The Continental Hostel

Horrible
This was the most horrible place I had ever stayed in! It was disgustingly dirty! The sheets looked like they hadn't been washed in a very long time! And to top it all off There were bedbugs! Disgusting ... everything about it.

Horrible
don"t go there! Disgusting Rooms (bugs, dirt), criminal and unfriendly staff (they stole our money and laughed at us)!

Unhelpful and a little strange
While the facilities and cleanliness of this hostel were all up to standard, that is about all. First, the moment I showed up on of the very unhelpful staff said I was not in the system after I made a very advanced booking. So, I had to march downstairs and pay for a printout showing their error. Of course they did not offer to reimburse me for this printout. It was not a lot of money, but they could have at least offered. Second, one of roommates wanted to stay another night, but they told him he had to book the room via the internet instead of doing it at the front desk. Needless to say, they wouldn't pay for his internet fee and he decided to go to another hostel. Then later, they finally let him get the room for an extra night the normal way. Talk about creating unnecessary bureaucracy. Third, one of the staff was smoking inside when, to my knowledge, smoking is banned inside buildings in NYC. Another sat on the computer table while at work. Very unprofessional and even more unhelpful. Don't come here.

Blast
First trip to New York and we had a Blast! Nice and quiet area. The Hostel was great. We were really worried about it but once we got there and saw it we were immediately relieved. The staff was nice and the rooms were clean and the bathrooms were spotless. If you are on a budget the Continental is the place to stay. Thanks for making my first trip awesome.

Not great
We stayed at this hostel for six night, from the 12th to 18th December. Our first night we had rats in our room. More specifically, in our bags. Told reception, who didn't offer to get rid of the rat, they just shoved us in a different room. So the second night we were in a room which stank, but at least no vermin. Or so we thought. After one night in the bed my boyfriend woke up itching and covered in bites. We weren't too concerned, bites are better than rats, we thought. Went out for the day, which was a disaster, as the bites got worse and worse as the day went on. He had about thirty, up his legs, stomach, back, arms, hands, everywhere. Each was at least an inch across and sore as hell. Got back to the hostel and told them we had bedbugs. They sent someone up to change the sheets on our bed. The lady who did this told us it wouldn't help the bug problem -- bedbugs infest the mattress so changing the sheets wouldn't help. She told us to speak to the manager in the morning. So we went up to the pharmacy and spent about $30 on bed bug killer, tablets, and creams for the bites. Tried to get some sleep, which was impossible knowing what was in our bed. We then became worried that one of the bites on his wrist had become infected and he had blood poisoning -- he had a deep red line running from the bite all the way up his arm. Next day we spoke to the manager, who changed our room again. This room was on the ground floor and was noisy as hell. Other than cockroaches (which were everywhere) we didn't have any more visitors to our room. Our first three nights were a disaster, and pretty much ruined the start of our trip. Rats and bedbugs are not something you should have to deal with, no matter how much you pay for a room. Be warned!

Clean, basic, but hot
My son and I returned from NYC on Sunday. The Continental was clean and well located. The bathroom was kept clean, but was out of toilet paper for one whole morning. This is a building that was probably constructed in 1900 to 1920. Don't expect outlets, any outlets, unless you are going to unplug the thing that they call an air conditioner that makes a sound like pbbbtttt and barely moves the air. The first night it was hot, even though it is the beginning of fall. Opening the window cooled the room. The room had an impressive television set, but alas, no outlet to plug it in and no cable connection. I asked for an outlet extender to recharge my cell phone, but was told there was not any, and was not offered any alternatives. Asked for change for a $5 bill to purchase from a vending machine and was told "no change." Still, my alternative was to pay almost $300 for a hotel room. So for the price, it's a good deal. Just don't expect anything more than you would get in the Mayberry County Jail -- "one bed, one cracked mirror."

Terrible
I stayed at this hostel from August 26 to September 2, 2007, most unfortunately. I was in New York visiting my daughter who studies there. While at the hostel, I was an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord for bedbugs. The bites took three days to show up. Initially, I thought they were mosquito bites but after they showed up under my clothes and kept multiplying every morning, I did some research on the internet. That's when it appeared to me that bedbugs were the likely culprit. My daughter and I pulled apart the two box springs under the mattress and saw lots of bugs crawling around. We went to the front desk staff immediately and told them. We asked them to come up to the room to see for themselves. They said that this wasn't necessary because they said "we believe you." They did not even offer me a token apology. They put me in another room for my last night (one that I don't think had bedbugs in it). When I asked to speak to the manager, I was told she would be available after Labor Day. On the way home, my body became very swollen, so much so that I had to go to the emergency department for topical and oral antihistamines. This was not a minor problem. I had been there for seven nights and had more than fifty bites. After Labor Day, I contacted the manager. She told me that no one had reported the problem to her! She then told me that I was complaining too late! Then she challenged me as to how to I knew I got bitten at her hostel. I told her I had traveled to NYC from my home and that I certainly had not been bitten in my home. I told her that my daughter and I had seen lots of bugs in the room and that if she went up to the room herself and pulled apart the box springs, she would see them herself. I asked her for an email to contact her supervisor. She gave me an incorrect email. When I called her again, she gave me another email. It's been three weeks. No one has responded to the several emails I have sent. I have read that New York City has an "epidemic" of bedbugs. Since this is the case, all hotels and hostels should be advising their housekeeping staff to check for bugs and to eradicate them when they are found. It is disgusting that I was bitten by bedbugs at this place. It is also disgusting that no one responded to my emails and that the management is obviously not at all concerned about protecting other guests from being bitten. This is the worst customer service I have ever received in all of my travels!

Very Nice hostel with a friendly service
The rooms are rather small but hey, what do you expect in New York City for such a price. They're cleaned everyday on asking. We had such a nice time here that we extended our stay for another week. And Kia behind the desk will help you out with whatever question you have. Thanks a lot Kia. Big Up to Continental and especially to Kia.

Mice in the basement
i arrived and they wanted me to pay everything in advance (never seen an hostel which refuses day by day payment), common room is full of TVs, is in the basement and got rats all around, bathroom is clean but my shower didn't work properly. Apart for this rooms are clean and got air conditioned. Not a friendly hostel if traveling alone but if you don't find anything better, use this one (even if not so good at least there is a common room).

I went to this hostel last January, and spent three days there. Well, as it was said below, that's not a perfect place to stay, but that's great for $20. I just think it could have brighter halls and should be painted. The room we stayed in had a problem in the lock, we couldn't close the door easily. Oh, I almost forgot, it's worth looking for cleaner and more spacious bathrooms for showers, but take a pair of flip flops just in case. I wonder how hot it gets in the summer, cause it was winter there and they kept the heater too warm -- window had to be open. maybe it's a good idea to take a fan with you in the summer.

Just got back from three nights here. I had researched it and it was pretty much like some had described. Neon colors, non-existing elevator (they are in the process of putting in a new one), weird smells, and tiny rooms (private) but again...only $20 a night! Never saw a bug. my room was so hot that we slept with unscreened window open and never had a true problem. Now, we were on second floor and could smell every time someone smoked outside on the patio through the window. My hall had what appeared to be a resident (he left his door open and we could see all his personal belongings). I never saw him but he coughed often and the entire hallway smelled of smoke and feces. I was afraid to go to the bathroom, but when I had to go I checked for peepholes, never found any holes. I did sneak to another hallway to use their cleaner, larger bathroom (hallway 206-211) for my shower. Hot water and everything! My first trip to NYC and had a blast. Buy an unlimited seven-day Metro card for $24 and ride the bus and subway. From hostel, it is a short walk to Ninety-sixth street subway stop and we rode from and to LaGuardia on the M60 bus (forty-five-minute trip) at One Hundred Eleventh Street/CatheralParkway. Loved Times Square, it is awesome at night! So, if you are on a budget, this hostel had good clean beds and warm rooms. The staff were nice and helpful. We felt totally safe in the area and riding the subway. Great stay for private room and shared bath for $20/night.

Continental Hostel has bedbugs. Bedbugs are easily spread and very difficult to get rid of. They can survive without food for months. They are similar to ticks and suck your blood leaving you with swollen bites all over your body. Multiple exterminations are needed and clothes must be individually contained in plastic bags after being worn until the bed bugs are gone. When I discovered these bugs in my bed on the night of Nov. 17, 2006, I went straight to the front desk. They were unwilling to accompany me to visually inspect my bed and there were no refunds for that night or the next. I immediately left. I am still trying to contact the manager, who is unresponsive.

The hostel is very clean. Private twin bunk rooms have just the bed, desk in the room, and a window with an A/C installed in it. The only thing about the room that annoyed us was the bed being so squeaky. Continental Hostel is located in a quiet area, we only experienced some noise early in the morning when trucks worked on the street. There's housekeeping and the towels are included in the price. The bathroom is good, not perfect but good. The kitchen has just a stove, sink, and trashcan in it. You can ask for the cooking equipment from the reception desk. Luggage storage is $3 to $5 per day if you're staying in bunk rooms and want it safe. I would stay there again.