West Side YMCA

I needed a cheap place to crash for about 9 hrs and was willing to settle for a clean, safe place with decent bathrooms in a suitable location. That it did, but truly no more. By clean I mean the sheets, the room was just OK. All in all it fit the bill,given the location and the city, a good deal at about $100.

The location, Central Park and Lincoln Center, is great. The price is low. The rooms are minimal, clean bed, TV, dresser, closet.

The bathrooms were not clean, not in a good shape. The room was OK but the bed is not comfortable.

PROS: For the price in Manhattan, this works. It is very near Columbus Circle, so it is very easy to get to a number of train lines. It is across the street from central park, which makes for a nice morning run or day strolling through the park. Lincoln Center and shopping (although mostly your chain franchises) are just down Broadway. In fact, friends of mine who are locals said that it was a good value for the location. CONS: Internet connection is horrible. It barely works in the rooms. Further, the Y has content blockers that randomly block webpages, even if they aren't illicit (I couldn't read a page in Timeout magazine--a website that gives you info on all the things to do in the city during your stay; The Times things-to-do section was also blocked). Mobile phone connection: Tmobile coverage was spotty in the room and the lounge. Needless to say, data coverage was random. Bathrooms: I've stayed in many hotels/hostels with shared facilities. These are the most inconvenient. (1) The showers are super small and tight, (2) there is only one hook to hang your towel, so you either have to walk down the hall wrapped in a towel or be ok with possible getting your clothes wet, (3) the bathroom itself is small. In fact, the door to one of the stalls is over half blocked by a structural post. Some of the latches don't lock on stall doors, too. Noise: It's on a quiet street, so there is no noise from that. But inside! Every night I was there over half the rooms on my floor were taken up by teenagers on school trips. Slamming doors, screaming down the halls, congregating in front of random rooms happened at all hours of the night. I did not get a single night's sleep without being woken up once. The problem is that there is no surveillance of the kids by either the chaperones or the staff. Location: It's a very residential type neighborhood. Most of the stores there are the same ones that you can find in your local mall--a few exceptions. As for dining: there isn't anything special around. Plenty of Starbucks and a cafe or two for breakfast, but if you are looking for a very New York dinner you will have to go downtown. Sum up: Ok for a night or two, or if you are on a very tight budget and can sleep through anything. I've stayed at the Y on the westside, too, and preferred that. It was newer, quieter, cleaner. A little further out of the way, but perhaps a better alternative. On the other hand, if I were only going to be in town for one or two nights, and could secure a room in a proper hotel for $50-$75 more per night, I might do that instead.

It's my secopnd time at this hotel and it's getting worse, while also more expensive. The main problem is the bathroms which get dirty soon after cleaning due to some guests' negligence #to put it mildly#, so it is unpleasant to take a shower or use the toilets. Also, the security staff is rather unfriendly which makes one feel uncomfortable. Still, the location is great so you have to decide for youself.

I hated the fact I couldn't check in until 2:30 and I'm guessing that is the rule for everyone, because it took a while for everyone to check in. After waiting so long to check in, the cleaning people were still in my room cleaning so I had to wait outside. Hate the fact there is community bathrooms. Great location though, right across the street from central park.

It is nearby central park, very close to subway station. In Manhattan you probably couldn't find a place easily access most sightseeing spots than west side YMCA. Staffs are nice, warm.

I initially chose the Y because of the price. I was thinking about the locations in the South and did not have my hopes up to high for anything more. I was surprised at the size of my private room and the private bathrooms all of which included a shower. The room is basic. I bed, chair, desk, television, lamp, and a closet. If you need more then stop reading and go check into one of the more expensive hotels. Was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of children at the hotel. That sealed it for me because anyplace that is kid friendly is a safe place. I was a short walk from Central Park, Columbus Circle, and for me Times Square. The subway is two blocks away which will give you the rest of the city for a small fee. Even when you check out if you need to stow your bags before you fly out they will lock them away for you for $1 per bag. My only issue with the place is that I needed to iron a shirt and no iron was available and the cleaners across the street needed 48hrs to press a shirt. If you are looking for a clean quiet place to stay I strongly recommend staying their.

Came for a two day workshop in the City and only needed a room to sleep--this place fit the bill! I did have to switch rooms when I first signed in--the first room smelled very smoky/odorous/mildewy and didn't have a security bolt on the door; door didn't seem secure and I worried about that with open access by elevators and shared bathrooms... But the staff was very kind and accommodating to switch me to another floor to a more pleasing room, albeit very spartan. Thank goodness the AC worked nicely! My biggest quibble is the excessive mildew odor that permeated the hallways, rugs and my room and the uncleanliness of the shared bathrooms. It might be a good idea to bring flip-flops to the shared bathrooms as the tiled floors were constantly wet, rust/mildew stained and unkempt... Oh, and shower early in the morning! I luckily just missed the bathroom rush hour waiting for a shower stall at 8:30 AM on a Sunday--but know there is one especially on the weekend! For just one night, I'd stay here again... but the convenience of being in a prime spot of Manhattan was its strongest selling point!

I basically needed a bed for the night, and this was reasonable value. Good location, friendly staff, comfortable and reasonably quiet room. As typical for a hostel it was a shared shower room and toilet block. In essence, it was a bed for the night. I'm going to tick the "No, I would not recommend" box because it's not a hotel, although I would stay there again if, as before, I just needed somewhere to sleep.