The Beach Lodge Backpackers, Cape Town, South Africa

Hang ten for a while at The Beach Lodge . . . after all, how often do you find seaside accommodation at budget prices? Located in a 3-storey Edwardian building with rooms overlooking Surfer's Corner, rolling waves, miles of beach and the vast sweep of False Bay, you could be forgiven for feeling as though life were a seaside holiday!

On the ground floor are restaurants and shops where you can hire a surfboard or hang out with the locals and across the road is one of Cape Town's most popular surf spots and the endless white sands of Muizenberg's Blue Flag beach. Life couldn't seem easier!

On the 1st floor we have a full-length balcony that gives a spectacular vantage point from which to view the activities in the bay - surfers, dolphons, boats and ships and of course, the Southern Right whales, that normally arrive from late June.

The Beach Lodge is a grand old building that is protected under the National Historical Society. In its time it has housed outfitters, drapers and a society tearoom.

Today, the guest accommodation occupies the spacious rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors

From Cape Town

Get on to De waal drive and head towards the southern suburbs on the M3. This hugs the mountain slopes through Newlands, Constantia, Tokai until you get to the end of the M3 (25km). Turn left at the lights towards Muizenberg and then right at the next. Follow the road for almost 2km and turn left at the traffic lights into Atlantic Road (this is just past a shopping complex and carpark) as you enter Muizenberg Drive approx 300m and turn right into Beach rd (just before the pyramid - shaped building) turn right. You can't go any further as the sea is right in front of you. Continue slowly, as the promenade is busy with surfers etc, until you get to the last building on the right - the Big Mustard one. You are here!

From Cape Town International Airport : 30 km

Take the N2 motorway - towards Cape Town - until one sees signs for the M5 towards the Southern Suburbs and Muizenberg.

Continue on the M5 as far as it goes, to the end of Prince George Drive and turn right at the circle along the beachfront until one reaches beach road, turn left after the pyramid-like roofed bldg - heading straight for the sea now - then turn right and go slowly along the promenade among the surfers,amblers,dogs etc - at the end is a large mustard building on the right of the large circle.

That's us. Go through the wrought iron gate,up the stairs & you can put your bags down & your feet up!

Alternate Route From Cape Town International Airport

You can also take the very scenic route that hugs the mountain

Take the N2 from the airport until you see signs for the M3 that goes towards Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens, southern suburbs and Muizenebrg . Follow M3 to the end and then turn left towards Muizenberg. Turn right at the following traffic lights. Continue to the 2nd set of lights past Zandvlei and turn left into Atlantic Road. Go under the rail bridge for about 300m and turn right into Beach road - you are heading straight for the sea - follow directions as above.