West Side YMCA

Having stayed in a room at the YMCA in Flushing, Queens, I already had some sort of idea and expectation (minimal) of what I would be getting as far as what their rooms are like and amenities. This is basically a very large hostel with shared bathrooms on each floor, bunk-bed rooms and small single beds for solo travelers like me. I also realize that like most visitors to NYC, you aren’t going to be spending a lot of time inside your (hotel) room except for getting a night’s sleep. So all I was expecting was a clean and comfortable room to have as a base in Manhattan and get me through the night. Unfortunately, it couldn’t even deliver that. Here is what awaited me in my room: • Lot’s of hair all over the floor. Clearly they don’t mop/vacuum/sweep it between guests. • Paint chipping/pealing on the walls and/or window. • No shade/blinds on the 2 east facing windows, so forget any privacy. No charge for natural lighting coming from the early morning rising sun. • A bed on rollers that slid around every time you got in/out, moved or turned. The bare linoleum floor helped contribute to this. The only good, positive characteristic I could find about this facility is the location. It is indeed very convenient and close to the subway, sights and shopping/restaurants. This place is great for college students or 20-somethings, or anyone else that doesn’t have any money to spend on lodgings or have any real standards when it comes to where they lay their head down at night. For anyone else, you’d be better off looking at any other well know hotel brands in Brooklyn, Queens or even Jersey City or Secaucus (which are always cheaper than Manhattan) and take the subway or bus into the city.

This hotel is more of a hostel, with small rooms and shared facilities. It was clean but not that comfortable. The location was great and the price was right. It's tolerable for a short stay in New York.

Location is fantastic: right off the 59th and Circle subway stop and 1/2 block from Cental Park. Area is very safe for single females traveling alone. I felt safe staying at the YMCA. And you get what you pay for which is basically a dorm room with a shared bathroom down the hall for entire floor (one bathroom for women, 1 bathroom for men). My only complaint was that the women's bathroom on my floor was dirty and disgusting and they did a horrible job maintaining it. There were 3 bathroom stalls, 4 sinks that only have piping hot water and 3 showers for about 40-50 women. All were filthy and unkept. Garbage spilling on the foor and it was hot as a sauna. If this doesn't bother you they you will be OK. But if used tampons & tons of hair in the drainleft on the floor does, look around for another place. The YMCA needs to step up and do a better job maintaining the bathrooms.

The best way to describe the YMCA guest rooms is to think of the grossest college dorm room you’ve ever been too. Got one? Great…now imagine a dorm room one level better. That’s the YMCA. By booking a room here, you’re getting is a safe, somewhat-maintained place to stay in a convenient location for an unbeatable price. The rooms are private, but the bathrooms are shared. The rooms itself are only large enough to fit an extra-long twin bed and a small study desk (just like in a college dorm room). There is a closet, a lamp, a TV (without remote control), a radiator heater and a window-mounted air conditioner. All in all, maybe an 8’x8’ room. When I booked on Orbitz, a nightly single room was $79/night. On the YMCA’s own website, it was $89/night and on some of the hostile websites, it was $99/night. I spoke to some tourists at the YMCA who said they paid almost $120/night USD through their own travel agents. So it pays to check around for the lowest price. Be sure to book months in advance as these rooms go quickly, especially during peak seasons. As you can imagine, weekday availability is much better than on the weekends. Also keep in mind, other hotel rooms in this area on the West Side can go for almost $500/night. Amenities include the gym downstairs (super busy), a fantastic on-site café and WiFi in the lobby only. The WiFi signal won’t reach your room and don’t try a 3G/4G cellular card for internet as the building has a low signal/cellular interference problem. Otherwise, try the Starbucks a half-block down the street for Internet; it’s open 5am to 1am everyday. A great plus to staying at the Y is its’ location in the Upper West Side, right next to the Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle and the 66th/Lincon Center subway station. Want to see a show at the Lincoln Center or maybe attend a taping of the new Anderson Cooper daytime talk show? Just a two-minute walk in either direction. There’s also lots of shopping and restaurants in this area. What you’re not getting is a private bathroom, concierge service, nor a friendly staff. You also might have to battle the occasional cockroach (I saw one in the bathroom, but the staff was quick to fix that problem when I alerted them), obnoxious European tourists and loud noises. But then again, you’re also not paying $599/night, like at the Mandarin Oriental hotel next door. People who stay here can range the gambit from long-term residents, business people traveling on their own dime, younger tourists, or even some YMCA members. Judging your stay here is all about perspective. If you’re on a really tight budget and plan to only be in your room at night to sleep, this is your place. If you are in ANY way picky, needy, or a light sleeper, do not stay here. If you have a large family or aren’t very mobile, don’t stay here. If you have kids, don’t stay here. Instead, set your expectations accordingly and you too can check out New York City on the cheap!

I was at the West Side YMCA during the Hurricane Irene weekend. All in all, the hotel offers a great location, fair amenities, dirt restrooms. Once you know the cons, it worth the try

This place is a good deal. I got a single room, with a shared bathroom in the hallway. The only complaint was that the bathroom needed a little maintenance and more frequent cleaning. Other than that the stay was OK and the location is unbeatable.

great location just of central park walking distance to bway staff were friendly and helpful access to all the facilitys, pool gym sauna/steamroom all included when u stay at hotel. will def use again next time head to NY

This hotel is very limited in its offering. It is basically about just a room for a sleep. The hotel had a strange smell, bathrooms are shared and not that clean and staff was mostly busy all the time. The location is really good, very safe and had internet access through the hotel PCs all around the clock. I would recommand this hotel to anyone who is looking for a room to sleep and nothing more.

The reason why I stayed at this YMCA was because I was moving to NY and needed a few days to get things together. The place for the price is worth it and better than staying at any hostel. It was clean and right at Central Park. Just know you will be sharing bathrooms with the whole hall way,they will charge you $1.00 for every price of luggage that is needed to be stored if you arrive early, the TVs are no good, and I had issues with WIFI. However I would stay again if needed..

This is not the Waldorf but if you are willing to share a bathroom and not picky or think you are the King Of The World it is perfectly adequate. One block to Lincoln Center, steps to Central Park West and buses and subway almost at the front door.