BUG Review
This is the nicest hostel in Cape Trib. The air-conditioned dorms are in lovely A-frame cabins with wheelchair access following a long winding pathway under rainforest canopy to a sandy beach. The dorms and bathrooms are clean and well maintained with good showers. There is a huge bar and bistro with a mellow, social ambience and pool tables and games, next to a lovely swimming pool with deck chairs. The communal kitchen is very small but clean and well equipped. Their tour desk can book any adventure activity in the area. There is also internet access and a laundry. The staff are warm and friendly.
Price Dorm bed $25 Double room $79-189 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards American Express,Diners Club,MasterCard,Visa
Reception Open 7.30am-7.30pm daily
Book Cape Tribulation Beach House
No booking fee when you book Cape Tribulation Beach House online through BUG
Pros:
only a few meters from the beach
Cons:
bad-informed receptionist
Johanna
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
A very nice atmosphere, little houses in between the big rainforest trees. A short nice walk to an unspoiled beach. We even saw a snake in front of our house at night time. The receptionist told us the wrong sunrise time - we were 1hour too early for sunrise!
Definitely worth going there!
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10482)
If you value your health & a good nights rest - AVOID!, December 20, 2005
Reviewer:
Dan A
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
Just stayed here (13 Dec 05). Initial impressions were good although you have to drive on a 3km unsealed road - this makes most hire car insuramce invalid.Unfortunately, due to uncleanliness under the fridge, we had a cockroach infestation. Not easy trying to sleep with giant cockroaches trying to cuddle up to you. I killed 17 in all during an unpleasant night...many others got away. This was not what i expected from the premium rate St Crispin cabin.In addition, after close the kitchen had rats in it. They crawled over the fresh fruit and cereals that were later out at breakfast. This explained the outbreak of stomach complaints amongst the resort guests.The staff, who were intially friendly and helpful, dealt with the complaints poorly. They kept replying "this is the rainforest, what did you expect?"...perhaps a clean room that didn't invite infestations of cockroaches. Other guests in the backpacker dorms were also dealing with serious bed bug bites.If you value your health, sanity and a good nights rest then avoid this place. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10483)
This location cannot be beaten, August 15, 2005
Reviewer:
lauramcrane@hotmail.com
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Forget Pks and Coconut beach. If you want real rainforest, this is soooo the place. I'm a 5 star-must have a hairdryer at all times-girl, and this place was fab. Not quite the ritz, but our room was literally 10 paces from the most amazing beach ever! Diving (or snorkling) with Rum Runner is a must. WOW. I have hundreds of photos it anyone is interested.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10484)
unique experience, but take it or leave it, July 26, 2005
Reviewer:
Amber and Adam
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
Cape Tribulation is definitely a must see, and although the Beach House has an ambiance that is earthy and unique, it is also an expense. The individual units (undine) have a musty odor and an abundance of spiders, but that's what you get in a rainforest i guess. If it is true what they say by "Location, Location, Location" than this is for you. The price of food is outrageous and if you stay here be prepared to eat here as the closest place to eat is about a 35 minute walk (unless you indulge in the plethora of green ants). As backpackers we were not too impressed when we had to pay $50 for dinner (although is was very tasty). For 2 pieces of toast in the morning expect to pay about $6. Ya, i know.Truly a unique and beautiful spot, and definitely a lot nicer than the other places to stay here. side note: my advice is to save your money and forget the night walk with Jungle. all we saw was a spider, a bug, and bird poop which our guide insisted on talking about for 15 minutes. Our guide made us walk the "Death Trail" and let me tell you...we almost lost every person at least once on this walk...way too dangerous!!! Definitely not worth the money!!!
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10485)
You haven't smelt anything like a Mackay Cabin, July 19, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
We stayed in the Mackay cabins for 2 nights in the dry season (July). The extreme smell of dampness and mould/dust in the room made it unfit for human habitation. Opening all windows failed to suppress the pong. We eventually slept with the fan and airconditioner on full, all windows open and an off feeling in our stomachs.For $130 per night management need to clean up their act. Cleanliness needs a lot of attention as it appears the dampness of the rainforest has permanently effected the Mackay Cabins. This was not isolated just to our room. Our friends in an adjoining Mackay Cabin also felt nauseous upon entry to their humble abode.In an amazing contrast, the chef prepared some sensational meals.
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10486)
Paying for the ambience here, spartan but lovely, April 12, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Stayed in the ribbon cabin over Easter break. While clean, very spartan for the price of $115AU nightly-overpriced. Meals were varied and reasonably priced for Bistro fare-$10-$18 Dinner. Tours are booked through/billed at the front desk,very convenient. Setting is lovely, serene and quiet. Location is not convenient without car, no stores, ATM within walking distance. Knowing the above items - would still recommend.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10487)
Nice setting, poor facilities, December 30, 2004
Reviewer:
fimbo1977
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
What I really liked about this place was the setting. The hostel consists of a series of wooden huts in the midst of rainforest above the beach at Cape Trib. You won't quite find anywhere like it.However, the rooms themselves were cramped and small, without any aircon, and the bathrooms, being outside, were full of all sorts of creepy crawlies. I'm not generally frightened of spiders, but I am not expert enough on them to know if the large one in the shower was of the dangerous variety or not.The kitchen I tried to make some lunch in was too basic to be able to do much. There is a reasonably good bar which also serves heaps yummy vegetarian lasagne amongst many culinary delights, but its not on the cheap side.While not perfect I'd still recommend this hostel is going to Cape Trib for the genuine rainforest experience you'll get. I met a good bunch of people there in just 1 night and had a nice time. You don't tend to get the moronic drunken kind of backpackers there either.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10488)
Get away from it all!, June 3, 2004
Reviewer:
binkyb
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Stayed three nights in Ribbon cabin - double ensuite with aircon. $115 per night. Room - spotlessly clean and spacious. Fresh towels every day. Cabin surrounded by rainforest and 2 mins from the beach so can't get much better than that for secluded! Romantic, picturesque location.Bistro was at the upper end of a backpackers budget but the food was fantastic, huge portions and very yummy. Make sure you try the puddings! Facility to have all bistro meals and internet charges added to bill which is convenient as there are no ATMs. Staff were friendly and approachable.Fabulous place to chill out, sunbathe, look at wildlife and forget about all your worries. Not recommended for those who need TV and 24hr partying.
5 of
5 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10489)
AMAZING PLACE, May 12, 2004
Reviewer:
coollamu
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I found it really good,even though i was travelling by myself and there wasn't much going on there,especially if it's raining all the time.I was in one of the cabin which was spotless and cleaned everyday.The location was just amazing, in the middle of the forest, right in front of the beach.I would suggest this place to a group of friends, or couples as it is quiter then the other places.Do the horse riding and night forest walk tourThe restaurant is not that expensive as they say,you can have lunch or dinner+glass of wine for 20$
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 10490)
So and so, August 20, 2003
Reviewer:
hellospenk@hotmail.com
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
The location is great, but the basic double rooms, whose cost is 70 Aud (which is NOT cheap) are very small, with no place even to put the luggage.One of the 2 receptionists, blonde with short air, was rude and unfriendly. She gave her best when refusing to book for us a horse ride with a company mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide, since the one organized by the resort was fully booked already.
