The Hostelz.com Review
Composed of a couple of quaint, brightly colored buildings tucked right in the middle of Florida City, Everglades International Hostel is the perfect place for a family to stay while visiting the Florida Keys, Miami, and surrounding areas.
The Location
he hostel was quite easy to find once we arrived in Florida City -- we received very detailed directions via a phone call while we were still on the road. There is nothing particularly remarkable about the appearance of the neighborhood in which the hostel is located, but once you enter the front gate to the hostel, there seems to be no reason to leave! We ended up spending much of our time resting in the common rooms and yard. We also enjoyed the short walk down the street to the most outstanding Mexican bakery, where we enjoyed the best Cuban coffee and pastries we have ever had, for under a few dollars.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel rooms are gorgeous. We had a queen-sized bed in the private Mermaid room, which is extremely serene and peaceful -- we love the paintings and peacock feathers that hang on the walls. It is more than spacious for two adults and one child. The door lock feels sufficient enough -- we were comfortable leaving our luggage while we were out -- and air-conditioning is ice-cold. While the private rooms do not contain a private bath, and the shared bath is quite small, fellow travelers are extremely courteous about keeping areas clean and respecting the time involved it takes for everyone to be able to use the bathroom.
Common Spaces
There are countless nooks with shared books, maps and pictures, and comfy seating as well as other eclectic decorations on the walls. The main common rooms contain large, comfortable couches; a computer with internet; television with movies; and boardgames. Nobody seemed to mind our one-year-old climbing and playing around, and so we think that the Everglades Hostel is very comfortable for a family with children. While we didn't meet other travelers (most were out exploring!), we're sure our future visits will involve meeting others (most hostelers are very kind and friendly and have amazing stories to share). The Everglades Hostel is definitely not for those in search of a partying hostel -- rather, a subdued and peaceful place to rest while traveling.
Summary
Our stay here was fantastic and we look forward to visiting again. We often talk about how pleasant the whole experience was -- there was not one negative point to be uncovered!
The Location
he hostel was quite easy to find once we arrived in Florida City -- we received very detailed directions via a phone call while we were still on the road. There is nothing particularly remarkable about the appearance of the neighborhood in which the hostel is located, but once you enter the front gate to the hostel, there seems to be no reason to leave! We ended up spending much of our time resting in the common rooms and yard. We also enjoyed the short walk down the street to the most outstanding Mexican bakery, where we enjoyed the best Cuban coffee and pastries we have ever had, for under a few dollars.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel rooms are gorgeous. We had a queen-sized bed in the private Mermaid room, which is extremely serene and peaceful -- we love the paintings and peacock feathers that hang on the walls. It is more than spacious for two adults and one child. The door lock feels sufficient enough -- we were comfortable leaving our luggage while we were out -- and air-conditioning is ice-cold. While the private rooms do not contain a private bath, and the shared bath is quite small, fellow travelers are extremely courteous about keeping areas clean and respecting the time involved it takes for everyone to be able to use the bathroom.
Common Spaces
There are countless nooks with shared books, maps and pictures, and comfy seating as well as other eclectic decorations on the walls. The main common rooms contain large, comfortable couches; a computer with internet; television with movies; and boardgames. Nobody seemed to mind our one-year-old climbing and playing around, and so we think that the Everglades Hostel is very comfortable for a family with children. While we didn't meet other travelers (most were out exploring!), we're sure our future visits will involve meeting others (most hostelers are very kind and friendly and have amazing stories to share). The Everglades Hostel is definitely not for those in search of a partying hostel -- rather, a subdued and peaceful place to rest while traveling.
Summary
Our stay here was fantastic and we look forward to visiting again. We often talk about how pleasant the whole experience was -- there was not one negative point to be uncovered!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2011
Their Description
Everglades International Hostel Details
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Everglades International Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
The best day ever! This hostel is amazing! I swam in a waterfall in the garden on New Years Eve! We went on a tour into the Everglades with Jeff and kayaked next to the biggest crocodile and went right by us. You just must see this place. The city is nothing really but when they call the hostel an Urban Oasis it is true. The staff is the best and the place was really clean even for such a party as New Years. Thanks Mario for the Hookah! Be Back soon. — Anonymous , Germany (2011-01-03) Quaintly cool but dirty and full of drugs This was my second visit to this hostel, Florida city has not changed an awful lot, it is still as run down as 3 years prior. The hostel itself is a cool place though needs some work, the staff are all friendly but lack personal hygiene. The only smell stronger than the staff was the marijuana. I stayed here over the new year and it seemed that there was some hippyish event happening so these complaints may have been due to these visitors, however i dont really see it suitable for waterfall to be filled with nude people when there are families staying on the grounds. All in all it is a nice place but needs a more professional demeanor! i would stay again but only as a cheap hotel stop to give access to biscayne and the everglades. — Lars Morton , German (2010-01-17) Amazing, perfect in every way (except the mosquitos) Where can i start? i stayed here in july 09 and just like the other person before me i wish i could stay longer! they have a sexy new waterfall/lagoon that pumps up fresh water from an underground source and cascades it over you! The staff were very friendly and happy to have you stay with them. The name of the owner is Own, she was lovely! It's got a beautiful garden with lots of hammocks a lounge chairs! I could go on and on about this place! Free internet! Free phone calls within the usa! i promise you will not regret this place, you get so much more for your money than some other hostels offer!
I think they have some guided tours but i did not check these out. wish i did. My impression as a whole is that these people are hippies, but in a cool way, and they are not trying to make money from you, just to share this beautiful place. i promise you will love this place! What a find! — Ted Latto , England (2009-07-17) Wish I could have stayed longer Ok this hostel rocks! I got in late and was still able to grab a bed. I wish I was here longer but was on way back to chicago. The setup is super cool and the people are very nice. My only suggestion would be to somehow transfer this hostel down to the one in Key West. For sure a great place to crash. — Heather O. , USA - Chicago (2009-01-15) I have stayed at this hostel a few times in the past five years. My first stay was my first time traveling solo. Therefore it was especially significant to me. I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and met someone that is now one of my closest friends. Out of the many places I have stayed around the world since, this hostel is thus far the most comfortable and well run. I really enjoyed their Everglades tour on my second visit and have to say that the mexican food across the street is a must have if you like that kind of food. Another thing not to miss is a milkshake at the Robert is Here fruit stand down the road. It is a bit of a drive, but if you have the transportation it is worth it to take a ride to Shark Valley National Park. I walked instead of taking the guided bus tour and the smell in the air held a certain sweetness that just can't be described. There were many baby alligators and turtles as well as different species of flowers when I visited in the spring. Lastly, I don't recommend the alligator farm. I was disappointed with the conditions that they were kept in. — Wendy , USA (2007-04-21) An absolute delight! Like no other hostel I've been to. Unique in it's decor and atmosphere -- you feel as though you're in another place and time while staying here. A communal hippie style 1960s feel. Worth a stay if you never even left the hostel! A place to discover! The staff was delightful and pleasant. Look forward to another visit in the near future! Clean, secure, and generously stocked with a full pantry of free food! Almost too good to be true! — Gene from New York (2007-03-13) I had an absolutely wonderful stay at the Everglades Hostel and would suggest that anybody stays there and does their Everglades day tour which is wonderful. I could wax lyrical about the place for ages but you'll have to go there to believe me, it's very laid-back, friendly, and just a wonderful place to be. Definitely the best hostel I've stayed in in over three weeks in the U.S. — Cass (2007-02-10) This is a great place to stay. I loved the communal dinner, the lovely yard and the comfortable beds. It was nice and friendly. — Anonymous (2005-03-11) This was the first hostel I ever stayed at. While I can say I wasn't blown away when I first stayed here, after having crashed at a number of hostels in the past couple of weeks (on a cross-country trip to California) I can safely say that this one is cream of the crop as far as hostels go. The staff were friendly, the price was awesome, and it was as clean as hostels get. If you stay here, use the outside shower; it's tons better than the ones on the inside. Oh, and take advantage of the $3 communal dinner, too. :) — John (2005-03-03) A wonderful hostel in a wonderful place. If you want to see the Everglades - stay there. — Birgit (2005-02-15) This is the best hostel in Florida, hands down! — Mark (2005-01-20) This really is a splendid place to visit! It has a relaxed atmosphere, casual conversation and staff that are incredibly welcoming. The owner remembered me from my first visit, two years prior, and made me feel like I was visiting a friend, not staying in a hotel. And the kitchen rocks! — M.B. (2004-12-21) I wished I could have stayed here. It has great people and a great atmosphere. The beds are comfortable and when I was here the "cook" put a communal meal together for 3 bucks that was superb. I loved this place and hope I can make it back again someday. This is what a hostel should be. — Brian (2004-11-10) This hostel was amazing. It has a beautiful outdoor area, with a beautiful outdoor living room. I had the most wonderful time here. Everyone was friendly and it was great. I loved it. — Anonymous (2004-09-19) Lovely hostel, with the most comfortable beds I slept in during my whole two months hostelling in the US. The gardens at this hostel are magical - always something else to discover, and the whole place has a very friendly relaxed air. Being run around by the hostel staff to our destinations was most appreciated. — Liz (2004-07-05)