The New York Loft Hostel

Easy to find, clean, friendly staff -- great location!
I stayed here in August 2008 and it was a really good place to stay! admittedly when I first walked out from the subway I thought it looked a bit rough but once I got to know the neighbourhood it was amazing! we arrived and were welcomed and shown to our room (by one of the really friendly staff) which was huge! the beds were clean and really comfy! only a slight downside was that there was one bathroom in the room and there were a lot of people in the room so you might have to wait for a shower in the morning -- but there are others available! The garden is a good place to sit outside if you want some fresh air and the pool. well its basically a big paddling pool but looked fun -- but unfortunately I didnt have time to have a swim! the lounge is a good place to socialise with the other guests -- comfy seats, two free computers, a TV, a microwave, and fridge! It's really close to the subway into manhattan and other places and there's a restaurant/bar called life and I recommend you go there! cheap, but gorgeous food-and the service is really good! Overall great -- i'm definitely keeping this in mind when i come back to new york.

Great hostel, great staff; just opened, though, so still some kinks
Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood in Brooklyn, two blocks from the L train stop at Bogart and Harrison, which will take you directly into Manhattan quickly and almost effortlessly (few things, if anything, are effortless in NYC), and one block from a fabulous little natural food store (that sells a wide selection of beers from around the world) and a great internet cafe/DVD rental joint (you can set up a rental account without any hassle and rent movies for one or two days), this is a well located hostel in a convenient and safe neighborhood. The staff are exceptionally inviting and well-informed, and the rates are fantastic. I stayed within two weeks of opening (which was 26 June 2008), so everything was extremely new, clean, and well organized (to the degree you would expect following a grand opening). However, not all of the listed amenities were up and running yet, so if you are thinking of booking soon, be aware that there is not yet a kitchen and the TV lounge is still being installed. There is a little restaurant/bar just around the corner, though, the internet cafe has an assortment of breakfast/lunch/snack options, and the natural food store has a wide selection of quick eats selections, including a deli. The dorm that I stayed in was quiet and very well maintained. Cleaning service occurs each day between 12 and 3 p.m. No problems at all with leaving things about. I highly recommend this as an alternative to the numerous Manhattan hostels, and cannot say enough about the staff and the guests I stayed with.