How Axel worksAxel's lowest rate seen for THE BIG Luxury Backpackers: $43 a night all in, Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026. Seen Oct 9.
3-star hotel · 18 Thornhill Road, Cape Town
Smoke-free property · Ticket assistance · Gift shop · Garden · Terrace · Outdoor furniture · No elevators · Reception desk · Non-smoking rooms · Room service · Family room · Locker
Hotels in Cape TownA boutique backpacker hostel with dorms and private rooms in Green Point
9.2/10
An excellent hostel for comfort, friendly staff and relaxed company rather than nonstop partying.
THE BIG is a boutique backpacker hostel in Green Point, not a luxury hotel despite the name. It's an excellent pick for travelers who want hostel sociability without sacrificing cleanliness or comfort. Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Expedia guests consistently praise the welcoming staff, well-kept rooms and helpful activity recommendations. Private rooms broaden its appeal beyond backpackers, while included breakfast, communal spaces and an outdoor pool make it easy to settle in and meet people.
The atmosphere leans relaxed rather than party-heavy, and recent guests note that quieter periods can feel less social. Breakfast is simple, with guests preparing their own eggs. Green Point puts cafes and the Waterfront within reach, but budget for ride-hailing when exploring farther afield or returning after dark. We'd skip it if you want full-service hotel facilities or a reliably lively party hostel.
Axel's opinion, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews, scored for what the hotel is. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Tripadvisor · Expedia. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.
$120 a night with Axel; Expedia listed $114 a night for these dates when seen.
Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) · refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$146 a night with Axel; Expedia listed $139 a night for these dates when seen.
Economy Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability, external private bathroom) · refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Dec 11 to Dec 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$121 a night with Axel; Expedia listed $120 a night for these dates when seen.
BASIC, KING BED · non-refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Jan 8 to Jan 10, 2027 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$159 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Superior Double room (full double bed) · refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Oct 24 to Oct 31, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$53 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Bed in Dorm (female dorm) (shared bathroom) · non-refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Oct 27 to Nov 3, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 13
Sign up free to book this rate$43 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Bed in Dorm (shared bathroom) · refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026 · 1 night · 1 adult · Seen Oct 9
Sign up free to book this rate$138 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) · non-refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Dec 11 to Dec 20, 2026 · 9 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$137 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) · non-refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Dec 12 to Dec 20, 2026 · 8 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rate$58 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates.
Bed in Dorm (female dorm) (shared bathroom) · non-refundable
Per night, all in, as a free account pays itRate for Dec 17 to Dec 20, 2026 · 3 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 11
Sign up free to book this rateSign up for free with just your phone number to book a stay at THE BIG Luxury Backpackers, or to check it for your own dates.
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Axel's lowest rate seen for THE BIG Luxury Backpackers: $43 a night all in, Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026. Seen Oct 9.
Axel is a travel agent that books hotels at private rates you will not find on the public booking sites. It is free to use: sign up with your phone number and an email address. This page lists every stay Axel has priced for THE BIG Luxury Backpackers in Cape Town in the last 7 days, each beside the public rate seen for the same dates. Sign up free to book one, or sign up free to check THE BIG Luxury Backpackers for your own dates.
An excellent hostel for comfort, friendly staff and relaxed company rather than nonstop partying. A boutique backpacker hostel with dorms and private rooms in Green Point, scored for what it is.
THE BIG is a boutique backpacker hostel in Green Point, not a luxury hotel despite the name. It's an excellent pick for travelers who want hostel sociability without sacrificing cleanliness or comfort. Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Expedia guests consistently praise the welcoming staff, well-kept rooms and helpful activity recommendations. Private rooms broaden its appeal beyond backpackers, while included breakfast, communal spaces and an outdoor pool make it easy to settle in and meet people.
The atmosphere leans relaxed rather than party-heavy, and recent guests note that quieter periods can feel less social. Breakfast is simple, with guests preparing their own eggs. Green Point puts cafes and the Waterfront within reach, but budget for ride-hailing when exploring farther afield or returning after dark. We'd skip it if you want full-service hotel facilities or a reliably lively party hostel.
Best for: Solo travelers seeking relaxed company; Couples wanting a private room with hostel atmosphere; Backpackers who prioritize cleanliness
Watch out for: Quiet periods can be less social; Simple, partly self-service breakfast; Ride-hailing useful for wider sightseeing
Location: At 18 Thornhill Road in residential Green Point, near cafes and roughly a 20-minute walk from the Waterfront.
Rooms: Dorms and private rooms; guests repeatedly praise comfortable beds and thoughtful decor.
Cleanliness: A standout strength across Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Expedia guest feedback.
Service: Warm, attentive staff earn consistent praise for local advice and organizing activities.
Amenities: Outdoor pool, shared kitchen, communal lounges, free Wi-Fi and included continental breakfast.
Fees and surprises: Airport transfers cost extra; Booking.com lists a refundable cash damage deposit.
Axel's opinion of THE BIG Luxury Backpackers, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Booking.com · Tripadvisor · Expedia. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.
Every stay Axel priced for THE BIG Luxury Backpackers within the last 7 days. Each rate is per night: the total for the stay shown, as a free account pays it, including any fee the hotel collects at check-in, divided by its nights, beside the public rate seen for the same dates and party, also per night. These are examples, not live inventory: sign up free and Axel checks live rooms and rates for those dates.
| Stay | Axel rate | Public rate | Difference | Seen | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 24 to Nov 26, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $120 a night · refundable · Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) | $114 a night on Expedia | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Dec 11 to Dec 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $146 a night · refundable · Economy Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability, external private bathroom) | $139 a night on Expedia | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Jan 8 to Jan 10, 2027 · 2 nights · 2 adults | $121 a night · non-refundable · BASIC, KING BED | $120 a night on Expedia | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Oct 24 to Oct 31, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult | $159 a night · refundable · Superior Double room (full double bed) | not seen | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Oct 27 to Nov 3, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult | $53 a night · non-refundable · Bed in Dorm (female dorm) (shared bathroom) | not seen | Seen Oct 13 | Sign up free to book | |
| Oct 31 to Nov 1, 2026 · 1 night · 1 adult | $43 a night · refundable · Bed in Dorm (shared bathroom) | not seen | Seen Oct 9 | Sign up free to book | |
| Dec 11 to Dec 20, 2026 · 9 nights · 1 adult | $138 a night · non-refundable · Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) | not seen | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Dec 12 to Dec 20, 2026 · 8 nights · 1 adult | $137 a night · non-refundable · Standard Double room (full double bed) (bed type is subject to availability) | not seen | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book | |
| Dec 17 to Dec 20, 2026 · 3 nights · 1 adult | $58 a night · non-refundable · Bed in Dorm (female dorm) (shared bathroom) | not seen | Seen Oct 11 | Sign up free to book |
Book a flight with Axel, then book a qualifying pay-now hotel through Axel within 23 hours, for a flight that departs at least 7 days out, and the flight gets cheaper. The hotel rate is non-refundable once booked. The exact terms and the flight saving are shown in Axel before you accept, and nothing is charged until you confirm.
Better travel prices with Axel. Axel compares the public rate on Expedia, Booking.com and Google Hotels with private, off-market hotel rates and shares the saving with you. Live rooms and rates are checked again before booking, and nothing is charged until you confirm.
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