Posh South Beach Hostel

Although guests of the Posh Hostel are adults upwards of 18, the dominant visitors are young Americans and international backpackers in their late teens and twenties looking to hit the beaches and clubs of South Beach. Housed in a masonry Art Deco building, the Posh Hostel has a chic, modern lobby, its ceiling sprinkled with LED lights, while gray stone floors are adorned with a few bright blue area rugs. With a cool, apartment-like vibe, the lounge has a sprawling sectional sofa in white leather set before a big flat-screen TV. Street-facing windows illuminate round glass tables, while two coffee tables are strewn haphazardly with books and magazines. The space is shared with a large chef's kitchen that guests are free to use, with long granite counters and stools. Signs are taped to various surfaces, announcing rules about dishwashing or fridge storage among others. No outside visitors are allowed. There is a street level terrace in a wide side alley with colorful cushioned seating, palm trees, and umbrella tables. The rooftop pool, which could use a power washing, is the site of a daily happy hour, weather permitting. The pool has an infinity edge that faces a canvas wall, reflecting the Posh Hostel's atmosphere as encouraging fun within limits.

The Posh Hostel is located in the middle of downtown South Beach among shops and restaurants, in the Art Deco District. Lummus Park Beach is two blocks away, while the beach can be reached in five minutes on foot. Mansion, a nightclub popular with twentysomethings, is an eight-minute walk away, while Nikki Beach, another popular club, is 14 minutes on foot. Other popular nightclubs include Mokai Lounge and Set, both about seven minutes away by car. Many popular attractions are under a 10-minute drive or 10 to 20 minutes via bus (there is a bus stop a three-minute walk from the hotel), including the Bass Museum of Art, Lincoln Road Mall, and Lucky Strike Bowling. Miami International Airport is a 23-minute drive (though it can take much longer, depending on traffic) or around an hour via public transportation; the hostel offers a free shuttle to the airport.

The hostel has three, co-ed dorm-style rooms with bunk beds that sleep eight, twenty, or thirty people. Prior guests advise requesting the room that sleeps eight to reduce the amount of noise from snoring guests and those returning late from nightclubs. Otherwise, ear plugs are strongly recommended. Rooms are plain but not unattractive, with stone floors and pale gray walls. Bunks are numbered and have tiny frosted glass privacy screens as well as reading lamps, though there are no bedside outlets to charge cell phones. At the base of the beds are lockers with coded padlocks. Each guest receives a bright blue blanket, white bed linens, and a towel. The bathrooms are co-ed, which might pose a problem for some guests, but are large and clean. Tiled showers have palm-tree motif curtains; shampoo and conditioner are provided. There are pedestal sinks with liquid soap, but neither paper towels nor hand towels are provided.

The hostel has a lovely rooftop pool with a wooden sundeck and cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas. There's also a courtyard in a wide alley adjacent to the hostel with rattan seating and umbrella tables. A popular happy hour is held every evening with free drinks. Guests also receive a simple free breakfast that includes cereal and fruit. There is a sleek, modern communal kitchen that guests are free to use, though it comes with a set of rules such as no frying. The lounge area offers a large sofa and flat-screen TV, plus dining tables. Coin-operated washers and dryers are available, as is a business area with an Apple Macbook laptop and a printer, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. A free airport shuttle is offered. Guests who drive should expect expensive valet parking.