Curiocity Backpackers

​I’ve stayed here before and appreciated their service, but my visit on 23 September 2026 (checkout 24 September) was very disappointing. I was having issues with my banking app, so I asked a friend to book for me. A network error caused a duplicate booking for the exact same night, and both charges went through. ​I raised this at check-in around 23:00. Instead of showing empathy or helping resolve an obvious glitch, the receptionist brushed it off, stating it was non-refundable and pointing me to Booking.com. As someone with a background in customer service, I know this was an easy fix on their end. Holding onto a double payment for a single stay shows a complete lack of guest care. I won't be coming back.

Literally the worst hostel in the world, with the most horrible people ever working there. Never seen a hostel with literally everything possible that can be wrong going wrong. Out of 5 days that I stayed 4 was without electricity, no water at all, no toilet paper, no soap. So it was freezing cold inside, you couldn't simply wash your hands or flush the toilet after using it, no access to the kitchen, no WiFi, nowhere to charge your phone, etc... We would basically all just sit by the fire every day trying to get warm. Feels like a third world village in the very center of the city. The employees are constantly begging to order them food and buy drinks for them at their own bar. Specifically Vee was a memorable character because I had a situation with her where my phone had just been stolen outside the hostel and I came next morning to ask my roommate if I can use their phone to call my relatives but she was aggressively following me around and telling me I couldn't be on premises even for a second until I pay for another night. So I agreed to pay but then my card was getting declined due to the thieves who stole my phone making countless fraudulent transactions. She pretty much saw the entire situation and instead of being understanding while I figure out the problem intentionally tried to be even more horrible and kick me out on the street without anything. This only further added to my stress that day. Eventually I was able to pay and for the rest of the day all the employees just sat by the fireplace and laughed at me getting robbed. It is the happiest I've seen them all week. Overall when I look back at everything that happened it seems like a horror story, hard to believe.

The area around the hostel doesn’t feel very safe. Uber is needed everywhere which I understand isn’t unique to this place but is the case in J-burg in general. The hostel bar is however open to anyone and from there anyone can access the whole hostel which added to the feeling of not feeling safe even in the hostel. And you access the rooms with a code which could easily be handed out to anyone wanting to get into the rooms.. Also, we’re pretty sure there were bed bugs in the room since my partner woke up with new rashes after both of our two nights there.

Things I liked: - I had requested a bed in a 6-bed room, but they gave me a private room for all 4 nights, and I really appreciated that. Thank you very much. - The beds are very comfortable, and the room was clean when I arrived. - They have a well-equipped kitchen for cooking. - I had a tour for a safari and had to wake up at 4 AM because I was being picked up at 5 AM, and the person at the reception opened the hotel door for me to leave. - The lady on the reception was really friendly Things I didn’t like - The area where the hostel is located is very dangerous. I don’t recommend anyone going out. I stayed 4 nights, and I always bought all my food and water via Uber Eats, which worked quite well. - I had a very early tour, and I mentioned it to the receptionist the day before. I woke up at 4 AM because I was being picked up at 5 AM, and at 4:30 AM I heard someone trying to enter my room. It was the receptionist using my room code, entering without authorization and without knocking, allegedly to wake me up… but why didn’t they knock first? This made me feel like anyone could enter without permission. I always slept with a chair against the door out of fear that someone might come in at night while I was sleeping. - Your room code is known by several people, which is not safe. Always keep your belongings in the locker and carry valuables with you. - Even with a padlock on my locker, I never felt secure at the hotel. I always kept my passport and credit cards with me. I recommend doing this even if you have a locker with a padlock; it’s not safe. - The bar is an open space for the public, and different people can enter the hotel, which is connected to the rooms by a corridor. Therefore, it is not secure. Always lock your room door. ** If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in Johannesburg, with cleanliness and a comfortable room, this is your place. But if what matters most to you is safety and being able to walk around outside, I recommend staying somewhere else for a bit more money.