With its orange color scheme -- from the big urns outside the front door to the orange bunk beds and orange accent walls -- the South Beach Hostel exudes a bright, happy, and friendly atmosphere. The walls are either painted with murals, covered in chalkboard paint with messages from previous guests, or have quotes painted on them. In the lobby lounge, there are soft black leather sofas and an array of clocks set to different time zones, so you can feel like a real world traveler. The kitchen has simple stainless steel finishes and a couple of microwaves and a toaster, although it’s not as sparkling clean as it could be. Outside, the patio has green trellises, striped deck chairs, and astroturf. With its large common areas and all-night bar, the hostel exudes a “gap year” feel and is full of travelers exchanging traveling tales.

South Beach's nightlife and beaches are within walking distance of the South Beach Hostel, but they're still far enough away that there's minimal street noise. Located in the Deco District, the hostel is only two blocks away from the beaches of South Beach and a five-minute walk from clubs and shops. Picturesque South Pointe Park is an easy five-minute stroll from the hotel door. The hostel provides a free shuttle to and from Miami's international airport, and arranges group excursions to sights like the Everglades and Key West.

Both dorm and private rooms are sparsely decorated, with orange metal bunk beds covered in white or tartan bedding, and box-spring mattresses that aren't the most comfortable. Underneath each bed is a locker for personal possessions, and 24-hour security cameras are in place for safety. Each guest has a secure key card to their room door. Floors are white bleached wood, giving the rooms a beachy feel. There are female-only dormitories available upon request, and some rooms have shuttered windows, while others have no windows at all. The communal bathrooms could do with a spruce up, as the air vents are sticky and there are some damp patches on the wall, but the showers are generally quite clean and each has a curtain for privacy. It's worth being aware that the party tends to rage late into the night here; you might want to bring earplugs for a better night's sleep. Rooms don't have Wi-Fi. 

The South Beach Hostel has a large number of facilities and services for a budget spot. The Hangout Bar has a friendly buzz to it, with black leather bar stools, chalkboard walls, and enough alcohol behind the bar to host a year-long Spring Break-style party. The bar is open until very late (or very early, depending on your view) and there's a happy hour each evening. The lounge area also has shelves lined with books (novels and travel guides mostly) and a couple of computers that count as an Internet cafe. Free breakfast and dinner are available daily, but there are limited vegetarian options. There's a full kitchen for guest use, too, as well as My Ceviche, a chain food bar located outside the lobby that serves up quick seafood bites. The hostel has a laundry room,but there is usually one machine out-of-order. Bicycles can be rented for a fee. The hostel also organizes nights out for guests, which let you get into trendy clubs easily. There's free Wi-Fi in common areas.