The Hostelz.com Review
The way to the hostel from the airport, Amtrak or Greyhound isn't hard to find, as there are a lot of busses running. Just ask the driver where they are going and tell them that you want go to South Beach. Several busses are going there.
The rooms air conditioned rooms aren't spacious, but they're big enough. But you won't be staying in your room much anyway while you're this near to the beach. In the bathroom, the shower and bathroom may be dirty with a lot of old stuff standing around. The rooms also include a sink and fridge, so you can store and prepare food right in your room as long as it doesn't require cooking.
There is a kitchen in the hostel, but there is hardly any equipment you could cook with--no knives or spoons, only large pots, and nothing to open a can. There is a microwave and gas stove. Just behind the kitchen is a TV area with a huge TV.
All in all, the Clay Hotel hostel isn't the cheapest in Miami, but it's a pleasant place to stay for a short while.
The rooms air conditioned rooms aren't spacious, but they're big enough. But you won't be staying in your room much anyway while you're this near to the beach. In the bathroom, the shower and bathroom may be dirty with a lot of old stuff standing around. The rooms also include a sink and fridge, so you can store and prepare food right in your room as long as it doesn't require cooking.
There is a kitchen in the hostel, but there is hardly any equipment you could cook with--no knives or spoons, only large pots, and nothing to open a can. There is a microwave and gas stove. Just behind the kitchen is a TV area with a huge TV.
All in all, the Clay Hotel hostel isn't the cheapest in Miami, but it's a pleasant place to stay for a short while.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2005
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The Clay Hotel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Best place, best times I loved staying here -- the staff is very helpful, the rooms are clean and cosy with own private bath. Kitchen downstairs is poor though. There's a lounge type thing downstairs as well -- where people meet and greet. You don't meet many people who stay in this hostel -- mostly those who you share room with. It's private and nice. I love this place and will come back again. — Djana , Russia (2008-01-29) When we got there the fridge in our room wasn't working and the a/c was leaking so we told reception and moved rooms with no problem. the rooms were small and dingy yet cleaned daily. The hostel was about three blocks from the beach which was fine. location to everything else was pretty good too. Do not stay here if you plan on doing any cooking in the kitchen. — Jon and Laura (2007-03-25) Perfectly helpful staff, ok building, room was pretty gross. The shower had an absolutely disgusting mold spot on it, and the bathroom in general had a major bug problem. A good location if you plan on being anywhere but in the hostel. Average. — Anonymous (2007-03-19) Very rude, unhelpful staff. The room had cockroaches, and there wasn't much security. They were happy enough to take my money but other than that very unhelpful. Does have lockets which was useful but I think I was lucky rather than safe staying there. — Cass (2007-02-17) Nice building, malignant staff, nonexistent security, lots of noise. Unless you have absolutely nothing of value and don't want to sleep, avoid this place. My room had a break-in during my stay, and a lot of people there ended up losing passports and cameras and other items. The staff wouldn't even call the police for us, and it appeared they had turned off the surveillance camera in the alley. It had all the signs of an inside job. The manager wouldn't even see me when I complained, instead dodging me the rest of my stay. I've been staying in hostels for years, and never has a place left a worse taste in my mouth. Normally I just shrug off poor service or facilities, but this place is a den of thieves. I hope it is razed to the ground, and thieving staff finish up their lives living in a garbage dump as ragpickers. — Enojado (2006-10-26) This hostel is very average as far as hostels go. The location is great, close to the nightlife and the beach. I didn't find the staff overly helpful, they treated me like i was just some random person that walked in off the street when i asked them for directions. The room that i stayed in stank because the drain in the bathroom was rotting, but at least there was working airconditioning, and no bugs. It's not a bad place to stay -- is better if you have friends with you. — Australia (2006-08-29) I stayed at this hostel during spring break (March 2005). It was my first time staying at a hostel and the experience was good. I met people from all over the world in the courtyard, and became good friends with some. (I'm meeting up with them in Europe later this year.) The rooms are fine. I stayed in a four-bed dorm with my friend. Both of the people we shared the room with were incredibly nice. One girl was from Germany, while the other was from Brazil. The room had an air-conditioner and a ceiling fan, a bathroom and a mini-fridge. Although I do believe there was a slight case of bedbugs. The location is excellent, in the middle of everything. The beach is two blocks away, and there are bars/clubs everywhere. The rates were reasonable. — Melanie, New York (2005-08-11) This hostel/hotel is unreliable in terms of quality. But there is some nice staff in the front but not the management, as they will not want to accommodate you in terms of prices if they give you bad deals! The dorm rooms are sometimes nice and sometimes not, depending on the people you are with in the room. But it's true about the bedbugs someone else mentioned, as some girls in my room saw them too. Well, it's a great location in a way. Espanola Way has nice restaurants and a historical feel, but you have to go past Washington to go to the beach. And there are nice things there like supermarkets and computer shops and clubs and restaurants. But also in the mornings after a night in South Beach it looks filthy on the street and you have to listen to loud construction and cleanup companies. There is no swimming pool and the common area with kitchen and big screen TV (very big) are still not very clean, unfortunately. The ocean is about 2 blocks south and will make up for the lack of swimming pool. The hotel rooms in the Clay can be very stylish and classic if you have the money but do not expect too much. It does have a refrigerator in the room and for my VIP room it had a hairdryer in the bathroom, and even a balcony. And if you take the second building it's quieter. The key cards do not work very well on the gates; it can be a nuisance. It's a bit nerve-wrecking overall but has an ambiance. I hope they will improve on the quality soon and become more decent. — Anonymous (2005-06-03) This was the first hostel I've ever stayed at, and it was one of the craziest times ever. After a few days you won't want to leave the courtyard, just make sure to keep the beer coming. It's in a great location, next to the beach, shopping, cheap markets and buses. The outer sidewalk transforms into a colorful Spanish market and cafes at night. The only bad thing was me accidentally flushing a travel shampoo in the toilet, and grossness overflowed everywhere, sorry housekeeping dude. — From Minneapolis (2005-03-29) I stayed here for four nights in July and shared a six-bed dorm room with three other girls. I have to admit my room was clean and had no bugs. The air-conditioner rattled a bit but who cares, it was something I could not do without, as it was boiling hot! One of the girls in my room had been there for three months on and off, but she was harmless and quite funny actually. There were a few other long-term people around but I actually found that quite useful, especially when I wanted local information. The desk staff can be a bit unfriendly and the Internet "machines" upstairs are way too expensive — use one of the many local Internet cafes nearby.
The location, though, is first-rate, the kitchen is big and clean and the hostel has a cozy TV room with a massive TV — great for watching films or sports. I would stay here again! — Lorraine England (2005-03-16) Some of the hostel rooms could do with an overhaul. But we always got lots of soap and clean towels and the housekeepers were very efficient. However, the main reason we (I was one of two girls) enjoyed this place was the location. Espanola Way (just next to it) is abuzz with cozy bars, restaurants, music and dancing. They even have a fantastic market on the weekend. I felt like I was in Havana — it was so cool. We came and went three times in between trips to Disneyworld and a cruise to the Bahamas. The icing on the cake would have to be the handsome staff — who bent over backwards to help you with your travel plans, luggage etc. We didn't want to leave! I am definitely going back. That in itself is worth it! — Australia (2005-01-21) I loved this hostel. It's so easy to meet people — you just hang out in the courtyards. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the location is awesome — it's in the middle of all the nightlife! The only problem we had were little bugs coming out of the wood flooring — but we loved this hostel, and the Irish pub down the road! This is the only place I will stay when I come back to Miami! — Lydia (2004-12-09) I stayed in both the dorm rooms and private rooms and found them both excellent. The rooms were clean, as were the bathrooms, and had a fridge. I had no problems with bedbugs. The hostel is situated close to the beach, shops, restaurants and nightlife. The only problem I had with this place was that sometimes guests could be inconsiderate when sitting outside and making noise. And the washing machines did take forever. I would definitely stay at this hostel again. — Anonymous (2004-10-20) This is in a great location in South Beach. But the rooms are kind of isolated from each other and it's not the best place for meeting up with other traveling types. The rooms were fine when I stayed here. — Pelican Club (2004-10-01) I wouldn't say its the most beautiful hostel in America, but the location, friendly staff, and price make up for the fact that the rooms are a bit grungy and there are some "odd" people staying here. Granted, I do not have any bedbug stories, but I would stay here again in a heartbeat since it is so close to the beach, and also to lots of great restaurants, and you don't need a car. And the gorgeous guys working at the front desk don't hurt, either! A little eye candy is always a nice addition to any vacation! — Drake Bay (2004-09-29)