BUG Review
This hostel is a bit farther from town and the beach, and consequently quieter. It’s a small place with bare dorms and average bathrooms, all curving around little courtyards and gardens. The kitchen is small but well equipped, and the common area/TV lounge is comfortable and packed. If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay, this is a good deal as there is still a convivial atmosphere and it’s a lot cheaper.
Price Dorm bed $20-29 Double room $55-80 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards MasterCard,Visa
Reception Open 9am-1pm & 5pm-9pm; late check-in with prior arrangement
We stayed at Cape Byron Lodge for four or so nights last year and to be honest I could understand some of the qualms people had with the place - there was a cockroach problem, and to deny it is just stupid, the kitchen can be somewhat manic and yes, the manager is slightly wayward.On the other hand though, this is Byron Bay, probably the most chilled of all places up the East Coast, therefore standards are not going to be brilliant - but who cares anyway..... The pool was really nice and chilled after a hot day in the sun, the free and friendly bus service is a god send and there are some interesting DVDs to be seen (after reminding the guy a couple times)! My greatest critisicm is never experiencing free pancakes....
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(Review ID: 8959)
laid back, atmosphere is through the roof, owners rock, April 28, 2005
Reviewer:
Jay
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I dont know what some of these people are talking about. Maybe they should be staying at the Hilton. Not enough bathrooms? I never had a problem in the 2 months that i stayed there. Maybe you shouldnt be prettying yourself up for an hour and plan a better schedule. This hostel was the highlight of my 6 months in aussie. Everyone is so helpful and i met the best people of my trip at CBL. There wasnt a cockroach problem, and it sounds to me that the people giving the hostel a bad rep are just too high maintenance. Get a grip, the hostel is rockin and chilled out all at once. shout out to Richard, Simone, Dave, and all the boys.
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(Review ID: 8960)
Crap location, no atmosphere, cockaroaches paradise, March 30, 2005
Reviewer:
Joanna
( joannaeurope@yahoo.com)
from Sydney, Australia
Pros:
n/a
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Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
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(1)
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Stayed at this hostel for the Blues & roots festival because it was the very last place in town that wasn't completely booked out, and we certainly found out why.. The owner is one of the more unpleasant people you'll ever meet, don't think he cares much for the place because I think he's selling it if the 'for sale' sign outside the property is any indication... The rooms are cockaroach ridden, so if you're not into waking up with about 5 of them crawling around your bed then I'd probably give this place a miss. The beds are really horrible, two in my room had broken slates to make for a really uncomfortable sleep. Also the bathrooms looked worse than the local scungy public toilets. The other thing that made me mad was that they had 5 day booking/no refund policy over the Blues and Roots festival, and we spoke to about 3 people who only wanted to stay for 1 night but were forced to pay for 5. And then the owner had the nerve to sell a few of those beds to more people. So as you can imagine there were a fair few pretty unhappy chappies. Of course, all of the above wouldn't matter too much if the place had some decent character and atmosphere, but this too was lacking.So if you're even the slightest bit picky about where to stay (which you probably are if you're reading this :) )then I'd suggest staying elsewhere. However, I'd like to add that Byron Bay is an incredible place, so if for some reason you do end up staying here, then it will probably be the only bad part of the trip!
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(Review ID: 8961)
Laid back, no worries, pot smokers paradise, November 17, 2004
Reviewer:
flaman
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This was the greatest hostel i've ever had the privelage of staying at. Water Dragons, possums and leamers in the backyard for a real rainforest experience. And after sufficient beer funnels and bong rips the owner can throw a very impressive party. If you want the real no worries experience, Cape Byron Lodge is a must stay destination for your trip to Byron Bay
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(Review ID: 8962)
the best hostel in byron bay, November 16, 2004
Reviewer:
bongzilla
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
i think the people posting below are all old people or nerds who dont know how to have fun...if you want to have a good time (why else would you be in byron bay) .... check out cape byron.... its non-stop good times. its out of town a little, yes... but theres a free shuttle bus, bikes, and its a 10 minute walk to town if you're desparate.... this is the small price to pay for being on the edge of a beautiful rainforest....as for the cool people out there who are down..... its alllllllll good herewe stayed at cape byron for 2 weeks and we are going right back as soon as we can...... we had the greatest time of our lives at this placebooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong
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(Review ID: 8963)
Not worth any further consideration, November 7, 2004
Reviewer:
wal
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(1)
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Not only the furthest of all places from town but also unreliable.Took and confirmed our booking over the phone,cancelled our booking by email prior to departure and then rang us 2 days later asking where we are! Thanks god this place is up for sale.
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(Review ID: 8964)
Please, please look elsewhere., June 3, 2004
Reviewer:
binkyb
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
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(1)
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(1)
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Stayed 2 nights in a double ensuite room with aircon. $60 a night.Where shall I start? Room was dirty, smelly and not for the fainthearted when it comes to insects. Ensuite didnt look like it had seen bleach or a scrubbing brush since it was put in! Room was at rear of hostel next to laundry (obvious noise from machines) and we had to clamber through muddy grass to get there. There was no decent lighting by the room so you can imagine the difficulties in the dark!The owner was most unapproachable and paid no interest in helping us organise our time in Byron. I was most dismayed to find he had my credit card details (i had booked over the phone) on view in a book/diary in reception that was readable by anyone who cared to.Definitely get what you pay for with this hostel. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
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(Review ID: 8965)
you get what you pay for, May 10, 2004
Reviewer:
Clicky
Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
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we stayed in this hostel because it's the cheapest here, so don't expect too much...there are cockroaches everywhere (but only little ones!!) and the bus door is STILL broken! the whole place could do with a proper clean!! but the TV lounge is nice, as is the swimming pool. i'd reccomend it for the price, but you really do only get what you pay for.
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(Review ID: 8966)
reasonable price, April 14, 2004
Reviewer:
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
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(3)
This hostel is the cheapest (official) hostel in Byron. It has a nice pool, the free bikes are a little bit crappy if you want to make it up to the lighthouse. The're not mountainbikes, but they are ok for just a ride to town. I know a lot of people don't like the cockroaches and the ants there. If you cant stand them, don't go here!! You will find them crawling everywere, including (near/in) your bed. The 10 bed dorm are quite small. CBL has a nice common room though, with nice movies everynight. The owner, Richard is the worst part of the hostel. Not very helpfull, all the time in a bad mood, and there's always something your doing wrong (i worked there for a few weeks). The guy behind the reception, Emmet, is a nice guy.Still, it is the cheapest, and that is for some travellers the #1 reason they go there. I payed 108 dollars per week, and that is in a 10 bed dorm. Free pancake breakfast and free cockroaches included.
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(Review ID: 8967)
not a returner, April 4, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
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as relaxed as it is, it has a cockroach problem and lack of toilets problem. I stayed in a double room with some big ass spiders and non working fan, it was bloody hot. Kitchen needs more utilities and bigger space. Toilets are a shame as well. WOn't be staying there next time I'm in Byron.
