your pick of various rooms, ranging between male and female dorms, private or family rooms, with or without private bathrooms.
Villa Viva Cape Town spreads over 4 Victorian houses with high ceilings, wooden floors and tin pressed ceilings in one of the houses.
Alright, let us have a look why Villa Viva Cape Town is your top choice in the city.
1. Sustainable, Green, Social
Villa Viva Cape Town Hostel constantly strives to reduce and reuse in all areas of the business and to uphold and improve their green practices.
The best and most geeky part (Hostelgeeks loves this!) of these green practices: They receive a monthly breakdown of what they have recycled, and the impact of it.
Supporting Viva Con Agua Initiative
Villa Viva contributes to the Viva Con Agua water-related projects which has a vision of “WATER FOR ALL – ALL FOR WATER”.
In fact, they are the new creative hub and home for VcA in South Africa!
“We are active for social projects in a joyful manner.
We do not only create an impact through our water projects, but also want to create meaningful experiences for everybody who supports and joins VcA.”
So far Villa Viva have supported 3 Mio people with water sanitation and and hygiene.
Super cool: The majority of Vill Viva’s profits go straight into the W.A.S.H projects!
Social Charity Events
To help with generating funds for the above inititiave, the team at Villa Viva come up with plenty of fun activities to get the good times rolling.
“Villa Viva is a Guest House, a fresh, innovative social business, meeting and networking platform to share and express, creative work, social projects and celebrating life.”
2. Contemporary Design with South African Charm
The owners of Villa Viva Cape Town wanted to keep the design aesthetic local and South African as possible.
Inspiration was drawn from the beautiful city of Cape Town and its fusion of cultures, colors, authentic fabrics, inspirational and imperfect street art.
Another inspiration was its rich biodiversity of indigenous animal and plant life.
All in harmony to create a space that breathes soul, creativity, positive energy and most importantly sustainability, which is the driving force behind all that Villa Viva does.
The aim was to create a welcoming and unique space for travelers that epitomizes the heart and soul of the beautiful city of Cape Town.
Just some of the epic amenities include:
- Chillout area (Netflix, books etc)
- Tsitsikama Garden
- Devils Peak BAR
- MAKERS Space – express yourself with art!
3. Unique? Social Responsibility
We love the luxurious comfort that comes with this 5 Star Hostel: the swimming pool, the clean and beautiful designed rooms, and the outstanding, welcoming staff.
Even more important than being a great a hostel, the people at Villa Viva choose to make a difference.
The eco-friendly installations, the social projects plus the support of local economy, brings together all 3 pillars of sustainability.
Be part of Villa Viva and leave your travel destination as a better place.
4. Conscious and inviting – your social spot!
The atmosphere is inviting, and friendly.
Whether you want to take a swim in the swimming pool with great views of Table Mountain, or have a game of pool with your fellow travelers, Villa Viva Cape Town Hostel is a social spot offering the cosines of a home and the luxury of a 5 Star Hostel.
Travelers of all ages are more than welcome.
After a long day of tours, excursions, and sports, this hostel is the best spot to end a fantastic day in Cape Town in an appropriate way.
And if you feel hungry, don’t worry.
Just get a delicious sandwich at the hostel’s bar.
Safes and Luggage Storage
Many great hostels offer this service of luggage storage and so does Villa Viva Cape Town. The luggage storage comes with an extra fee. The cool part: If you are planÂning to go out of town for a few days, you can store your lugÂgage for R20 per day. Ask the reception!
All private rooms come with a safe with your own code (no keys needed here) and there are additional safes free of charge around the hostel.
Most dorms also have lockers for your luggage. As always we recommend to bring your own lock.
Read: the perfect hostel packing list.
In this list we also review backpacks and recommend suitcases and such. Have a look.
5. 100% Local Tips and an own Travel Desk
The Reception and Travel Desk at Cape Town Backpackers is open daily from 7am until 10pm.
The friendly staff will arrange transport, book day tours, overland safari’s, car rentals, recommend excursions and restaurants.
Also, don’t be shy and ask anything you need to know about Cape Town – they will give you 100% local recommendations for their beautiful city.
Good to know: Ask Villa Viva staff about the Bursary Fund and Community Projects.
You can even take part and donate your key deposit. Choose to make a difference!
