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YMCA West Side Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
I would prefer to look for another one From the beginning very, but very unfriendly reception at front desk, careless (and work for the YMCA? ... respect and caring belong to their core values, or?). Anyway, a very comfortable spa section. — Jorge Iturralde , bolivian (2009-06-30) I have just left the West Side YMCA after a four-night stay. I have to say that from reading comments, I was really worried about what to expect -- dirty communal bathrooms, smelly tired rooms, dirty mattresses. The YMCA was quite to the contrary, we stayed on the twelfth floor in a twin bunk bed room which was basic but what can you expect for that money. Most importantly to me it was clean! The sheets were made daily and fresh towel were provided daily. The bathrooms were at the end of the corridor but were single rooms with a large shower, toilet, and basin, and again they were clean! The location is awesome -- just about one hundred yards from central park. As we had a room at the end of the corridor we had the most amazing view of the park and the city. Ironically one of the buildings was named Essex House. The staff were friendly and polite and really tolerant, which was handy as we were a large group of eighty and used the main foyer to meet together a lot. Overall I give the West Side ten out of ten and next time i'm in the city I will be staying there. — Ben , Essex, United Kingodm (2007-04-23) I stayed at the YMCA for 19 nights from 8-26 December 2006. I didn't want to spend loads on accommodation, all I really care about when I travel is a bed and a hot shower at the end of the day, I'd rather spend my hardearned money on going out, eating out, sightseeing, etc. Yes, the rooms' cleanliness left a bit to be desired, both my room and the bathrooms could have used a thorough scrubbing, but the location, so close to the lovely Upper West Side and the price were unbeatable. You can't expect to pay such cheap prices and stay in luxury!! The staff were friendly enough and the security required me to show my key pass most times I entered the building, so I felt safe (I was travelling on my own). The YMCA is a bit noisy, people were coming and going at all hours, slamming doors, talking loudly in the corridors, etc, so I suggest earplugs if you are a light sleeper!! One thing that may be a bit unnerving for some people is that there are some Single Occupancy Room residents in the Y (mainly older men) that look a bit scruffy and seem slightly out of place, but I didn't have any problems with them, most said hi when passing me in the corridors. — Kylie from Sydney, Australia (2007-01-04) Just stayed at the w-side YMCA for ten nights. Price was great, Location is the best place to be in the City, felt 100% safe at all times. Room was small but clean, just good for one person. One comment -- the female bathroom was nasty, I saw a girl bathing her self from the face basin or sink what ever you want to call it , and she was just messing up the floor with water when there were three showers available. Also some of the women where not flushing their mess in the toilet. But overall I enjoyed my stay at the YMCA. "Tony from Ecuador" was the best, helpful, and friendly at all times. — Samantha (2007-01-03) The hostel was affordable, but the room wasn't very clean; the paint on the walls was peeling, and the carpets in the corridors were stained and smelly. The bathrooms were uncomfortably steamy and hot. The location was great - right next to Central Park (and the Natural Museum of Natural History), and close to several subway stations. Safe boxes were available at the front desk. When it rained, the raindrops made a lot of noise on the airconditioning. Internet was VERY expense and slow. Try to find a public library nearby. — Aafda (2006-01-10) West Side YMCA is in a great location just off of central park (on the West Side unsurprisingly). It is 5 mins walk from the subway and 2 mins from central park. It does not take long to walk in to the center of the city. The rooms were quiet and clean. The double rooms are bunk-beds with a television and very little storage space. The bathrooms were very large on each floor, with 6 showers, and got quite crowded in the mornings.
The hostel has 500 rooms and the staff are very unfriendly. Checking in was complicated for me as the person I was staying with did not arrive with me and I had difficulty getting a key. I lost my watch while I was in New York and think I left it in the room and it disappeared from there. I thought until recently that I left it, but reading other reviews I believe it may have been stolen by the people who work there. I emailed 3 times after getting home, but never received a reply. Be very careful of your belonging and money and don't leave anyhting valuable in the room.
In summary I believe if you are happy with the unfriendliness and functional nature of this hostel, then it is a bargain for a good location in New York. However, if anything goes wrong, you may wish you had stayed somewhere else. — John , UK (2005-10-16) Fabulous location; walk out the door and land in Central Park. A few blocks away is the subway station, so everything is extremely accessible. If you are paying for budget accommodation don't be expecting luxury. But I found this hostel to be worth every penny. The security was strict at the reception area, so I felt safe, and the rooms themselves, although quite small, were comfortable enough. The staff were absolutely great! I definitely will be back as soon as possible! — Claire & Seainin (2005-07-31) I thought this place was disgusting. First impressions make you want to turn around and go somewhere else before you even set foot in the building. The bedrooms were like prison cells; the bunk beds are falling apart and cannot hold any weight. The beds are lumpy, the heating was not working and when it did, it was too hot. The bathrooms were vile, to an extent where there was dirty underwear in the sink while you were brushing your teeth. Shower curtains were pointless, as they did not cover you; the hot tap water was a brown color and looked like piss. The rooms needed more furnishing, and the windows needed fixing. All in all, this place was a sh*t tip. If it weren't for the fact we were a large group to raise morale, then I would have found somewhere else to stay. — Kerry (2005-02-28) I came here with 40 college mates on a trip; the hostel was perfectly situated and cheap, too! The view was beautiful and a reason to get up so early. Who wants to spend lots of money on accommodation with so much to do and see in New York? All you need is a powerful hot shower and a bed, which the Y provided. Bathrooms and rooms were clean and fine. What do you expect for the price? — Anonymous (2005-02-27) I stayed here in 1990 with a mate in a bunk bed. I was 20 at the time and I found the communal showers a worry, but every 20-year-old man does. It's a man thing. Yeah, I found the whole experience a bit overpowering, but was that because of the 'Y' or just New York? It's hard to say. We both quickly relaxed into our two-week trip with gusto. It was the best time of my life without a doubt. I would recommend the Y on 5 West 63rd St. to anyone. It wasn't always the easiest of places — the rush hour Tube was scary for a start — but the positives make the negatives negligible. Go, take it easy, understand that all you need is a bed (and at these prices you really are laughing) and see a great city! Go on!!! Oh, by the way, I am going back in April 2005. I haven't got my accommodation yet but I know which place is top of my list. Peace. — Anonymous (2005-02-08) Hello you dudes,
My stay at the West Side YMCA was impeccable and worth every cent. Nothing more, nothing less. — Dodger (2005-01-21) I stayed there for ten nights. You pay for what you get and that is "value for money." It is in an excellent location. The staff are fine and the facilities are satisfactory. — Anonymous (2004-12-07) I had to stay here a week. It wasn't the best place to take your shower but the people working here are so nice and friendly!!! It's very close to Central Park and Times Square. Remember you're not in New York City to sleep but to enjoy, visit and meet people. — Sandra Aupair (2004-10-27) Awful, absolutely terrible. People broke into my room while I was sleeping, and the staff assaulted my friend in his sleep with hair clippers. If you want to have the worst week of your life come here. After my stay here I felt like crying. I lost all money and my mates were terrified. Apart from that, what a great holiday!!! — HP (2004-10-22) This hostel is well located, but be careful about thefts! — Anonymous (2004-10-06)