Chelsea International Hostel

Chelsea International Hostel leaves you wondering why anybody would stay here more than once. While suitable for a one- or two-night stay, the hostel is pretty uncomfortable and poorly designed.

The Location

A clearly marked awning makes the hostel easy to find. It is a large building that has eight different entrances, so figuring out which door leads to the lobby is a little awkward. The hostel is located across the street from the NYPD’s Tenth Precinct police station, so the area is quite safe. However, such close proximity to the police station means guests may hear squad car sirens and belligerent arrestees more than anticipated during their stay in New York City. Within walking distance are two subway stations where travelers can catch trains directly to destinations such as Times Square, Central Park, the Natural History Museum, and Ground Zero.

Rooms and Bathrooms

It’s a good thing there is so much to do in New York City, because nobody would want to hang out in the dorm rooms at this hostel. The dorms and bathroom areas are so tiny and cramped it’s almost funny. There are different-sized dorm rooms, but they are all small and stuffy. In the smallest bedroom, the beds are so close together, guests will find themselves sleeping about a foot away from each other. The free linens and pillows are old and stained. There are shelves and lockers, but no closets in the bedrooms, and the only place to keep large pieces of luggage is under the beds. This is unfortunate, because the floors are absolutely filthy, so guests’ belongings will be covered in dust and dirt if they store them under the bed. Guests have almost no room to unpack. With only two electrical outlets in each room, roommates will have to take turns charging their electronic devices.

On each floor there is one shower and one toilet, each in separate rooms. Sinks are located in each bedroom and have no space to place toiletries. That, coupled with the fact that the room is so tiny, makes getting ready in the morning quite awkward if two roommates are trying to get ready at the same time. This layout is inconvenient, since it forces guests to visit three different rooms in order to complete their bathroom routines. The bathrooms are cleaner than the bedrooms, but are by no means spotless.

Common Spaces

The various common areas at Chelsea International are large enough to accommodate several dozen guests at once. One of the best things about this hostel is the private courtyard located in the middle of the property. It contains benches, long picnic tables, and ashtrays, and is relatively quiet for Manhattan. There is a large dining area, a kitchen full of modern appliances, and a room with plenty of computers with internet access for guests to use. Large pay lockers are available in the basement. With so many common areas, socializing with other travelers is a possibility, but most guests seem to keep to themselves.

Summary

The Chelsea International Hostel is mediocre at best. There is no cozy, homelike feel to the place. Reception is businesslike and not very welcoming. Most of the guests seem too engrossed with looking at guidebooks and subway maps to socialize with anyone. With so many hostels in New York City, travelers can definitely do better than this place.