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Santos Express Train Lodge

Santos Beach - Mossel Bay, South Africa
+ reviews in all languages
anonymous, Belgium - Jan 08, 2019
76%
Sleeping in a different way. Nice. Very small dorms. Nice stay for a couple of nights.
anonymous, Norway - Sep 26, 2018
60%
Our expectations for Santos were quite high, so we were disappointed. The location is great and the concept is fun, but once that wears off, it is basically a tight medium-good hostel. Walls are paperthin, the shower and bathrooms are shared and the door to our cabin didnt close properly. There was no soap in the bathroom and barely hot water in the shower. There is only wifi in the restaurant, and we were not offered towels neither the opportunity to rent some. I am not saying it is horrible, but just know what you are booking and if you think the fun of the concept is worth it.
Mark, England - Mar 07, 2018
100%
Great experience and great location it is what it is but really good fun ,
Mathilde, France - Sep 13, 2017
90%
Very nice place and the location is great.

We traveled with my sisters in August so, winter and there was no heat. It was very cold in the dormatory so, take a jacket.

The view is great, everywhere in the train, you have the beach view!

anonymous, South Africa - Apr 03, 2017
100%
We've enjoyed our stay. Will surely visit you again.
Tracy , USA - Mar 11, 2017
100%
We absolutely loved this stay!! so very unique and the location is wonderful.

We stayed in a suite & it was a great value. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Don't miss an opportunity to stay someplace really funky & cool

anonymous, England - Jan 20, 2017
94%
A very pleasant stay in this unusual accommodation. The female waiting staff in the restaurant needs to learn to smile.
Mark, England - Dec 24, 2016
82%
This is worth a stay for the novelty value, but the backpackers' dorm isn't such good value. It's clean and comfy, but you don't get access to a kitchen like most backpackers' and there is only one toilet and shower to the whole dorm carriage. There's free wi-fi, but only near the reception.
Nicola, South Africa - Aug 18, 2016
96%
I highly recommend Santos Express for a unique accommodation experience. We stayed in the "Honeymoon Suite" aka the Caboose, and it was cosy and comfortable. The view and location are definitely worth the stay. I suggest though that during winter, more blankets are provided because the compartments are not insulated and it gets extremely cold inside.
Sydney, South Africa - May 30, 2016
100%
Keep it up Girls, You are the window and the flowers of the Company

My personal opinion is; If it was not for your Staff the Santos Express Train Lodge would not as nice as it was

Excellent Girls Excellent

Hats of to You

anonymous, USA - May 04, 2016
100%
Fabulous hostel. We stayed in the dorm...we actually have stayed here twice because we loved it so much. Very clean, excellent location, and fair prices at the restaurant. Some things to note for travelers: wifi is only in the reception/restaurant. Also, charging stations in the dorm are extremely limited, so be sure to bring your own surge protector with additional outlets if possible.
Grant, South Africa - Apr 27, 2016
98%
Only two bathrooms per carriage isn't ideal
Zelda, South Africa - Apr 12, 2016
98%
It was a great expierience ..was my first time...but not my last..
Ken, South Africa - Apr 11, 2016
70%
The rates in Coast-to-Coast were R320, but we were charged R460! In my opinion the 2-berth compartment is overpriced.
Anthony, England - Apr 09, 2016
84%
Due to an issue with the mobile website we arrived to find that only a single booking had been made. However, as the room showed two beds, we could only book by number of rooms and there were two of us we thought selecting "1" was the correct thing to do. On arrival we were given a very large sum of money that we'd have to pay to both use the room, we showed them the mobile site and they too could see the issue was booking with hostel club and fortunately resolved it for us so we could stay with no further payment. We'd recommend the hostel and the staff were very patient with us. However, I would not recommend booking through hostel club until the issues are resolved.
anonymous, Canada - Apr 07, 2016
92%
The Santos Express Train Lodge is an interesting place to spend an evening in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The WiFi did not reach into the train cars and was only available around the restaurant's immediate area. Even there, the signal was weak and inconsistent. The train cars are quite cramped and spending more than one day would've been an issue. The location cannot be beat as it's right on the beach. Breakfast was quite nice with a good selection of fruit and cereals.
William, Scotland - Apr 06, 2016
100%
Guys, I can't rate your place highly enough & just wished we could have stayed longer. We will hopefully visit again one day but it's a bit of a trek from Scotland.

Take care and keep up the great work.

Bill MacLeod.

Melanie, Australia - Apr 06, 2016
100%
Great place to stay - the bunks slope a bit
Cornelius Johannes, South Africa - Apr 01, 2016
100%
Thank you for the great stay and awesome service. It was really nice staying there and will be for sure booked in there again for my next holiday
Alicia, South Africa - Mar 30, 2016
90%
It was the novelty of staying in a stationed train which brought me to The Santos Express. The view from the window was amazing and the sound of the ocean was lovely. I found the bed to be somewhat uncomfortable, but for 1 night it was okay. The staff were very kind, helpful and friendly to me with my numerous questions.
Nobabini, South Africa - Mar 27, 2016
42%
I will never go there again I was under the impression that its a revamped train not knowing its still the original train with those mattress that they used in the olden days which were very very uncomfortable, no even a carpet in front of the beds as it is very sandy, the carpet in the passage was wet and smelly, one of the rooms the blinds kept falling, the worst of all the doors are VERY noisy when you close esp the main doors they could have had rubber seals around the doors to keep noise level down I'm a light sleeper I couldn't sleep until everyone was asleep I actually wanted to checkout the next day. I must say the holiday was a nightmare, the service at the restaurant was also below standard. I was not happy at all. They could do much renovations in that train its a interesting idea but no good job is done at all in the rooms that we occupied even the kids were so not impressed!
Dirk, Germany - Mar 26, 2016
92%
Everything was nearly perfect. Clean rooms, pub and good restaurant on premises.Only the lights did not function in my comparment, which I only told the staff the next morning, as it did not bother too much. You only sleep in these small rooms. But excellent value for money!
anonymous, South Africa - Mar 15, 2016
48%
Well, the only nice thing about santos is the location. I used the toilets in resturants because of the terrible state and stench of the Santos toilets, didn't even attempt to use the showers there. I really would not stay there ever again, it was not a pleasant experience
Patricia, South Africa - Mar 07, 2016
100%
Perfect situation. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and the restaurant also serves a good meal at realistic prices! i have been praising the lodge to all my friends as accommodation is also reasonable. Keep it up!
Gerjanne, Netherlands - Mar 01, 2016
92%
Great place to be! highly recommended only in the restaurant they hardly noticed us, though not very busy we had to wait quite a while. but the accommodation was superb!!
Philip, England - Feb 16, 2016
98%
Fantastic place, for two ageing rockers it was a great experience
Pieter, South Africa - Feb 15, 2016
96%
To sleep "on" beach with sound of sea in ears is fantastic. Great value for money.

Not sure if all couches have sea view because of trees.

Kurt, Switzerland - Feb 07, 2016
90%
We stayed in the luxury compartment and found it very pleasant. Unfortunately we had some rain during our stay and use of our tears was very limited!
Ellana-Ann, South Africa - Feb 04, 2016
100%
Had a pleasant stay, thank you. The sound of the beach through the night was the high-light.

All was very good

Kind regards

Ellana-Ann Bates and Alix Wilson

Pamela, Canada - Jan 30, 2016
100%
I, sadly, wasn't able to review this hostel as I had to cancel my trip and there seems to be no clear way to cancel my bookings with hostel world.
Simon, Netherlands - Jan 30, 2016
90%
Nice and friendly staff. Nice play to stay, next to te beach.
Justus, South Korea - Jan 27, 2016
96%
It is always one of our favorite stop overs, however great place the restaurant does not deliver a good impression, the breakfast was not up to standard and it is quite dirty, not the same standard as our favorite coach, I think that is a area to improve, it is also the result for the 80 in the staff column.
anonymous, Germany - Jan 23, 2016
100%
Everything was great, Thanks for everything ;-)
Ronel, South Africa - Jan 15, 2016
100%
We enjoyed our stay very much and will most certainly make another booking in the future at Santos Express.

The only problem was not enough staff to service tables and we waited very long to be serviced and waited very long for our orders to be delivered at our table.

Thank you for the friendly staff.

Lyouta, France - Jan 11, 2016
90%
Excellent ! I loved it ! I recommend you the royal suite to really feel comfortable
Ursula, England - Jan 10, 2016
100%
Slept in the royal ladies coach, the loveliest Place to sleep in earth !
anonymous, Germany - Jan 09, 2016
96%
It would be great if there would be few more possibilities to chill in the eventing with a good cold cocktail on the deck or at the beach and simply enjoy the view until darkness..
Johann, South Africa - Dec 21, 2015
54%
The fact that a clear request to have minor children accommodated in a coach next door to parents is unacceptable. The request was made weeks ahead not at short notice. The attitude of staff to assist in any way was non existent. There was no indication that there are no bath towels available. Showers stink of urine. Only one access door to grass area open far from where one is accommodated not great. No dedicated parking for overnight guests very inconvenient when arriving with a car and trailer and luggage
Mark, South Africa - Dec 11, 2015
86%
Obviously it is what it is,very basic however just found it very noisy at night with people in and out and not much consideration for other guests.
Lindsay, South Africa - Dec 08, 2015
88%
Enjoyed the stay there with my family.

Thank you Santos Express.

Gillian, England - Nov 19, 2015
98%
Stayed in Royal Suite. Lovely furnishings

lovely view, excellent shower. Good experience

anonymous, Germany - Nov 12, 2015
70%
Great locating in the train next to a beautiful beach. But they have some difficulties with the toilet flush and no tab water for some time. wifi is crap.
Evelyn, Germany - Nov 04, 2015
100%
perfect stay!!!
Rosco, Australia - Nov 01, 2015
96%
Right ON the beach, excellent pricing, especially if you are travelling solo, and easy access to the town centre - what's not to like!??.
Janine, South Africa - Oct 25, 2015
100%
I always love to stay there, and will continue to make Santos part of my journey.
anonymous, South Africa - Sep 28, 2015
100%
ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO STAY WITH VERY FRIENDLY STAFF TO ASSIST WITH ANY PROBLEM AND CONVENIENT!
Elaine, England - Sep 25, 2015
96%
Lovely place to spend a few days. The compartments are comfortable but lack of water in the rooms and hot water in every toilet basin is rather a problem. Using a communal 3 pin plug to dry ones hair is also not a good idea. The staff are very helpful and friendly.
susanna, South Africa - Sep 12, 2015
90%
We had really enjoy our stay the staff is well trained and very helpfull.
Joao, Angola - Aug 23, 2015
84%
The food isn't good. There is a lack of security
Werner, South Africa - Aug 19, 2015
98%
Absolutely loved and enjoyed our stay!! Definitely will come back next time we're in Mossel Bay :)