Beds N' Drinks — Hotel in Miami Beach

My 2nd time booking this place and although they made some significant upgrades, there’s a few things that still need improvement on. Keep in mind that the majority of the staff is Spanish speaking so I found both times I stayed that they seem to give preferential treatment to other Spanish speaking guest--So beware if you are native and don't speak Spanish. I feel sometime they may not really understand English because they seem to just repeat the rules to you as if they understand what you are staying and think they know what you are asking or speaking about instead of ACTUALLY listening to you to response with some sense. The customer service is way off and biased.

I also do not like the way the system is set up to assign beds. I somehow was assigned to the last room (#210) all the way in the back (the Wifi was HORRIBLE btw) but was given the first bed in front by the door when all the other beds were open. Why would I want the first bed closes to the door, bathroom and shower -- ESPECIALLY IF I AM STAYING LONGER!! The logic doesn't add up.

They still give out those wristbands each day which is ridiculous because who wants everyone in Miami Beach to know you’re staying at a hostel—it’s definitely not a VIP exclusive club. LOL I mean it’s located in the heart of Miami Beach were pretentiousness runs rampant so to make someone wear that around there wrist is wild!

They don’t have a common kitchen anymore because I guess the staff couldn't keep up the one they had properly. Last time I was here it was a nasty-way-too-small of a room that was unkempt and ill-equip. They could have just done better with having the right appliances and organizing it. Maybe they can use that back room that they use as a “lounge” for guest to keep food and have a place to prepare meals for those that prefer to save money from the outrageous prices in Miami Beach. Instead it’s a large room I’m guessing that used to be a “cafe” were it just looks like unused square footage they could be making more useful.

Secondly, they give you this laminated free drink ticket to get a free drink from their bar. The only option was beer which they give you in the smallest plastic drinking cup. Last time it was a shot of some pre made drink that I question even had an ounce of alcohol in it. The prices at the bar for a drink is outrageous considering it’s an economical hostel but I guess they assume everyone has money to buy expensive drinks from the money they saved from booking there.

So there’s the “tv room” where they open up at a certain time for guest to use. Personally, I’m not sure why they would keep the two LARGE doors open the way they do. They way they interior decorated the room is cute but they didn’t think about logistics. They have the tv on the opposite wall from the entry of the room so anyone who walks by can see all in and what you’re watching. Not a big deal however it would have been SMARTER to put the large screen tv on the wall to the right of the room as you enter and position the lounge chairs on the left side of the room. Then decorate the extra games and wall desk adjacent to the doors of entry. Plus they having cameras in there for Christ sakes so why does the doors need to be open??!!! They may need to put signs up so no one can touch the plug to the tv. They give you remote in exchange for your ID, btw. There was an issue with the remote no turingin the TV on and NO ONE tried to assist with the problem; instead I was told that someone was coming in an hour to check it out. I am a female and I figured it out on my own. Not one single soul who worked there or was on the clock at the moment I needed them, did NOT bring their asses upstairs to troubleshoot the issue or even attempt to humor me with some customer service. Instead I did it on my own and found out the damn cords were unplugged.

And lastly, the internet SUX!!! Is there a way for them to properly have WiFi throughout the whole building? My room was in back, room 210 and the connection frequently timed out!! So frustrating but I guess you pay for...

This was my first stay at a hostel. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't really this.

Firstly, it's located in an awesome spot. You can walk to almost anything which is awesome because parking a rental car in this area is nearly impossible if you're looking for street parking. It's surrounded by permitted parking for residents or daily paid parking lots.

The hostel itself has a really nice outdoor space that has tables and chairs and it's always full of people, but there was never a time when I couldn't find a seat. They have a bar area right next to this outdoor area which is convenient and necessary because they don't allow any outside alcoholic beverages. If you didn't purchase it there, don't drink it on the premises - there's a sign taped to every table to make sure you know.

My biggest gripe was with the room. The common area had lockers and a sink with a mirror, but NO VANITY LIGHT. There were mirrors all over the place including a full-length one, but none of them had any kind of lighting except for the one in the toilet. Very ill thought out. There are 8 people in the room (women) and the only mirror with a light is in with the toilet so if you need that light for makeup, everyone else has to wait to pee. I found myself apologizing to the other girls way too often for wanting to put on mascara.

EDIT!

I'm editing this review for two reasons. The first is that I'm reading other reviews about the front desk staff and the deposit, and I wanted to share my experience. Regarding the front desk: I am a white woman and I had absolutely no issues whatsoever with the front desk attendants. I actually found them fun! When I was checking in, we had a nice conversation in which we were all laughing, and the woman recognized me the following day when my key wasn't working. She made quick work of getting me a new key without any hassle, without having to show ID, or anything else. They were great. Regarding the deposit: if you read what you're signing when you book, it clearly says that there is a deposit for a towel and key and it is only returned to you if you return both your towel and room key. If you don't like that idea, don't book the room. I returned both and got my deposit back without any issues.

I will say one other thing. I booked this stay online and then missed my flight because it was the middle of winter and my boiler broke. I have dogs and had to make sure they had heat before I left. Since I would have had to book a last minute flight at a premium price, I chose to drive instead, making me 2 days later than I thought I'd be. I didn't call to inform them because I assumed the spot was mine regardless of when I turned up since I had already paid for it, but when I tried to check in, they informed me that my reservation had been canceled which I was kind of shocked about. I asked if they had a spot I could book, and they did, but it cost me nearly triple what I paid for my original stay and I was only staying two nights at that point so it did feel a little like I was...

**Why Beds n Drinks sucked:

They charged me additional hidden taxes when I got there. I booked through their official website, and the taxes (14%) weren’t included in the online booking quote. The front desk insisted that it was mentioned in their ‘Terms of contract’ when I booked, but the ‘Terms of contract’ button on the website was broken, so you wouldn’t ever know. Wasn’t on the emailed receipt either.

I showed the front desk and sent a more official email with my receipt and a screen capture video explaining the problem. No compensation. No help. Just a super brief response email reiterating that I would have to pay the extra charges.

No hot water- just luke warm.

Smells like chlorine everywhere even though there’s no pool.

They moved all of our unpacked stuff around in the room while we were out and then made us change rooms in the middle of our stay because they overbooked. Didn’t compensate for the inconvenience (we asked).

Weird locker shape so not all combo locks will fit. I had to go buy one twice from the CVS down the street.

TV room isn’t accessible late night.

Cramped atmosphere. Very low overhead in the beds.

Had weak cell signal (Verizon) and terrible Wifi in both rooms I was in. Reception in the lobby was fine, though.

Someone stole my pizza out of the fridge. There’s no freezer.

The free breakfast is super limited. One flavor of bagels and/or packaged yogurt. They didn't have cream cheese for the bagels. No juice, milk, or coffee, at least when I was there.

You’ll have to wear a Beds n Drinks wristband the whole time.

They won’t give you your free drink ticket unless you remind them to do it (same for multiple guests I talked to).

Decent happy hour, but the free drink ticket they advertise only gets you a PBR, a cheap mixed drink, or a glass of even cheaper wine.

**Silver lining:

Pretty close to the beach, Soundscape Park, and a bunch of shops.

Nice bartenders and pleasant front desk staff, at least.

They did keep my luggage secure for an hour before I checked in, but that seems pretty standard for a hotel/hostel.

Rooms are super cold, but I was able to score extra blankets.

There's a drinking water purifier and plastic cutlery in the kitchenette.

**Is all of this just normal or necessary for an affordable hostel?

Answer: No, I’m staying at a different hostel right now (Freehand) for the same price and it blows Beds n Drinks out...