[Paulie]

Could anyone recommend any good New York hostels they might have stayed in.

Also, are the majority of hostels over there safe?

Thanks in advance

Paulie

[skate1968]

Hey Paulie,

I have driven my car to the the New York International Hostel. It's the biggest hostel in the U.S. And i think it used to be biggest in the world.

Someone told me the reason that it is so safe is because it's close to a large police station. I felt comfortable walking across the street at 2 am for a sandwhich.

Jazz on the park is also a good buy. But maybe it's a little sketchy for walking around alone late at night.

Rule of Thumb: Basically anywhere south of 90th street in Manhattan is reasonably safe to be alone at night.

I would NOT recomend taking the subway up to Sugar Hill Hostel alone at night.

I would highly recomend the night time music tours offered at the International hostel. Even if you're not staying at this hostel you can still go there to meet the tour guide. You see a lot of music for your 1 time cover charge. A short guy with the last name of Rose used to give this tour.

If you don't have a car (often a benefit in NYC) the Big Apple might be a good choice also. I remembered it to be a little smaller and more crowded, but it is more centrally located.

If you have any more questions email me at mytriptoireland@yahoo.com.

HAVE FUN!

[skate1968]

One more thing regarding the rule of thumb.

Rule of Thumb: Basically anywhere south of 90th street in Manhattan is reasonably safe to be alone at night.

When an NYC police officer gave me this rule of thumb he was referring to streets. He was NOT referrring to Central Park or roads going through Central Park.

Enjoy NYC!

[Aaron the Aardvark]

Haven't stayed in any but you might find http://www.aardvarktravel.net/travel...rk+hostels.htm helpful if you're still looking.

Aaron

[Moro]

You might want to check out craig's list. They have some rooms for cheap! Also, you can find cheap hotels on Orbitz.com. Have fun there! I used to live in NYC and aboslutely loved it there!

[daymeeyan]

Has anyone actually stayed at the Big Apple Hostel? I hear they have a great location, but what about the cleanliness and security?

[skate1968]

Daymeeyan,
I stayed there years ago. I just remember it being coed and cramped. But the location is excellent.

[skate1968]

Hey Daymeeyan,

I was thinking about the Big Apple hostel as I was driving to work. I remember that it was cozy and I did enjoy it. I've never really felt unsafe at any hostel. And I'm not really a neat freak either.


It is in a slightly safer part of town than the official hostel on 103rd. What I really liked about it was the fact that you could walk right to Times Square at night, it was right there. Perhaps it's just one of those places that you have to try once.
There was another hostel on times Square that I didn't enjoy as much.
I certainly would not recomend taking the subway to Sugarhill Hostel up in Harlem alone at night.
There is another hostel that is an "international type" and maybe they require a passport. that might be good too. there are many to choose from.

The official one is great if you have a car.

Philly has a hostel that is centrally located and two and half hrs away, $20 bus ticket.

Happy trails!

[daymeeyan]

Ok I just got back from spending 10 days at The Big Apple Hostel in NYC.

Excellent location! It's pretty much right in Times Square and close to everything. It's clean and seems well managed. The common areas are small, but I didn't go to NYC to sit in the hostel.

[skate1968]

Good for you, Daymeeyan! And thanks for sharing your experience the rest of us backpackers.

[ 01. May 2004, 05:44: Message edited by: skate1968 ]

[Elle]

I stayed at the big apple in 2000. I really liked it. I did get pretty sick after staying there and when I got home my doctor thought that I was sick from the hostel - I guess that I had an allergic reaction to it - ODD! - I am allergic to dust mites and to mold - But I still recommend this hostel. Since I stayed at the bid Apple I have recommended it to friends who also enjoyed the experience.
A hostel is a hostel is a hostel - NOT TRUE - but the big apple is alright!


Reading these posts have brought back great memories from my NYC trip.

[oklahomazeppelin]

Chelsea Center Hostel (%212-643-0214, www.chelseacenterhostel.com, 313 W 29th St)

Small friendly but GREAT because it has a BETTER location in the East Village, which is where you want to be. You gotta go by the Chelsea location to get to the EV one.

I think you'd be fine around Jazz in the Park at night. I hear it's the best of the big ones.

[Andreya]

What would you think of this hostel then?

Central Park Hostel at 19 West 103rd Street & Manhatten AveNew York, NY 10025
...located on the Upper West side of Manhattan. In it’s newly renovated classic brownstone building, this 5-story walk-up features colorful, sunny dorm style rooms with 4, 6 or 8 beds per room (plus air conditioning).

I found their rate cheapest on www.backpackers.com.au ($25, $23.75 with their VIP pass)-26$ on their official site. (Any idea if the backpackers rate is guaranteed then?

HI on Amsterdam Ave seems cheapest at $29 for a female. But if it's safer then I guess the price difference is too small- Any thoughts?

[Andreya]

I wanted to point out that both hostels seem to share one street, that's why I'm asking - Where is that police station? /If I didn't mix everything up?/
The cheaper one is closer to the park though. hmm..

Well, if it's possible, I'd need the info/opinion asap.

[ 25. August 2004, 05:16: Message edited by: Andreya ]

[skate1968]

Oooops.
It seems as though I have not gotten back to Andreya fast enough. I hope she had a good trip. Someone told me that the official hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam is the one closer to a police station (although i don't actually remember ever seeing a police station close by). One good thing about the official hostel on 103 & amsterdam is that you can make it safe by attaching yourself to a group, since travelers are constantly coming and going.

Good luck, all.