At this super-hip hostel-hotel hybrid, travelers split evenly between the four-person, bunk-bed dorms and private rooms. All feature warm woods, bright tiles and Central American–tinged fabrics. Everyone mingles in the totem-pole-filled common area and groovy Broken Shaker bar. The Freehand works best as a hostel, its dorms spiffier than most, with en-suite bathrooms and privacy curtains around each bed.
As a hotel, rooms are small and not great value. That said, the location is great, in the thick of trendy shops, restaurants and nightlife venues. A free continental breakfast is included for dorm dwellers only.
