Elements, Cape Town

We have just had the most awful expensive time of our lives at this place. We booked thinking it might be a reasonable place according to the details on the web site. As we were coming to South Africa, a beautiful country with beautiful people, for a period of 9 weeks. The description does not match the place at all. The location is in the middle of a housing estate and leaves a lot to be desired. We found that after having paid SRA5880 to which there is no refund forthcoming from Elements the place was very unsuitable. Make no mistake this is a backpackers for which the charge for my husband and myself we were expected to pay SRA 400per night, which was discounted to SRA280 as it was a long stay. The apartment is very underfurished, cooking utensils - sparse, cooker a 2 ring unit under the sink, toaster all frayed cabling, towels dirty and full of holes, bad smell under the sink and the bed duvet, desperate for a wash with one very thin pillow each on the bed. We found out that our bedding and towels would be changed onc a week. If we wanted our place cleaned this was possible for an additional SRA 50 per day. Not at all what we expected and felt this was definitly not for us with no privacy at all. When I stated this was not on we were asked from the Friday when we checked in until the Monday when we walked out what we were doing. At the cost of loosing a lot of money there was no way we could stay. I found that they are playing at this and not treating it as South Africans do. Be warned.

We stayed there for 15 nights (holiday/honeymoon). Very good lodge to stay and relax in a safe area - never had anything to complain and the service was excellent. What I dislike? Well, having to wait until I can get there again to spend my next holidays ;-) Special thanks for the braai party - really enjoyed it!

After travelling for more than 3 months in South Africa we still remember the Elements Lodge as one of the places we really loved to stay. The owners Esther & Remo as well as their substitutes Sara & Andi were very nice hosts and have been a well-informed source for all our questions about things to do in and around Capetown. The Elements Lodge itself is a peaceful, very clean and save place with a nice garden and pool. The rooms are all lovely painted and decorated. We and our 3years old son stayed there for 10 nights and felt almost like at home. Our son still remembers Tequila, the good-natured and very child-friendly dog.

Elements - the lodge is situated in a beautiful and save environment. Additionally it is a very lovely accommodation with very likable and helpful hosts. I really could not find something to complain! I would do it at anytime and always again! Thank you a lot Esther and Remo! Roland

We stayed here for 8 nights while volunteering at SANCCOB. It was a nice, clean, & affordable guesthouse. Sara & Andi were very pleasant hosts. We stayed in a four person dorm room which was very small and a bit stuffy-aired at night but fit our needs fine. We were working all day, so we wanted a clean shower and a comfortable place to sleep. When we return to Cape Town, we would definitely stay here again.

beautifull guesthouse, not expensive, close to cape town, very friendly hosts, apartment and double bed room very clean and nice decorated Our stay at Elements was really great and Anja was so friendly and helpful with everything. Me and my sons stayed in an apartment and it was bright, airy and very clean. For the service and accommodation provided the rates are very good and I would definitely stay there again

I have spend the first night in Cape Town at the elements in one of the nice apartments which is so modern but yet with style and love furnished and painted (it has its own kitchen and sofa and television). The house and the garden itself lives up to that standard. The pool is of good size and there are many possibilities to chill out, be it on a ordinary chair, a deck-chair or even just on the grass with a towel. There is also a big barbecue adjacent to the pool. The common area (open kitchen, living room....) are functional, modern and clean as the rest of the house. There is internet access. I deem the area where the elements is situated to be very safe and the view, as the area "table view" might suggest, is extraordinary nice towards (guess...) table mountain. Since we traveled for 10 days as far as Port Elizabeth and back, I saw everyday some other backpackers/lodges. Concerning house and hosts (Esther, Remo and Tequilla(the always so friendly dog)), elements is second to none. I would recommend this lodge without any hesitation!! Needless to say in which backpackers/lodge we spend the last night back in Cape Town.

VERY much liked: (1) The house (lovely rooms, cool pool, excellent food), (2) the value/money, (3) tips and proposals from the people running the house to see some sites of cape town you might would miss if you don't know locals... Really excellent house!!

Elements was a great place to stay and the owners where absolutely friendly and very helpful. We had wonderful two weeks there and always clean room and towels etc. All recommended places by the owners where as good as told and hints where given if you wanted to deviate a bit from mainstream tourism, just great ! For sure we will stay again if we get a chance to visit SA again !

The Elements is a great, small guesthouse in a quiet and safe neighborhood. The rooms are big, clean and well equiped. The cost effectivness is excellent. It's managed by a young couple from Switzerland, they are always friendly, helpful and know Cape Town very well. I would recommend it to anybody!