Big Apple Hostel

Big Apple Hostel is a no frills hostel very close to Times Square (but without all the traffic noise) and Rockefeller Center. I booked a bed in a 4-bed dorm room and was placed in a female only room on arrival.

Upon checking in, I paid the first night plus a 10-dollar key deposit that I got back when I checked out, and then I had until 10am the day after to pay for the rest of my stay. I got my bed linen, that on checking out it was to deposited in a bin by the reception area.
If you book a bed, either bring your own towel or buy one from them for 3 US, but if you book one of their private rooms then towels are included in the price.

In my floor, there were 2 bathrooms to be shared between 4 rooms - which left me thinking a little bit but every time I needed to use the bathroom, they were vacant and spotlessly clean.

There's so much to do and see in NYC and Big Apple Hostel suited me, who did lots of long walks in Manhattan. For being located in a somewhat busy area (business wise), I heard very little noise from either the other guests or from the restaurants nearby. All in all, I would stay here again.

Unique Quality: The price of 40 dollars per bed per night included:
- free Wifi (you need to accept the TOS of the provider, then choose to "buy" their 24-hour free internet access - no need to create a user account)
- bed linen
- all taxes
- free subway maps and discount vouchers.

The hostel didn't offer any breakfast but there's a deli next door, and some restaurants and street food joints on the same street. There's also a pub nearby.

No food or phone calls are allowed in the dorm rooms, only in the courtyard.

The picture in this tip was taken with my ineffective cell phone so the quality isn't good at all.

Directions: Nearest subway stations: 42nd and Bryant Park and 42nd and Times Square.

Hey there,
It's hard finding something cheap and nice, but there are 2 good options I know of, the first is the Big Apple Hostel in the heart of midtown, and also Bubba and Bean Lodges on the Upper East side. The Big Apple hostel is indeed a hostel, but you can organise a private room that's much cheaper than a regular hotel. Bubba and Bean on the other hand is an extremely cosy B&B, which is affordable and close to public transport. Check out www.urwurld.com for other useful travel tips! They don't seem to list a 1000 useless things, but rather a considered selection of things definitely worth doing.
Cheers.

Directions: Mid Town and the Upper East Side

I didn't actually stay here when I visited New York, I was over in cheaper Saddle Brook, New Jersey.

Unique Quality: Despite not staying here I did find it and can attest to its convenient location in midtown Manhattan, in the heart of New York's famous Broadway Theater District just steps from Times Square.

From there you can walk to Central Park, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and and tonnes more. If I get to travel back some time solo I plane to check this place out some more.

I stayed there for only one night but my experience wasn't the best of my dreams, first the room is too small and the bathroom is shared with 4 more rooms. I really don't care about acommodations and stuff, but I stayed in two more hostels in America (Chicago and Honolulu) and the both were great and when I compared the 3 hostels definetly the Big Apple was not good enough as the others.

Anyway it's very well located (two blocks from Times Square) and it has a great price U$35 + U$10 of deposit. Altough it's not the best hostel in the world, it worths because you won't find anything better with this good price and well-located as Big Apple

Unique Quality: - Internet (payed)
- Kitchen
- TV room

Basic but clean and secure. I'd recommend a private room if you're not a youngster out partying until the early am as it can be a little noisy, but I'd certainly stay here again. On the whole it was pretty quiet and there were no problems at all. Private rooms have air conditioning (which you control) and cable tv, and you also get clean towels and the bed made everyday. In private rooms you also get a phone so ask which type of phonecards you need.

Most of the staff are very helpful. The elevator is a bit temperamental and there are no views to speak of but this is New York and space is expensive! The kitchen was clean and they have cheap internet access. No kettle though, either in the rooms or kitchen. Just as well that the two Delis next door are good.

Anyway, don't be sniffy at the word hostel, this is a very good place to stay if you want safety and great location and don't mind having to take your own soap into the bathroom :)

Unique Quality: The location is great, it's just off Times Square so there is no problem going out and about at night. Also if you want the Grayline city bus tours (the red buses) or helicopter tours (Liberty) then the staff will book them for you and you'll get a decent discount on them.

Directions: On 45th street between Times Square (7th ave) and 6th avenue, same side as Toys R Us and a curved neon sign advertising swatch.

Perfect place to stay in NYC if you do wanto to spend to much money but stay in the heart of the city.
Located a minute walk from Times Square, it's a perfect place to spend your stay in Manhattan.
The building looks old, and the kitchen is quite messy, but still very comfortable. They also have a few tables outside which I didn't use since I went there in November and it was quite cold! Rooms are clean, as well as bathrooms.

Unique Quality: The biggest advantage of this Hostel is its location. Maybe it's a bit more expensive than other hostels, but absolutely worthy.

Directions: Close to Times Square

Rooms:
My friend and I shared a 4-bed room with a mother-and-daughter pair who were there to see New York.

The room was very small with no windows and there was no air conditioning, but a fan that didn't really do much to keep the room cool. The bunk beds were sufficient if a little tough on your back!

The bathrooms were shared with everyone on the floor, but everything was in good condition and it had a very high standard of cleanliness, as did the rooms.

But to be honest, as a student I found it all perfectly fine and good value for money.

The location is absolutely fantastic, seconds from Times Square and therefore near to all the biggest tourist attractions.

So if you're looking for luxury, the hostel isn't for you, but if you're a student or traveller used to dark cramped rooms, it's clean and safe and fairly cozy and you couldn't be more conveniently placed within the city... so I'd say go for it.

A man we met in a youth hostel in Winnipeg, Manitoba, recommended this hostel to a friend and me, and rightly so!

The staff was very friendly and the place was clean. I was pleased with the fact that dorms only include 4 beds. Do bear in mind, though, that this is still a hostel after all, so the room is rather small.

There are four washrooms on each floor; they are the only down side I can think of, because you might have to wait a little in the morning before you can take your shower. Also, although they are clean, some of the baths have nasty stains; plus, adjusting the temperature of the water and getting good pressure isn't easy.

The hostel has 6 floors; you can use the small elevator.

Everytime I went, I used the online reservation system without a problem.

Unique Quality: The hostel has a nice outdoor terrace, but its most interesting quality is definitely its location: right in the middle of Time Square! You can even get there by foot from Port Authority Terminal: it's just blocks away. So, obviously, you have an amazing number of restaurants and souvenir boutiques within walkable distance - so are the Broadway theatres.

And of course, it's cheap.

this is very basic accomodation but is in an excellent location as it just off time square.
there are 2 types of room option which are dorms and private rooms, neither have their own bathroom but I have to say that the shared bathroom is clean.
the hostel has a breafast room and a common room. It also has a great Deli Next door.
I stayed here in feb 2002.

Unique Quality: Location, Location, Location!!! - this is what makes this hostel stick out.

Directions: Just off Time Square, on 45west Between 5th & 6th Avenue half way down.

Nearest subway - 42nd st Time Square - Red, Yellow & Purple lines.

Stay there for a week end of Oct 2004.
I paid around 35 USD per night for a bed in a four sharing room.
Basically the room must be the size of my bathroom in Amman but, hey, I was in NY !!
The location is the best feature of the hostel with a lot of facilities around including free internet connection at the tourist center of Time Square !
The place is pretty clean taking into account the promiscuity of the guests !
Eventually, I was happy with my stay there and made some friends !

Unique Quality: Location