We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Green Elephant Hostel Reviews, Cape Town, South Africa

All 159 Cape Town Central accommodations »

Green Elephant

57 Milton Rd | Observatory, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Hotel amenities
Green Elephant
11 traveller photos
Ranked #23 of 159 Speciality lodging in Cape Town Central
4.5 of 5 stars 33 Reviews
Enter dates & see best prices*
Show Prices
*from our partners
Write a Review

33 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    18
    9
    5
    1
    0
Date Rating
Cairns, Australia
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Excellent”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 March 2013 via mobile

I stayed in this hostel in 2006 and it was the best introduction to Cape Town I could ask for! Staff were really great and friendly it was lovely and clean and the rooms were spacious and comfortable! Easy to get around from here as we'll.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Altstätten, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The place to be!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 March 2013

Green Elephant in Observatory: my best address in Cape Town! First of all: friendly and very helpful staff, relaxed atmosphere, guests and staff mingle and become friends. Secondly: very charming house with open-air bar outside and swimming pool, pizza-special and other activities Thirdly: reasonable prices Fourthly: Observatory is the perfect suburb in Cape Town. 10 min. by minibus to the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The most helpful, friendly staff you could hope to find!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 March 2013

A wonderful hostel, which I would highly recommend. My boyfriend stayed here for a month whilst working at Groote Schuur hospital, then I came out to join him for a holiday at the end of his placement. The Green Elephant staff helped him book activities, took him out an showed him the sights and made it feel like home from... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Den Helder
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
“Clean but noisy”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2013

Was a nice place to stay for the night. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The house was noisy though and I had trouble getting to sleep at night. Whenever somebody walked up the stairs I could hear it. The room was clean and perfectly adequate.

Was this review helpful? Yes
USA
1 review
“Awesome place to stay!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 January 2013

The Green Elephant was the perfect place to stay for the group I traveled with. It has a fun atmosphere, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They were willing to organize transportation, order take-out, and provide information regarding places to eat and shop. The other guests were also very friendly and courteous. I would recommend the GE to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
1 review
“Most helpful Staff in cape town!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 January 2013 via mobile

Love this place, the best thing about it is the amazing staff who do practically everything for their guests. A home away from home, they know the city and are happy to bring you along. Other upsides are free wifi, location close to lower main roads many good value restaurants, parking available, excursions can be booked with them. If you... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Friendly people, but sometimes loud”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 December 2012

Depending on what type of hostel you're looking for this could be great. I was often looking for a quiet place to sleep and unfortunately found that challenging here. Usually the partying would stop at about 11:30pm-12:00am, except for one night where it lasted until about 3am. But if you do want to party you'll find a friendly atmosphere here.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Edmonton, Canada
Top Contributor
108 reviews 108 reviews
44 hotel reviews
Reviews in 57 cities Reviews in 57 cities
65 helpful votes 65 helpful votes
“Okay but could use a tidy up and more supervision”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 November 2012

We stayed at the satellite house down the street from the main GE house. First, the woman that worked there was wonderful - she was like everyone's house mother. And some of the other guests were equally wonderful - charming, engaging and helpful to us foreigners. In terms of facilities, the place itself was grimy and needed some deep and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by TravelFamily2012 for Cape Town Central
UK
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“EVERYONE MUST VISIT GREEN ELLIE!!!! FANTASTIC HOSTEL!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 October 2012

Dear all travellers who are looking into visiting Cape Town, PLEASE spend a few nights at the Green Elephant, in Observatory. What a secret treasure I found there! Initially I had wanted to stay at Obviouzly Armchair, however they were full & suggested I book into The Green Elephant down the road. Oh I am SO glad they did! Immediately... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
1 review
“The staff are what make this place.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 October 2012 via mobile

The room, features, internet, etc were all very good, but it is the staff of the Green Elephant that make this place top notch. Everyone was extremely friendly and went well above and beyond to help me book tours and offer tips of things to see and do around town. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
African Heart Backpackers
Great value on a similar hotel
African Heart Backpackers  
Cape Town Central, Cape Town
5 of 5 stars 42 Reviews
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Travellers also viewed these Cape Town Central hotels
Atlantic Point Backpackers
Atlantic Point Backpackers 5.0 of 5 stars 49 reviews
The Backpack
The Backpack 4.5 of 5 stars 187 reviews
Amber Tree Lodge
Amber Tree Lodge 5.0 of 5 stars 120 reviews
African Heart Backpackers
African Heart Backpackers 5.0 of 5 stars 42 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1837412?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d304257?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1806766?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1644890?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 121 hotels in Cape Town Central, ranked by popularity

Been to Green Elephant? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about Green Elephant

Also Known As:
Green Elephant Cape Town, South Africa
Address: 57 Milton Rd | Observatory, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Region: South Africa > Western Cape > Cape Town > Cape Town Central
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Kitchenette Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
Ranked #23 of 159 Speciality lodging in Cape Town Central
Price Range: $
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
En-suite, private room, dormitories and camping. BazBus Stop. The Green Elephant is the closest hostel to Groote Schuur Hospital, in the heart of Observatory, where University of Cape Town (UCT) students from all around the world live and meet each other. The attractions are pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, a golf driving range, the original Observatory, Groote Schuur Hospital (where the world's first heart transplant took place), theatres and small art galleries. The annual Obs Festival is held on the first Saturday in December. ... more   less 
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, HostelWorld, HostelBookers and Priceline so you can book your Green Elephant reservations with confidence. We help millions of travellers each month to find the perfect hotel for both holiday and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Green Elephant, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing

Related hotels...

  • Atlantic Point Backpackers
    Great Value!
    5 of 5 stars 49 Reviews
    Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1837412?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewedAboveFold
    Cape Town Central, Cape Town
    Atlantic Point Backpackers
  • The Backpack
    Great Value!
    4.5 of 5 stars 187 Reviews
    Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d304257?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewedAboveFold
    Cape Town Central, Cape Town
    The Backpack
  • Amber Tree Lodge
    Great Value!
    5 of 5 stars 120 Reviews
    Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1806766?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewedAboveFold
    Cape Town Central, Cape Town
    Amber Tree Lodge

Browse nearby

Hotels (121) | Restaurants (449) | Things to Do (260)
Green Elephant
57 Milton Rd Observatory
Cape Town Central
South Africa
Get Directions
What's Nearby:
Click map pins for more information.
Sponsor:

Explore Cape Town Central

Free Guide to Cape Town Central
Get your guide to the top local hotels, restaurants and things to do
The bar/pool area The "swimming" pool Zeltplatz view from upstairs balcony
Green Elephant Photos (11 traveller photos)

Hotels around Cape Town Central

Explore the world
Hotels
Sightseeing
Restaurants
Green Elephant
Enter dates & see best prices* (from our partners)
Show Prices