Reviews of Backpack Cabin A 49149

I wish I could say something positive but there's nothing.

Herbert bombarded me with messages before my trip. Had to ask him to stop texting. I arrived and was super sick. Although he seemed kind, check in took 2.5 hours. This guy does not take a hint. When someone tells you they're nauseous, you check them in and let them rest. His energy was off. As a woman traveling solo, I expected to meet other travelers. Instead it was just the man who lives there who talks non-stop to the point he followed around wanting to hang out. The place is too far to walk to anywhere. I work online and the internet didn't work so I had to run around the neighborhood, sick, looking for a sim card. It was a $60 round trip taxi to the nearest beach (which I paid for so I didnt have to deal with the host). I found clumps of hair and that was the final straw. I paid for new accomodation and left less than 24 hours after arrival. Despite showing Herbert the hair, and despite offering to pay a 50% cancelation fee, he kept my money. I can't recommend this place. Couldn't leave fast enough and I wish I hadn't even stayed the one night.

The location of the property (a static RV in the landlord's large garden) is ideal: easy walking distance (30 minutes) from Queen Beatrix Airport and from Oranjestad, with bus links to most parts of the island also close; in addition, there is a large supermarket just five minutes' walk away. Herbert was a brilliant, friendly and helpful host, who insisted on meeting me in the supermarket's cafe so I didn't get lost (although if you enter "Aruba Backpackers" into Google Maps, it will take you straight there), as the road numbering in Cumana can be confusing. The property is totally self-contained, with cooking via a 2-ring gas hob (all crockery and cookware is provided) and an outside seating area in the sunshine. There are mosquito nets at all windows (although you do have to peg these into place yourself) and a bathroom with toiletries provided. There is even a cool box under the dining table equipped with beach towels and other items one might need for the beach.

The bed is uncomfortable (fine for 2-3 nights, but challenging for a week-long stay) and there is no hot water in the RV (to be honest, with Aruba's climate, it doesn't take long to get used to cold showers). The tea/coffee maker is actually an Italian-style stovetop percolator (although when I left, Herbert was considering changing this to a cafetiere). There are no curtains, so privacy is an issue, especially as Herbert likes to patrol the grounds at night (there was one occasion, where I woke around midnight and was hungry, so made some food and was sitting, naked, at the dining table at the exact moment that Herbert shone his torch through the window!) - however, the gardens are enclosed so nobody other than the landlord is likely to encroach on your privacy. Herbert did, before I arrived, install a wi-fi booster, but this didn't work, so there was no wi-fi (my advice would be to buy a SIM card on arrival at the airport - it's relatively expensive, at $20 for a week's coverage, but that includes unlimited wi-fi calls and texts, as well as (if I remember correctly) 60 minutes of international calls and gives coverage across the island (except Arakok National Park). It wasn't perfect, but you won't find better value accommodation in Aruba, nor a better host than Herbert.

The cabin was a very unique place to stay! It was super cool, very clean, and it’s the cheapest accommodation option you can get on Aruba! It has a kitchen that is a huge plus.. cooking meal on Aruba is essential if you want to save money. It’s very near a great supermarket Cmart where you find absolutely everything. Walking distance from the airport if you can handle the heat.

It’s a bit far from the downtown.. 30min walk or you can take a bus that stops 50m from the house and leaves once in an hour. The place is kind of over organized..with their xxx items inventory and strict arrangements. Check out could be later.

Since we brought our backpacks and bikes, this place fit our needs perfectly. The host was helpful with our day-to-day activities and recommended his favorite things to do and destinations. His gardens were our favorite aspect of the property. It was very helpful that the host was able to store our items between check out and the departure of our flight for a small fee. You'll get your money's worth here! Definitely worth every penny.

Excelente anfitrion