鞋帶背包客(Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls)

Great place. Nice bar by the pool, super friendly staff. Rooms are clean and comfortable.

Before I spent Friday night at Shoestrings, I thought it was amazing and had only a shining review to leave. I had a bad issue with the music but there’s also many great things about Shoestrings, please scroll down to pros to read. PLEASE READ: Friday and Saturday SHOESTRINGS IS A CLUB!!! You can not escape the music, it is so loud that it woke me up at 23:30 In my tent all the way in the back. So that no one thinks I’m exaggerating, I attached an image of a sound meter from our tent and it is reading as loud music. The thing is I love clubbing and would have really enjoyed participating if I had known. But instead I booked an early activity through Shoestrings Friday and Saturday morning. No one said “hey that’s pretty early for Saturday, Friday night is is our party night you might not be able to sleep” or I would have adjusted accordingly. There was no mention of this on their website either. In fact the website says that Shoestrings is for all types of travelers of every age including families. So what happened when I was woken up at 11:30 was I talked to the staff and they said boss refused to even turn down the music a little because it would “kill the vibe”. The staff offered me a different room but it was equally loud. They told me the music would stop at 1:00am but it didn’t. I went to complain again and the boss did apologize and offer some compensation but anyway music wasn’t turned down until 1:20. The boss did say that he would update the website to read that loud music would be played late on Friday and Saturday so hopefully he does that. Update: it has been more than a month later and there’s no update. So basically I’m so disappointed because I could have partied with them but Instead was in hell trying to sleep in a club, got 4 hours of sleep and was exhausted on a super expensive trip. I’m also really disappointed that the owner did not keep his word and update the website. PROS Other than the music issue I loved staying at Shoestrings. The location is superb. The staff were nice and extremely helpful. The shared area is clean, decorated with beautiful artwork, has a nice pool and small playground for kids. I booked the tent and it was very comfortable and had good privacy and circulation. The shared bathrooms are fine, lots of mosquitoes but it’s not really the owners fault. It’s very affordable. The food is good, there’s vegan options and the price is competitive with nearby restaurants. Tuesday there’s an excellent local dance performance. The staff is helpful for questions about activities and how to book them. If they update the website and warn people about the music it’d be perfect. I decided to leave Vic Falls a day early because I wanted to actually sleep and I saw a lot of Families and older couples were staying at Shoestrings for Saturday night, I’m sure they don’t know about the music so good luck to them. It’s a huge lack of communication. In conclusion: If you want to party until 1:00 Friday and Saturday then I absolutely recommend shoestrings, it would be so fun. If you want to wake up early for Safari or like to sleep early in general stay Sunday-Thursday.

Прекрасное расположение - водопады на расстоянии получасовой, пешей прогулки. Самый бюджетный вариант с таким расположением. Зеленая территория. Жилая зона отделена от кафе калиткой. Бассейн расположен перед кафе. Небольшой, и хотелось бы, что бы его тщательнее чистили. Но после дневной жары - прекрасно, что он есть. Номер похож на фото, но учтите хороший объектив и поставленный свет! Если не ждать от хостела лоска дорого отеля. всё хорошо. Персонал приветлив, спасибо!

The reception was great at helping with tours. However, the AC shut itself off at night, which was unideal if you wanted to close windows to keep the insects out.

Первое о чем предупредили в отеле при заселении, что музыка будет до часа ночи... Вариантов естественно не было. В номере бетонный пол, ржавая раковина. Были убиты 2 таракана.

This is hotel but they don’t have common kitchen what is standard in another lodge we stay in region

Shoestrings must be under new ownership or management, as I'd say it's operating the best I've ever seen....and my first time staying at Shoestrings was in 1999, and I've visited Vic Falls almost every year since then (pre COVID) and made a point to drop in for a drink, primarily being nostalgic. So it was time to stay again, and I was very impressed with the current operation (just two things to work on, noted below). First, the lodge is fine for all ages, so don't think it's a youth hostel...it's a lodge. There were young, middle-aged, and older...and the vibe for everyone was comfortable and welcoming. Next, I have to give huge compliments to Ann, who works in the reception. Simply outstanding in every way; detailed in all arrangements requested (and any activity operator or even taxi service that didn't deliver well for her guests (us) got an earful from her; she even reprimanded the Immigration service for mishandling the entry visas for 2 guests and had them come to the property to refund and reissue the visas)....but most importantly she was sincerely caring for all of the guests, and was funny as well. Everyone is in GREAT hands being looked after by Ann!! So about the property... They keep it super clean. I was probably the first awake every day and would hang in the common area, and the cleaning was in full-swing by 6-630am when I would wander out to grab a coffee...I was very impressed by the commitment to keeping it clean, especially after they had an active night in the bar/common area. The main/font lounge area is a very relaxing where everyone is welcome. I ended up meeting 4 other solo travelers of various ages who quickly became "friends for life", and we ended up spontaneously traveling together for extended trips to Zambia and Botswana. It's just a great area to be social with other travelers, or just sprawl on the couch and chairs like I often did, when not with my newfound friends. Nice and very clean pool adjacent to the front lounge area. It was always too cold for me to try, but others were braver than me and looked to enjoy it. Maybe I wish they had more than one lounger to use and soak up some sun. I self catered camped, first time in my life. I was not very good at it, and didn't have the proper bedding for the freezing nighttime temperature....not surprisingly Ann came to the rescue and arranged extra bedding for me, with just a refundable deposit needed. Never felt my belongings were unsafe in the garden, though of course I also used a lock. Due to an extremely early bus departure the next day, and not wanting to deconstruct my tent at 430-5am, I did move into a dorm for my last night. I don't think I've stayed in a dorm for at least 2 decades, and was a bit apprehensive. But it was again a welcoming place to stay, had nice chats with the few others in the room, very comfortable beds/bedding, privacy curtains for each bed, and two fans for air circulation. Okay, are for improvement....the sha

'Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge"is a combination of various types of entertainment. It is partly a plush private club with a full fledged backpackers lodge and also a International playground for the young and young in mind. A real rocking and informal place with 5-star amenities and a goat named " CHICKEN" that leaves its droppings all over the palatial grounds as its official mascot. Theyn have a nice pool where i practiced my "Aqua Yoga" fitness therapy.The only drawback in this classic backpacker lodge in its cheapest dormitory accommodation is mosquitoes at night.