West Side YMCA, New York City

Good location, clean, and respectable.

I gave 4 stars just for one reason -- it was spring and they didn't turn on the heater. I was freezing. But about the rest it was ok. Good location, clean, and respectable. If you like to work out it's the place to do it. They also have a swimming pool. It's located in front of Central Park near Columbus Circle which you can go for every place fast, like Times Square, Penn Station.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!