The Best Hostels in Miami for Budget Travellers

Housed inside a brilliant 1930s art deco building, Freehand is located just a block from the ocean and a short walk to Miami Beach. The atmosphere is hip and eclectic, with mix-and-match furniture and a young, lively crowd. Its 63 dorm rooms have large, sturdy bunks, personal lockers and ensuite shared bathrooms. There are also 17 private king rooms available at an additional cost. Inspired by Miami’s melting pot of culture, the hostel’s restaurant, 27, offers everything from Middle-Eastern falafel to Haitian-influenced dishes such as crispy pork griot. Open until 2am, the resident bar, The Broken Shaker, is a buzzing poolside oasis serving creative cocktails in a lush tropical setting. For more swimming fun, check out some of the other great pools in Miami.

Set in Miami’s high-profile Mid-Beach neighborhood, Generator offers pocket-friendly accommodations with a mature and laid-back atmosphere. Its 344 beds range from mixed bunks and dorms to full private suites housed in a 1940s-era building. It’s located just 100ft (30m) from the ocean, so you can conveniently walk to the beach or stroll to one of the many glitzy restaurants or nightlife spots down the street. The poolside Driftway bar is the perfect place to enjoy traditional cocktails in the sun. When it’s time for a proper meal, head into the lobby restaurant, Jim & Neesie, for elevated cuisine such as crackling salmon with sunchoke hash or melt-in-your-mouth hamachi tartare.

In the center of South Beach, Posh is a stylish boutique hostel with modern flair. The foyer is furnished with tufted white leather armchairs and a large sparkling chandelier. The communal kitchen features stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, and shared rooms feature extras including reading lamps and charging stations. A rooftop pool offers a relaxing hiatus from the bustling streets below. Don’t miss the nightly happy hour from 7pm to 8pm, when cocktails are free at the lobby bar. With popular shopping, restaurants and nightlife spots within walking distance, this chic lodging space is the ideal hub for a relaxed budget-friendly holiday.

A quaint accommodation located two blocks from the beach, SoBe Hostel and Bar offers a casual atmosphere that is ideal for both first-time travelers and seasoned digital nomads. Feel right at home in 12, 8 or 4-bed mixed dorm rooms with private lockers and ensuite bathrooms. Balance your life/work schedule with ease at the on-site cafe with free wifi. Later on, relax at the lobby’s Hangout Bar for the cheapest drinks in Miami. Looking for a big night out? There is a party bus to South Beach’s top clubs on the weekends. Other special features include a movie room and a complimentary breakfast.

Undoubtedly one of the top Miami party hostels, Beds N’ Drinks is located two blocks from the beach in a vintage art deco-influenced building in the heart of South Beach. The selection of rooms ranges from dorm-style bunks and four-person studios to private apartments with ensuite bathrooms. Enjoy people watching under the shade of an umbrella on the front terrace or challenge your friends to a game of beer pong on the patio. With a daily happy hour, exclusive parties, special events and VIP entrance to the hottest nightclubs, a stay here will make yours a holiday to remember.

Easily the most unique lodging in Miami, Bikini Hostel Cafe and Beer Garden is housed inside a string of old beach bungalows. The laid-back atmosphere is reminiscent of a midsummer house party with close friends rather than a hostel. Guest rooms are bright with hardwood flooring and range in size from mixed dorms to full apartments with ensuite bathrooms. The friendly courtyard is the place to gather and meet people, whether you’re throwing a daytime barbecue or enjoying an evening dip in the Jacuzzi under twinkling fairy lights. Enjoy two-for-one happy hour from 4pm to 8pm and after-club bites until late every day of the week.

Within walking distance of the beach, this no-frills hotel and hostel allows solo travelers and small groups the luxury of choice. Begin your stay in a dorm room, then spread out into a private suite for the rest of your holiday. Plan a daytime barbecue next to the Olympic-size swimming pool or unwind on the shaded patio. It’s centrally located, so you can walk to local attractions like the busy shopping at Lincoln Promenade and the Bass Museum of Art. With friendly service and a relaxed setting, this quaint art deco inn offers a welcome retreat from the lively South Beach.

Situated just adjacent to South Beach in the heart of the Art Deco District, Ocean Blue is a laid-back and modern backpackers’ retreat. Sleeping up to 12 people, mixed and all-women dorms are spacious and bright, while upgraded rooms add ocean views. When you’re not in the mood to cook in the communal kitchen, dine al fresco at Voodoo, the hostel restaurant. The rooftop shisha lounge offers impressive views in a relaxed and stylish setting. Casually stroll over to the beach for sunset or walk just a few minutes to popular shopping, restaurants and nightlife hotspots. There are tons of great bars in the city, so check out Culture Trip’s guide to the best bars in Miami.