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All 20 Key West accommodations

Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel: Traveler Reviews

718 South Street, Key West, FL 33040
Hotel amenities
Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
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103 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    5
    23
    20
    22
    33
Date Rating
San Francisco, California
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Small, shabby, & fascist”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed January 21, 2012

My brother and I stayed here in one of the private rooms. I would definitely not return, and recommend staying elsewhere.

Pros:
- nice courtyard
- so-so location
- not totally filthy
- A/C was adequate (in January at night)
- in-room fridge

Cons:
- Very little social atmosphere - very surprising for a hostel in a vacation town.
- Tiny (twin size), ancient, hard beds.
- Alcohol is not permitted in the lovely courtyard, on pain of immediate eviction without refund (is this legal in FL?). Thus the courtyard is much much less pleasant for socializing than it otherwise would be. This was one of a whole list of petty, fascist "rules" guests are required to sign when checking in.
- Floor was kinda dirty - like it had been swept, but not mopped recently.
- No water cup provided.
- Overpriced ($145 including tax) for what you get.
- Super slow office staff.
- Office closes at 8pm.
- They don't answer their phone for reservation inquiries, nor do they return voicemails.
- Location is close to the boring end of Duval Street - the end w/ most of the entertainment is quite a hike.

  • Stayed January 2012, traveled with friends
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 6
Ask ubernerd about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
2 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“expensive and cold”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed January 16, 2012

the staff are very good, but there is very cold at night. We only have a thin bed sheet and the air conditioner is broken. So that I have a little fever.
And the location is very far away from the mallory square.

  • Stayed January 2012, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Ask Weiling50 about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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Chicago, Illinois
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Just a hostel!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 9, 2012

Clean sheets and locked door is about all that is provided, but this is a GREAT way to see Key West if you're on a budget. Sure, it can be loud and the bunk beds are rickety, but you are sure to meet interesting people and have a place to simply crash after a day of experiencing the island. Be sure to bring any and all amenities with you, including hand soap, towels, etc.

I traveled alone and felt safe the whole time- all of the women in the hostel that night were also solo travelers!

Room Tip: I only stayed in the female hostel. All rooms, I think, are attached to the courtyard where other gu...
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, traveled solo
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
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Ask Em M about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Toronto
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Private Double Room a Great Value”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 18, 2011

I traveled to Key West with my brother for a weekend away and only found the hostel once we arrived, no reservations. We were lucky they had a private room left and it's SO much cheaper than staying in a hotel there. The motel is a couple blocks from everything, we walked to the beach and downtown with ease. The room was nice as far as hostels go, with a private bathroom, 2 beds, a closet, refrigerator and a/c. There's car parking and a keyed gate around the motel.

Stayed February 2011, traveled with friends
Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Ask MazzaRazza_83 about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dundee, Michigan
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“nice place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 25, 2011

You Can't expect 5 five stars while trying traveling on a budget. This palce has a great Keys feel and staff is freindly. The courtyard area is great to sit and chit-chat with people from all over the globe. I have stayed here for years and will continue to do so. The owners continue to keep the palce nice. Just blocks from Duval Steet and Higgs Beach and Whit Steet Pier. There is a small cafe just two blocks down, "Anna's" you can get a breakfast made to order with great Cuban Coffee. I would recommend this to anyone

  • Stayed February 2011, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Ask Caldwell4321 about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Motel

Also Known As:
Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Hotel Key West
Key West Youth Hostel And Seashell Motel
Key West Youth Hostel & Seashell Hotel
Key West Hostel
Address: 718 South Street, Key West, FL 33040
Region: United States > Florida > Florida Keys > Key West
Amenities:
Free Parking
Hotel Style:
Ranked #19 of 20 Specialty lodging in Key West
Price Range: $
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