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Hostelling International New York Hostel
Rating Details »
891 Amsterdam Ave
(between 103rd St & 104th St)
New York, NY 10025
(212) 932-2300
(between 103rd St & 104th St)
New York, NY 10025
(212) 932-2300
- Nearest Transit:
-
103rd St (1)
103rd St (B, C)
10 reviews for Hostelling International New York Hostel
This was my first time staying in a hostel. I think I should've had this experience earlier in my life.
Reasonably so, this building is old. From the outside it has a lot of character, reminiscent of a historic orphanage. Inside, our floor was undergoing renovation. The floor above ours was a lot nicer.
My friends and I shared a private room that sleeps four. Room included two sets of bunk beds; 4 lockers large enough to store a reasonable-size suitcase; desk; sheet + blanket for each bed. Be sure to bring a lock for your locker, unless you want to purchase one at the hostel. We used the shared bathroom down and around the hall.
Bathrooms were dingy. 3 shower stalls. 1 of the 3 had a bench to set your stuff on. The other two didn't and you had to make due with hanging your clothes/toiletry on hooks. It was awkward to use. I smashed a cockroach while showering, I only had one sighting thankfully...during peak hours you had to wait to use these showers.
The social areas of this Youth Hostel were nice. Lots of places to lounge on the main floor:
- Lounge with lots of books and magazines.
- Lounge that looked loungy.
- Internet pay-station areas.
- Courtyard with strung festive-colored lights - sometimes they have a DJ.
- I didn't see the kitchen, but read they have one.
- Snack bar.
They also have a list of sight-seeing / activity trips that you can sign up for. Info. desk helpful to point you in the right direction.
Elevator doors occasionally got stuck while we were there, but we eventually got the hang of unsticking them. We used the stairs many times during our stay and got a 'free' workout.
This hostel is conveniently located a block away from a Metro station.
All-in-all stay here if you're looking for an economical place to store your things and sleep, mingle with folks from all over the world, and don't mind that lived in feeling.
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I've stayed in hostels all over the world, both independent and HI-affiliated, so based on my experiences, this is what I come to expect from a HI-affiliated hostel:
- ultra clean
- sterile, bland social environment
So, this is my opinion of the HI New York:
Cleanliness: In terms of HI standards, below average, mostly because of the bathrooms. They weren't filthy, but they were due for a cleaning. The bedrooms and common areas were fine. Overall, pretty much what you'd expect at an average independent hostel.
Social atmosphere: Above average for a HI hostel. At most HI hostels I've stayed at, most people are in bed before midnight and not a lot of people socialize in the common areas. Here, the common areas were jammed full of people. Granted, most of them were staring at a computer screen, but at least people weren't shutting themselves off in their own rooms.
Staff: Probably could use a bit of an attitude adjustment. They always answered your questions, but it seemed like they weren't happy doing it. When I actually got one of the staff to smile, it felt like a major accomplishment.
Not a bad place to stay, but since you're not getting the ultra cleanliness you'd normally get from a HI hostel, you're probably better off going to an independent hostel with a better social atmosphere.
One of the best hostels I've stayed in during my East Coast trip. While Boston (equally as good in different ways) has free baggage checking, breakfast, and consistently working internet terminals, the NYC HI offers better shower facilities and more professional service. It's also just two blocks from the subway.
Occasionally, an internet terminal will steal your money. Feel free to report it. No one there gives a damn. They won't even put up a sign. I've had to personally save many a poor traveler from repeating my mistake.
And the rooms hold a LOT of guys...
(3 am)
Guy In Top Bunk: *SNORE*
Guy In Bottom Bunk: Ugh...
GITB: *SN--SNOORREE*
GIBB: Groan... [kicks the bed above] *cough* *cough* *COUGH!!*
GITB: ...
GIBB: ...
GITB: *SNOOOOORRREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
GIBB: Sigh... [gets out of bed]
GITB: *sn..*
GIBB: *rustling of plastic bags*
GITB: ...
GIBB: *rustling of plastic bags*
GITB:
Me: (Oh, shit! He killed him!!)
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I really enjoyed my stay here. The beds weren't the most comfortable, but I didn't spend enough time in them to really have complaints. It's located pretty close to things, so it made going out and seeing the sights very easy.
I stayed at the hostel by myself, but quickly met people who were also staying at the hostel. I had a blast travelling with them.
If you're looking for a cheap alternative to hotels, and don't require amenities like private bathrooms or bedrooms, give HI a try. I think you'll like it.
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I can't believe that nobody has rated Hostelling International NYC yet!?
Back in my first year in college, I was 18. A group of us decided that we were going to NYC to for the Thanks Giving weekend. Although I had been to NYC many times before, it was the first time that a group of young kids taking a trip to a different city. We were poor and wanted to save money, so we booked into the Hostelling International NYC. They have three types of rooms --- Big Hall Style (reminds me of boarding school) with 10 + bunkbeds, Medium Size with 3 buckbeds and individual room with a twin size. HI - NYC offers probably one of the cheapest place to sleep in the big apples --- for less than $40/night (back then) clean sheet, clean pillows, the price was really good.
They have breakfast, but it's NOT free. There is a food court in the lobby and it opens in the morning. Stuff aren't cheap in NYC. There's also internet room, tv room on the first floor and laundry room on the 2nd floor.
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This was where I stayed when I first visited NYC as a backpacking traveller. Pretty standard amenities. Even though it's located in the UWS, it's easy to get around with the subway, which was really close by.
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I found the location reasonable (considering the price), it's about 2 blocks from the subway and buses are available nearby to get you downtown.
You do get a comfortable bunk bed in a dorm room shared with a few other people. You have a locker but you'll need your own padlock (you can buy 1 from the reception). I was in a room facing the road and I had the bed right next to the window. On the up side is you get the sunlight in the morning to wake you up, on the down side you get the traffic noise.
I must say the area feels a bit rough at night but if you travel with other people then it should be ok.
While I do enjoy the luxury and privacy of staying in a hotel, staying at a hostel is a totally different experience. The best thing I found about staying in a hostel is the people you get to meet. I was sharing with a bunch of english people and we ended up travelling together and made a few new friends I'd never have made if I stayed in a hotel.
NB: You'll need to be a member of YHA/HI to stay there, if you are a non-member, you'll have to buy a 'stamp' for each night of your stay. Get 6 stamps and they will exchange it for a 1 year membership.
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i now live in NYC but wheni was here for a week looking for an apt..
i stayed here... .... very clean...
theres a kitchen.. downstairs....and a place to keep your food cold.. as well...
met a buncha cool peeps from all over the world... toured the town with them on some days... i would never change having to shower in flip flops.... for the privacy and luxury of a hotel...
had alot of fun here....
like a huge dormatory...
note:
1.NYC residents cant stay here....
2.the prices were really cheap i stayed for seven days.. it the only totaled $207 bucks... super reasonable.....
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If you're going to NYC with friends and you don't want to spend oodles of money for a hotel, this is a good option. The beds are clean and decently comfortable, the bathrooms are clean and have hot water. There's 1) a cafe downstairs where you can get a cheap breakfast and coffee to start your day 2) internet for $3/30 minutes and wireless if you have your own 3) a gift shop where you can pick up last minute souvenirs 4) lots of entertainment going on downstairs (movies, games, etc.). They offer tours and little group outings and you can meet lots of cool people from around the world. The main bad thing I would say is the location - you don't want to be coming home late by yourself or with just a few girls, not safe. But once your inside everything is fine! So take a cab to get home at night, no subways and you'll be good. Also, reserve reserve reserve! When I was in the lobby I saw lots of people coming in looking for a bed/room and they were told that the hostel was completely full - so book IN ADVANCE!
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Ok, I hated this place. If I was 10 years younger, it would have been great but I did the dorm/community bathroom thing in college and it wasn't fun then, so it's definitely not now. I arrived about 1:00 and was not able to check-in so they pointed me to the lockers where I could pay $5 to store my luggage for 24 hours. I did not get back until 11:00pm. I reserved a 4-bed female room and was given a 6-bed co-ed room for just a few dollars cheaper. When I got to my room, 4 of the people were there and already in bed and it's pitch black in the room. Someone gets up and shows me that I have a light at my bed which basically lights up the whole room anyway. The bathrooms were disgusting, the counters were wet, the floors were wet, just not a pretty sight. They do provide bedding and towels here. Plus most of the people staying there looked like they were in their early-late teens. I thought I would feel better once I got some sleep but no, nothing had changed so I went on line and found a hotel and checked-out. It was after check-out but they still gave me my money back except for the $6 they keep for not giving them a 24-hour notice for an early check-out. You need to buy a membership which is $28 or you can pay $3 extra a night to stay here. They are literally all over the world but I don't travel to many places where I would need to stay at a hostel. Again, it would have been nice if I was younger as there was plenty to do. They had a snack bar, a gift shop, several computers with Internet access, what looked like a movie room which a large screen and chairs, another room with multiple chairs/couches and plasma TVs. The location is nice but a bit out of the way. It is on the Upper West Side, a block off the 1 train and 2 blocks from Central Park.
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