Harrison Hostel

The Harrison Hostel is one of the least liked hostels that we have stayed at in the South Beach area. While the area is quiet and convenient, it is not very well managed and this really shows, whether its through interaction with staff, the disorder that is sometimes present, or the bad impressions left on fellow travelers who are always complaining about something.

The Location

Located just south of Fifth Street in a mostly residential area, the Harrison Hostel is in close proximity to the beach, nightlife, banks, laundry, and convenience stores. It is quite easy to find, although the sign is very small, so you could walk right past and not notice. Just outside, there is easy access to the local, inexpensive neighbourhood bus that runs about twenty blocks right past the supermarket. Buses going to other areas can be caught one block over on Fifth Street.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Rooms are ensuite, and they have four- and six-bed rooms, male, female, or mixed. Sometimes they disregard your preference (we booked mixed and got put into an all female room). Entry to the room is by key card and there are cameras about so it is somewhat secure. Inside the rooms are lockers, but you need to bring your own lock. The beds are quite comfy and the baths have both showers and tubs. There is also a small fridge in the rooms, which is quite handy as there is no kitchen in this hostel. The maid comes like once a week, even though they advertise daily service. The poor lady has to clean the whole hostel (maybe they were too cheap to hire more staff), so many days there is no toilet paper, or overflowing trash bins in bathrooms and in the room itself. The room also has two armchairs that are pretty comfy.

Common Spaces

The TV room doubles as the "kitchen," which is just a microwave sitting atop a small fridge. There are only about seven seats so if you want to watch some TV, you better stake claim on a chair early. The cable really sucks as it's usually on a very old-fashioned movie channel, and there is no TV remote, so you have to get up to switch it if you dare. Breakfast is also served in this area, a self-serve mess of bread, jam, and peanut butter and coffee. No knives are seen ever, so be prepared to use a fork. It gets quite messy at breakfast time.

There are also two computers next to the reception with internet access, and these are almost always taken, as they are free to use. There is no laundry. The courtyard area is big -- lots of seating, trees, a fountain that is never on, and a few soda/snack machines. They also have a seldom used BBQ there. This is where the smokers hang out.

This hostel is full of dodgy characters, including the management who seem very unfriendly, unapproachable, and sometimes downright rude. The guests stay in cliques, with no one really socialising. It's very dull -- no events, nothing. No guests are allowed -- not even in the courtyard -- so you have to stay in the street with your friends. Be prepared to be isolated. It lacks any sort of fun and social atmosphere.

Summary

The information on the booking websites is quite frankly a great lure to this hostel, but it does not offer half of what they say. There is no pool table, the Wi-Fi is temperamental, and we requested a hair dryer two weeks ago that seems to have gone to whatever heaven the toaster went to. Do four books count as a library? Contrary to claims, it is not number one in anything, unless there is a category for overpriced accommodation or misleading the public. Restaurant, daily happy hour, convenience store, and daily housekeeping -- we saw none of these. This place is ok for a one- or two-night stay, but not for much longer. It is overpriced.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2009