Gram’s Place

I just finished staying overnight at Grams. We had a wonderful stay, Christine was welcoming even at the super late hour when we arrived. Our bed in the Jazz room was very comfortable and we had everything we needed for a good nights sleep. This was our first hostel experience and we are happy we decided to stay. In the morning we made French toast topped with a banana and eggs (complementary ingredients). It was great waking up and having a homemade breakfast. We briefly met Maggie (hostel pup) and a cute little cat. Everyone was very nice! Don’t forget to bring the basic toiletries –shampoo, etc. We look forward to keeping up with the place on Facebook and Christine’s blog in the fall detailing her many adventures!

This was my first hostel experience. I absolutely adore this place. I cannot express how much I loved staying here. I stayed in the country girls dorm bunk room. July 4^th week, ’15 from Sunday-​Friday July 3^rd. I wanted to avoid weekend holiday traffic so I came before the 4^th of July celebrations and this was an excellent strategy. The entire place was clean, cozy and mostly quiet. Since I stayed in a communal room there were a couple of in one night out the next day guests so that made it difficult to sleep, but that was only two nights. From Tue-​Thu night I had the entire bunk room to myself. Which is good bc I’m a light sleeper. I had to share a bathroom with another couple and a small group throughout week, but I was just using this place to nap after beach trips and sleep at night so we never ran into any issues. They offer free basic breakfast which helped bc this was a budget beach trip. I was able to see ybor and have delicious beer at cigar city. I saw how pretty Tampa was at night with the lights and water. Drive by the Davis island yacht club for some puzzle like pictures of the boats. You will more than likely see a manatee if you head down just a few more minutes southeast to Apollo beach. It was convenient to EVERYTHING and at $ 25 a night as a solo, young traveler that can’t be beat!

This is the America worth fighting for. Place was funky & quiet& ‘can do’ at the same time.

Had a great time at Grams place! Bruce was very accommodating and friendly and we will definitely be back when we are in the Tampa area.

Made a Unilocal account for the sole purpose of writing this (long) review. But first, I’d like to address the one negative review written by a person who clearly has never actually stayed at Gram’s:
Re: the customer service complaints — I had some issues with my reservation (dates and such) and didn’t realize until a week before I was scheduled to arrive. I gave them a call and everything was fixed within a minute. They were professional and courteous the entire time. Had this been at a hotel instead, it would have taken a lot longer to resolve my issue and it more than likely would have cost me money. Quit grasping at straws. Some people will complain about anything.
Re: the «safety issue» — complaining Gram’s is unsafe because you feel the area is unsafe is ridiculous. To rate this place 1 star based on how you feel about the neighborhood is unfair, especially when you have not stayed there. Based on my experience, I can assure the rest of you Gram’s is 100% safe. They have security cameras, security codes and locks on nearly every door, and also work hard to ensure their guests are comfortable at all times even if that means getting rid of guests that make other people uncomfortable or ruin their experience. They work very hard to maintain a relaxed, vacation-​y vibe and go about it perfectly.
While Gram’s is clearly open and accepting of all types of people from all walks of life, it’s clear it is not the place for everybody. Especially uppity types that are looking for 5-​star luxurious accommodations on the cheap.
On to my review!
We were in town for a music festival and found this place online. The reviews were stellar we decided to extend our stay in order to enjoy Gram’s to the fullest cause it was so obviously our cup of tea. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life!
The owner, Bruce, is awesome — very hospitable! He told us about a million and one things to do in Tampa within the first 7 min of us being there. Bruce and house mum Christine provided us with rides most of the times we needed to get anywhere which was totally unexpected and extremely appreciated! It was honestly like staying with family.
The inn is eccentric and cozy. I felt right at home. The décor is fascinating, you always find something new with every scan of the place. There are lots of areas to just kick it and socialize with everyone but everybody tends to gravitate towards the outdoor bar/​hot tub area which is well equipped with seating, fans, a stereo system, a TV, the whole nine yards. Basically how I wish my backyard looked.
We stayed in the Amsterdam room for 25 bucks a night. I didn’t really spend much time up there, just to sleep, so I don’t really have much to say. The room itself, bedding, and bathroom were all clean, no complaints whatsoever.
The overall vibe of the place is extremely chill and laidback. I’ve never felt THIS comfortable surrounded by strangers. Met so many awesome people, everyone I met during my stay I felt I knew my entire life! And by sheer luck, some of the other guests we met at Gram’s happened to be in town for the same reason as us, so we all ended up going together and enjoying the festival in a group. Also had the pleasure of meeting Maggie, the resident dog, who is the most adorable, food-​loving penguin-​pup I’ve ever met.
I’ve always said the people you meet during your travels make the difference between a pleasant trip and the perfect trip. I’m lucky to have had the latter. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have ended up here and to have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and experience the festival and other parts of Florida with my Gram Fam. This is the sort of experience a hotel/​motel cannot offer no matter how hard they try. I will say, however, the one issue I have with Gram’s is that I know no other hostel I ever stay at will ever hold a candle to Gram’s.
Thank you Gram Fam for the unforgettable experience! I had such an amazing time and I can’t wait to come back!

Great spot and great price, very homey and cozy with decent amenities. Its in a quaint part of town, will be staying here every time we come to tampa. We had the private room but met ppl in the common areas, everyone was nice & staff very helpful.

I only spent one night here but I found it very enjoyable. The rooms were very clean and the owner was extremely kind and welcoming. A cool place to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

I was happy I was able to get a bed here on a Saturday. I stayed in the «Country Room.» It was a cute, shared room with a bunk bed & 2 twin size beds. For what I paid, it was sufficient. I chilled by the Jacuzzi with everyone else & it honestly felt like we were all friends. It was good drinks, good vibes with good people. I loved it there so much I decided to stay an extra day.
It is a family owned business & the owner is a wonderful guy. If you want to get to know the more «hippie» side of Tampa, this is the place to stay!
I saw that some people had concerns about the neighborhood. I assure you it’s safe, plus I walked around the neighborhood & there’s nothing to worry about it. It may look a tad beat up, but everyone I encountered on my walk were friendly.

I came across Gram’s Place while looking for a reasonably priced place to stay for a conference. I thought the idea of themed rooms was great, and even staying in a private room I paid a lot less than the prices offered at other places in the area. Booking was easy, as was check-​in. I met some very nice people from around the world. I was only a couple of miles away from the conference I was attending, very convenient to everything Tampa has to offer. There have been comments about the area… eh, it was safe inside Gram’s Place and even when I was outside no one bothered me. On the other hand, I don’t go to new places acting like a tourist, so people don’t generally know I“m not from the area.
Bottom line: you meet good people in a chill atmosphere and you feel very much at home. I plan to return the next time I’m in Tampa.

Ok so I have to start with a quick little response to the super negative review below who was very concerned with safety. Yes, the neighborhood is a little sketch but it’s YBOR! The whole place is sketchy, that’s the fun of it… But the hostel is NOT unsafe in any way, there are security cameras all over the premises inside and out, the property is extremely secure.
Now for my review:
This is THE BEST hostel I have EVER visited. This place is a dream! The décor is a cluttered collection, a vast array of junk treasure that will have your eyes wandering constantly. My sister and I stayed for 3 days and 2 nights and couldn’t have had a better time. The staff and owners were EXTREMELY accommodating and super fun to hang out with. We went to tampa/​ybor/​st pete for the specific purpose of going to a concert and planned on staying for a little extra time to go out a couple nights to bars/​clubs close by, but this place was so fun and the people were so chill that we actually preferred to stay there and party instead. Met some great people and some cool travelers. This is the PERFECT place for anyone who has a case of wanderlust. I will definitely be back soon!

It’s a hostel… so be familiar with hostel lodging or you might be disappointed. This said, Gram’s place is the ONLY reasonable, safe housing choice if you are flying into Tampa on a budget.
It is a 70’s throwback and you will meet a lot of really nice people. Bruce, the owner is a warm– hearted sweet man who will chill with you and throw back a beer or two with you on the patio. Luis who is the property manager couldn’t have been nicer and set us up with a couple of bikes to use while we were there.
There is all sorts of really unique music memorabilia and also there is impromptu jam sessions on the weekends. Many of the guests are international and frequent hostel travelers.
You can save a bunch of money by cooking up your own food in the community kitchen and Bruce is nice enough to provide coffee and eggs and bread for you free in the morning.
Its more a community than a hotel room. Also it is close to bus lines, but the neighborhood is not located in any tourist area, although there is a small park next door.– NOT recommended for families with young children. But 2 people can easily share a private room for $ 60 or a single can get a bunk in a shared dorm for @$ 25. There are all kinds of little nooks to sit on the small property with a book and relax. The beaches of Clearwater are only about a 30 minute drive away and Ybor City is a decent day trip for shopping and history.

If you like it when things are out of the ordinary, you need to come here.
If you don’t, there are plenty of Comfort Inns, etc, around Tampa.
We stayed here just one night, and didn’t really get to experience what Gram’s is all about. This is probably because I’m awkward and stuff, but hey — I know an awesome hostel when I see one.
The space is amazing, for a place you can sit around and enjoy all day, for only $ 25 or so, it’s unbeatable. You are sleeping in a work of art. Hopefully more than sleeping there… the people seem to be really cool as well, and this sort of place attracts interesting folk.
I really think Justin F. needs to delete or rethink his review. Yeah, if you get a really bad feeling about a place after driving by once, don’t go, but also don’t give it one star because you saw «some guy» sitting outside.
On that note, you will probably be a little puzzled when you drive up. Gram’s doesn’t look like a hotel at all, and barely looks like a hostel. Keep calm and carry on… you’ll have a great time.

I can’t recommend this place to anyone. We were driving up close to the place and the neighborhood is horrible. When I drove past the place it looked as sketch as can be. As my girlfriend put it, when I’m not feeling safe then it definitely raises a red flag. Not to mention, some guy was randomly sitting outside, making me feel even more uneasy.
I guess the only thing that could’ve helped would be the over the phone customer service. Whoever we spoke to, to book the room and give the courtesy «no thanks» call, was very rude. I would’ve hoped for a «cheery» over the phone personality, but that was far from it. It was a simple «hey, what’s the name? card number? OK, see ya then» in a very unhappy tone. Then when we cancelled he just complained about how many times he could’ve booked the room. A real business owner would’ve known to give all those folks a call back to let them know a room was available and wished us well on our way and asked us what could’ve been done better.
I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, but when safety’s involved and I have a gut feeling, I tend to go with my gut. I wish I could’ve experienced this place and been able to write a review like the other folks have gotten, but safety is key for me and I would never recommend this place to someone if you’re trying to stay safe.

FUNNN!!! Oh yes… you have to see it before believing it…
When driving up here, I must admit: I felt a bit unsafe. I can’t imagine this is one of Tampa’s best neighbourhoods, so to speak. So I wasn’t really sure what to expect… I had read beautiful reviews about this place, but while we were looking for it, meeeeeeh let’s just say: ignore the surroundings and just go for it. It. Will. Get. Better!
Gram’s Place is basically a hippie playground; it’s a ‘compound’ filled with all sorts of kitschy knick-​knacks form around the world, the atmosphere is über-​relaxed, the people that stayed there are mostly young travelers /​backpackers and no worries: it’s not a hostel that you have to share bunk beds with a whole group (only if you want to), but they have ‘private rooms’ as well. To be fair, that’s a bit more up my alley…
We arrived quite late; Bruce (the owner) opened the door and is such a cool, genuinely nice host! And it felt I stepped into a musical Wonderland; the place is dedicated to the late singer/​songwriter Gram Parsons, so the whole atmosphere & all the rooms just breath ‘music’; the rooms are musically themed (we stayed in the ‘Jazz Room’) and all the surroundings are just covered with musical instruments, sheets of music, CD /​LP covers and what not.
We did some shopping at a local grocery store and used the BBQ; oh yes… there’s a great BBQ at one of the patio’s for everyone to use as they please! So I stood there, in the warm weather with a can of Miller’s, baking my burgers & sausages and I felt like such a Bohemian traveller!
Yes, to be fair, I gave it 5 stars as the service was great, the room was tidy & clean, we had our own little bathroom, the atmosphere was just brilliant and totally unexpected. I do realize, this is perhaps not for everyone… if you’re into posh hotels, this is not your thing. If you’re up for über privacy, then perhaps you need to stay in your room. If you’re creeped out by the thought that you share a kitchen & you need to do your own dishes afterwards, this is not the place for you.
For me, I saw the beauty of it and I loved staying here. It’s nothing I have ever seen before and I find it truly unique; it’s very low key, it’s a tad kitschy, you can definitely play hide & seek everywhere or stand on the roof. They wouldn’t mind, it’s the traveller’s way!

Great place! Had a great time there, bruce and luis were so nice and they welcomed us like we were family.

I was amazed with the place, the friendly atmosphere, and every single detail about Gram’s Place. The decoration surprises you with a cute and fun message on every corner! It is a magical place where you can relax, meet great people and make new friends (I did) and also enjoy the live entertainment and concerts held by the place over the weekends. Have a special room you desire? Ask and they might have exactly the room you are looking for! The rooms are themed and super fun, you will have a great time. Breakfast is included and for nerds like me, there is free Wi-​Fi for guests and you can surf the web outdoors on the second floor with an amazing panoramic view. I look forward to coming back to see my new friends soon. Yes, I met some awesome people at Gram’s, some that I will bring along during my life’s journey as friends for my lifetime. Highly recommended, very happy and will definitely be back!

Fun owner. Great live music. If you are looking for a hostel, this might be the place for ou.

I really loved my stay at Gram’s Place! It’s hard to find hostels in the US, but this place is awesome. It’s super cute/​quirky and decorated in a French Quarter New Orleans style outside.
As it’s a hostel, don’t expect too much. I stayed in the «Country Room,» which was the larger shared room with four twin beds. They were a little squeaky, but comfortable. Sheets and blankets, as well as fans a space heaters were available.
The public space is cool — you could spend an entire day reading all the pictures, posters, books, and general clutter, but in gives in a neat homey feel. Kitchen is open and supplies of breakfast (coffee, bread, eggs, milk, pancake mix, etc.) are all available. I wish I had more time to explore the outdoor area. There is a bar, a cooler with beer (drop $ 2 in the jar for one), a jacuzzi, and stairs to the roof and a tree-​house/​balcony.
The hosts were very nice and welcoming. I only stayed one night, so didn’t get much time to visit/​talk with them, but they seemed really chill.
I only stayed for one night, and I almost wish I had changed my itinerary so I could stay another day — if I ever go back to Tampa, I’ll definitely be at Gram’s!

This place is super cute in that quirky, I’m-not-sure-I’m-cool-enough-to-stay-here sort of way.
I have been in customer service most of the last ten years. In that time, I have made a lot of mistakes. What I have learned about good customer service is accepting when mistakes happen and recovering well from them. I really think the measure of world-​class customer service is measured not by how few mistakes happen, but how you recover from them when the do occur.
This review could be a lot different. After checking in at 11pm, I had some time to kill, so I surfed the internet and went for a walk. By the time I was ready for bed, it was 2am. It was only then that I discovered there was a problem with my accommodations. I had to leave at an unfortunate hour and find more acceptable housing. I left a note detailing the issue.
First thing the next morning, the manger called, apologized profusely and refunded my account.
Yes, there was a problem. But he recovered from it exactly as I would have hoped.

Somehow I ran across a note about this place online and wondered if it had been Unilocaled yet. It has not, so allow me to share.
A few years ago, I used to spend weeks on end working in Tampa and got very familiar with the area. As you can imagine, week after week of hotels gets expensive– and boring. I did a little research and found Gram’s Place. What a find! It’s not your average… well, anything! Its an eclectic somewhat «hippy-​style» lodging where you will not be lonely or bored. Its been described as «a cross between Key West and Amsterdam».
I stayed in two different rooms, what are now called the «Blues Room» and in the «Adventure Room.» The Blues Room was located in the main house and has a really old kitchen that they call the «I Love Lucy» kitchen. The Adventure Room was basically a shed with bunks. Both were totally adequate– comfortable bed with clean linens and facilities. You can certainly rest your head here. Breakfast was «fix it yourself» at the time, now you can bring your own cereal or head out and grab.
The Jacuzzi was very nice and welcome after a long day at work. Best of all though, was the free and easy atmosphere and the music that fellow guests played. It was like staying with a friend.
If you are open-​minded, not in need of much amenities and would like to feel more «at home» than «on the road» check it out!