Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
12 Westdrive, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
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US$20
Fully refundable before Thu, 21 Dec
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US$20
Fully refundable before Thu, 21 Dec
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US$10
Fully refundable before Sun, 24 Dec
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TravelocityUS$20
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About
#1 of 1 tourist base in Victoria Falls
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
A colourful backpackers paradise, Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge is located a short 2km walk from the mighty Victoria Falls and focuses on providing affordable and budget friendly accommodation without compromising on comfort. We offer air-conditioned double, twin rooms and family rooms with private bathrooms or Dorms with bunk beds and access to a communal bathroom. We also offer two bed dome tents or self catering camp sites, with access to communal ablutions. For an additional charge you can eat at Shoestrings Cafe where we offer breakfasts, light/main meals, including pizza made in our very own pizza oven! Our bar is open to all our travellers and locals to enjoy a drink, we do also host local events and performances! Our central swimming pool provides a fabulous spot to relax and cool off after a day of exploring all that Vic Falls has to offer! The nearest airport is Victoria Falls Airport, 20 km from the property. Staff can assist you with the organisation of activities and transfers.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Billiards
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Car park
Paid wifi
Outdoor pool
Shallow end in pool
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Happy hour
Outdoor dining area
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Taxi service
24-hour security
BBQ facilities
Concierge
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared bathroom
Shared kitchen
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Separate living room
Kitchenette
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English
Location
75Somewhat walkable
Grade: 75 out of 100
36Restaurantswithin 0.75 miles
19Attractionswithin 0.75 miles
12 Westdrive, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Getting there
Car HireSee all Victoria Falls car hire
46Reviews0Q+A5Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
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We stayed at Shoestrings for 3 nights and very much enjoyed our stay. We had a private room with bathroom and fan. One day we had limited shower water. very clean, attentive but getting change was a challenge in all of Zimbabwe, so get it when you can! would definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 1 Oct 2023
Hi Mary, Thank you for taking the time to leave us an excellent rating and superb review! We are glad you had a great stay with us and we hope to welcome you back again soon! We are sorry you had an issue with the shower during your stay, we have been having issues with water supply throughout Vic Falls town. We do have systems in place to ensure continued supply through these periods however if water supply has been interrupted for extended periods this does become difficult. Zimbabwe is experiencing a cash crisis so smaller denomination notes are hard to come by and we do recommend travelling with these and paying with exact amounts where possible for ease of travel. We do make every effort to ensure you are aware of this before travelling so you can make the necessary arrangements. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
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 shared bathrooms (though it has individual toilets/showers). The shower water pressure was often nonexistent, as in literally, which was really frustrating (!!). This might be my only complaint about Shoestrings....(I found a shower solution/ablution at a nearby property; I assume I have to leave it at that) Excellent cafe onsite!! Really good food at good prices! I'd have eaten all my meals there had I, of course, not wanted to try some other places. My favorite always the simple but delicious Sadza with chicken or just the veggies. I also appreciated that they quickly get to know you, and they would make my preferred coffee as soon as they saw me walk into the lounge in the morning....and yes, they have one of those fancy espresso machines. Finally, about the "party" atmosphere, that really only existed on FRI and SAT nights. Yes, it's very loud and busy in the front/main lounge, but we found the solution to be just to move to the back/garden lounge, with lots of seating and notably quieter (still loud, but quieter). …
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If planning to visit both Zimbabwe and Zambian side of the Falls, activities are cheaper on the...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 10 Jul 2023
Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to leave us an excellent rating and fabulous review! We are glad you had an enjoyable stay with us and we were able to help you have a memorable time with us! Since we took over management in 2021 we have made very effort and many hours of hard work to spruce up the place and train up our staff to turn Shoestrings into the vibrant hang out it is today! We are lucky to have such dedicated staff who go above and beyond to ensure our guests feel welcomed and at home throughout their stay. We are glad we were able to come to the rescue by helping you on the self-catering side with extra bedding and we were able to assist you with dorm accommodation on your last night. We are glad you had the opportunity to meet and make friends with some of our other visitors. We attract people from all walks of life and this creates an opportunity for people to meet and make new friends, as you have! We are sorry there was a problem with the water pressure when you tried to shower. This is usually caused when multiple showers are being used at the same time and the water pressure drops. We are looking into possible solutions to the problem. We are glad you enjoyed our cafe and restaurant and you were bale to try out the local staple, sadza! Thanks again to your fantastic feedback, it is much appreciated! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a classic party hostel in Victoria Falls, located short walk from bars, restaurants and shops. The hostel is ok on the outside, the rooms however are bit rundown, showers definitely need upgrade. The Wi-Fi works but they change the code every day so you have to keep getting new code which is very annoying. Found bunch of insect in my room as well, glad I have avoided bed bugs!
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 23 Jun 2023
Hi Lucyan, Thank you for taking the tie to leave us a good rating and review! We are glad you enjoyed some aspects of your stay. We do often host live events and local talent, with the weekends being our more popular time. We make every effort to ensure our guests are aware of this. We have done much work in our rooms to ensure they are comfortable and clean. We are sorry you found bugs in your room as we clean daily. We have measures in place to reduce the amount of bugs that can get into the rooms, including but not limited to, having gauze over the air vents and mosquito nets over the beds. Our rooms are cleaned daily and freshly reset for each new check-in. We are sorry you had issues with wifi connectivity, our current system does require a new login daily, however, we are looking into extending the time for ease of use. Thanks again for your feedback it I much appreciated! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My friend and I stayed here for the weekend and had a lovely time. It was a nice “home” base while we were out and about during the day, and the staff was incredibly kind and helpful. Chicken, the resident goat, was a lovely surprise! We stayed in one of the Masasa rooms, which is two twin beds that form a king and an ensuite bathroom. The reason why my review isn’t five stars is that my bed had bedbugs. I woke up after the first night absolutely COVERED in red bite marks, and I was hoping they were just mosquito bites. Upon further investigation, however, I realized I had textbook signs of bedbugs. I think I just got unlucky, as my friend’s bed was perfectly clean and other guests staying there at the same time did not have the same problem. Bottom line: friendly staff, fun atmosphere, but check your beds before you go to sleep. :)…
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Check your beds!!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 3 Nov 2022
Hi Emily, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great rating and review. We are glad you enjoyed most aspects of your stay (and that Chicken was a welcome surprise!) We are sorry you had a problem with being bitten, we have had all our rooms thoroughly checked and they are all free of bed bugs. We change the sheets on our beds every time a guest checks out and we make sure the rooms get a regular airing. As it was only one bed in the room it is highly unlikely the cause of your bites would be bed bugs. It is possible you may have picked up some bites from dust mites or possibly flea bites from playing with our resident dogs. Thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. Kind regards, The Shoestrings Sqaud
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
'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.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 17 Oct 2022
Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such an excellent rating and review! We are glad you enjoyed your time with us (and Chicken!) We are sorry the mosquitos affected your stay, as this is the season for mosquitos this town-wide problem. We have measures is place to reduce the numbers as well as insect repellent lotion on sale from the reception. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Booked to stay here for 4 nights in a private room whilst we were in the falls. The place was great value and having stayed at backpackers places before whilst we knew it wouldn’t be like a 5* hotel we were pleasantly surprised at the room. It was very clean with a huge bed & everything you needed for a basic room. Nothing fancy but for the price couldn’t fault it. The actual setting was nice too with great atmosphere and the staff were incredibly friendly & attentive. Our only critique is that it was incredibly noisy at night. To the point where we actually left early to check in somewhere else. We’ve stayed at many backpackers places before & you can always expect noise/partying however this was another level. We were happy to get involved one of the nights but the next night due to early activities the next day at 6am we got an early night. The music was bearable but then at about 10:30/11pm it was turned up and absolutely blasting till the early hours… we didn’t sleep at all. Again - aware this is a backpackers place but it’s not advertised as a party hostel/says it’s suitable for families etc too. It would probably be advisable to be a bit more honest on the site so people know what to expect. Basically if you’re there to drink, party etc or for a night or something then would 10/10 recommend. If there for longer and mainly there to do activities/see the falls I would stay somewhere else as you will struggle with sleep here.…
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 5 Sept 2022
Hi there, Thank you for your rating and feedback. We are glad you enjoyed your stay for the most part and are sorry the music affected your stay. We do advertise the hosting of live events and music at the property and the fact that rooms are affected by noise. We hope to welcome you back again soon! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked Shoestring on the back of a number of recommendations and had been told that the night we were arriving was 'big party night' in Shoestring. We arrived and were at first very excited as the place gave off a very cool vibe. We settled in to have lunch but as we were waiting for food we were approached by a group of local men who had been clearly drinking all day. After expressing disinterest in engaging with them they proceed to approach us a number of times more. We left the hostel to explore and arrived back in the evening to a quiet atmosphere with the same group of men approaching us and other travels. This caused us to spend the rest of the night in our dorm (at 6pm). The dorm was fine and spacious, mattress was not the most comfortable. The toilets could do with some attention but the showers were lovely. The breakfast & lunch food offerings here were delicious. Not sure if we were particularly unlucky with the group who were there when we were staying but I wouldn't be rushing back. Also the resident goat, Chicken, took a disliking to me continued to ram me while I was trying to phone home. Staff passed by and just told me to push the goat away but did not help in deterring. Otherwise, the staff were lovely and welcoming.…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 2 Aug 2022
Hi there, We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a rating and review. We are sorry you had a negative experience on the property, it is a pity this incident was not reported to management as this is not acceptable behaviour at Shoestrings. We appreciate your feedback and we are glad you enjoyed the rest of your stay. Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had heard great things about this hostel from other backpackers we had met along our trip so we were excited for this place. We heard there was a good buzz around the place. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon and there was local man who appeared to have been drinking all day who repeatedly came over to us and to other groups of travellers even though we didn’t not engage so we headed into town for a while. When we got back to the hostel he came back over to us so we spent the rest of the evening in our dorm. The opposite of the night we had planned. The dorm rooms were fit for purpose. The beds weren’t super comfy but there was lots of space at each one which was nice. The showers were hot. The food from the restaurant was great. Beware of chicken the goat. She likes to headbutt 😝…
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 2 Aug 2022
Hi there, We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a rating and review. We are sorry you had a negative experience on the property, it is a pity this incident was not reported to management as this is not acceptable behaviour at Shoestrings. We are glad you enjoyed the rest of your stay and we hope you'll be back again soon! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
we are a family of 3 and stayed at shoestring for 5 nights. it was really great - the food, the staff & service, the value for money, the rooms. really is recommendable. Please, however, note that this is a backpackers and that they have live music. it can be quite noisy sometime night. there are various rooms and if you a bit more sensitive for noise, chose one of the rooms which is facing backwards. but still a great place.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: take a more quite room at the back
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 15 Jul 2022
Hi Michael, Thanks for taking the time to leave us such a fabulous rating and review! We are glad you and your family enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you back again soon! Best regrads, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Great value for money. Good food at good prices. Very Clean and staff excellent. Suitable for backpackers to families on a budget. Great evening atmosphere in the bar and wide open entertainment areas.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Bayete Collection, Owner at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Responded 3 Jul 2022
Hi Paul, Thanks for taking the time to leave us a great rating and review! We are glad you enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you back soon! Best regards, The Shoestrings Squad
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$16 - US$27 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ZimbabweMatabeleland North ProvinceVictoria Falls
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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Claim Your ListingSHOESTRINGS BACKPACKERS LODGE - Updated 2023 (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)
Frequently Asked Questions about Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Victoria Falls Snake Park (0.4 miles), Simunye: We Are One (0.4 miles), and Elephant's Walk Shopping and Artist's Village (0.4 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Livingstone Room at Victoria Falls Hotel, The Cassia Restaurant, and Stanley's Terrace.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.1 miles away from the centre of Victoria Falls.
Are any cleaning services offered at Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.