West Side Ymca, New York City

I would stay at the West Side YMCA again if traveling to NYC. The location was the best part. Less than 5 minute walk in two directions to the subway and RIGHT ON CENTRAL PARK. The neighboor felt safe at all times. The price of the room was all I wanted to spend for lodging and I knew I wouldn't get much. It's just like living in a college dorm room. But that was enough for me and for the amount of time spent in the room anyway, it wasn't a big deal. Not a lot of English speakers staying here. But that was kind of neat. All of the staff spoke English. This place also has a little cafe right in the lobby where you can get home cooked food for breakfast, lunch or supper. We ate breakfast here every morning. Cheap too. I recommend staying here if you want to spend your money seeing NYC instead of on a hotel. It really was a decent place. Free use of the fitness facilities also!!

Let me start off by saying that the previous posters either work for the YMCA or got very lucky with the service during their stay. To be perfectly honest, I hated the place. Of course that is just my opinion, but I have a strong feeling that most people would agree with me. It is by far the worst accommodation I have ever stayed in…and I’ve been around Europe and Asia many many times and few places have come close to the horridness I’ve encountered at West Side. The descriptions that I got from West Side and other sources made the place look amazing…I was so shocked when I actually showed up. Let me give some examples and explanations to my opinion. First and for most, the room you stay in is a closet…. I stay in a single accommodation room with a TV that gives only 4 clear channels an AC (that works fine) a bed who’s mattress was ANYTHING BUT heavenly (I believe one of the previous posters used the world “heavenly” to describe it). With the one small window that is mostly blocked by the wall outside makes me feel like im in a jail cell. The 12th and 13 floor are newly renovated however, and I have heard they are much better…. yet the price is more then double, and one might as well go book a hotel room in the Trump Towers hotel, or any other hotel that are available within one block. Second, The bathrooms (Only 1 men and 1 women with 3 showers – some only two because one didn’t work—on each floor) were nothing but public rest rooms equipped with showers. I’m not sure what one of the posters meant by “semi private bathrooms”…I’ve never heard of a “semi” private bathroom, its either private, or not private, and unless you lived on the 12th or 13th floor, they were NOT private. One thing that REALLY set me off was that the building decided to shut off their water for two days, and then one more time another separate day. No water to shower, no water to wash your hands, no water to use the bathroom. Also, the washing machines down in the basement either didn’t worked, or were so dirty that washing your clothes in them would soiled them even more. Third, Majority of the staff is so rude. It was so hard to get any answer because everyone kept on pointing fingers and suggesting to go talk to some other person. Matter a fact, I felt threatened by one staff member for asking a simple question. Since I was not in the country during the time I booked my stay at West Side, I asked a friend to go check out the quality of the place but she was refused a quick visit to the guesthouses and felt as though the front desk was exceptionally rude and harsh. Unfortunately I based my decision of my stay on the advertisements hoping that they were conveying the truth about the place, but I was very wrong. Fourth and by far the most disturbing sight I saw were MICE, in the CAFETERIA. As I sat there eating breakfast one morning, a couple mice crawled out of a hole in the wall; I think that alone depicts a lot about the quality of West Side YMCA. I stayed there for well over a month so I believe my opinion is closer to the truth then most others. If you’re reading this post, I truly suggest taking West Side off your list of places to stay and commend you for looking up facts about West Side and doing your research ahead of time.

We stayed for a couple of nights in May of 07. We were on the 13th floor and had several bathrooms, all in a row. Never had to wait to use one. The staff was courteous. The clerk told us the mattresses were new and they were heavenly, we both slept right through. We enjoyed being next to Central Park and found the New Yorkers were all friendly and helpful. What a nice visit!

For less than $100/night I got a private room (very clean sheets and towels, tv, ac) and a semi private bathroom. All the YMCA employees were so helpful and did everything they could to make me feel comfortable. I have no worries about leaving all my stuff in my room all day. I will definitly stay here again.

The Westside Y is located in a fantastic area. Very close to the subway, Central Park, and shopping. The room was small, clean, and comfortable. I stayed on the 12th floor which I was told recently underwent an "update." There were 11 shared bathrooms on the 12th floor. All were very clean and roomy. I felt very safe here and would definitely stay again. By no means, is it fancy, but the money you save is well worth skimping on frills. My only advice would be to pack your own toilet paper as some bathrooms would run out late at night or early morning before housekeeping made their rounds.