Miami, Florida is one of the most expensive cities to visit, especially when it comes to finding a place to stay. But it was the first location of Freehand, a chain of luxury hostels now with locations in Los Angeles, New York City , and Chicago, which opened in 2012.
The decor feels very much like what you’d expect from a hotel, mostly because it was built in the former 1930s Art Deco-style Indian Creek Hotel. The Roman and Williams design firm is responsible for the stylish interiors, which include artwork from Miami creators.
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Guest Rooms at Freehand Miami
The hostel offers both dorm rooms and private rooms, ranging in price based on the room size and season. The Quad rooms have four twin-sized bunk beds in a shared space with a communal bathroom. Beds also have privacy curtains, outlets, and reading lights, and under-bed lockers are ideal for storage. The Super 8 is the same setup but with eight beds instead of four.
The King rooms and suites have a king-sized bed, flat-screen television, private bathroom, and mini-fridge. The Bungalow is made up of a private quad room with four twin-sized bunk beds, a kitchen, living room, and kitchen. This setup is ideal for families or longer stays. Rooms are also pet-friendly.
Amenities at Freehand Miami
Free WiFi is available throughout the hostel, and reception is staffed 24 hours by their multilingual team. Breakfast is included, mostly Cuban pastries and juices. Laundry services are available for a fee. There’s an outdoor pool and garden area that becomes a party scene during the annual Art Basel festival. The hostel plans nightly activities like movie nights and trips to the Marlins games.
Guests can borrow bikes to pedal their way to South Beach. The Freehand is a five-minute walk from the beach and a number of stores and restaurants. Beach towels can be rented at reception. The bus stop is also a short walk away, which has easy access to the airport and the famous Wynwood Walls.
Eating and Drinking at Freehand Miami
Open seasonally, Restaurant 27 is set in a former home decorated with colorful furnishings. The menu includes fresh seafood and globally inspired dishes alongside natural wines. There’s also a weekday happy hour upstairs.
The award-winning Broken Shaker bar is easily one of the hostel’s top amenities, bringing in locals and visitors alike, most of whom aren’t staying at Freehand. It started as a pop-up bar from Bar Lab but now has a permanent home at the hostel, not to mention offshoots at other Freehand properties.
The tropical-inspired craft cocktails cost about $10 and up and are best enjoyed in the backyard-style setting. The bar is open from 5 pm to 1 am on most nights so bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. The Freehand also has a guest kitchen to prepare your own meals.
Tips for Staying at Freehand Miami
The Freehand Miami is located at 2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33140. Check in isn’t until 4 pm and check out is at 11 am. Parking is not included but there are metered spots nearby on Indian Creek Drive as well as a metered lot on 27th Street. I recommend parking and keeping your car there to avoid the stress of finding a new spot.
Rates start at $35 for bunks and $300 for bungalows. Discounts are offered for longer stays or Freehand Club membership, which extends to the other locations. There’s also a $5 resort fee for shared rooms and $15 for private rooms. You can book on their website, by calling (+1) 305-531 2727.
If you’re arriving by Greyhound bus, take the C bus and get off at Indian Creek and 29th Street. If you’re arriving by Amtrak, take the L bus eastbound to the same stop. If you’re arriving by plane, take the Airport Flyer bus #150, which also stops at the bus stop on 29th.
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