I'm taking a group of 26 teen singers from Portland, ME to NYC in May. Most have never been to the city. I only have experience with hotels based on business travel. Are hostels generally safe in the city? I'm specifically looking at the Aladdin Hotel/Hostel; Big Apple Hostel; Jazz on the Park Hostel.

Any help/experience would be greatly appreciated.

If nothing else this answer will get you back to the top. I don't have direct experience with any of these hostels but in general there are AYH/HI hostels, an international organization, that have standards they all have to meet and generally speaking are all fairly well run. Then there are independent hostels which vary greatly. I don't believe that any of the hostels you have mentioned are part of AYH. Big Apple Hostel is one of the largest hostels in NYC and to my knowledge has a good reputation and I think would probably work for you but again no direct experience. That's as far as I can take you {besides getting you back on top.} I can make two suggestions though. You might post this same question on lonelyplanet.com on their thorn tree. Far more folks there who use hostels and you might get more feedback. And if this is the type of accomadations you're looking at you might check out the West Side YMCA , I think about about W63th st. Good location and I believe they have group rates/packages and deals that may include meals and tours. Do a search for the YMCA's main site , I think the program is called "The Y's Way". Good Luck.

Recently saw a book , I think called The New York Times Guide to NYC Hotels , which included reviews of all the housing situations in NYC including reviews of hostels. Not the direct experience you're looking for but you don't seem to be getting many hits on this. Good luck and I don't envy you your task though I'm sure you'll all have fun.

Hi, Laura, I think it's a good idea for you to follow-up on my suggestions by asking this specifically. Probably not too many people on Fodors know, but it's worth a try. I have lots of info on various cities and travel advice for specific groups so I knew about these hostels, but do not have personal knowledge of them inside. However, someone mentioned the Internationl HI org. and they do have a huge hostel up on central park west also if you want to consider them (www.hinewyork.org). For more specific ideas, here are two web sites on hostels and they have forums: www.hostels.com (a terrific site for US hostels, in fact, they have the ones I suggested and quite a few other choices, including budget hotels) and www.thebackpacker.net. THe Hostels web site doesn't have any relevant postings on NYC hostels that I saw, the other one has a rating guide (which is easy to overlook, you click on the red writing) for some US hostels--the Aladdin has two negative ratings (but no comments as to why), the official HI one has 5 ratings, two neg, two positive, one middle. You should probably invest in a guidebook geared towards younger folks on this issue, you might get other ideas on the food thing, also--pick up "Let's Go, New York" and they will no doubt discuss these hostels. I think you need a membership card to stay at the HI place, although it's not much. One advantage with a group is that these places will reserve ahead for groups and sometimes do not for individuals. If it were me, I would def. go the hostel route with 26 teens, both for money and ambience. I hate to say it, but I have had the misfortune of being in a hotel which catered to youth groups and it is very unpleasant for other guests, at times, as they are noisy and run around. I think it might be more comfortable with that group in a hostel setting, for them, also. I agree that HI hostels do have some standards, but in ambience and facilities are often not as nice (or def. as new) as some newer independent hostels. YOu don't want a tenement rathole, though. School groups staying in hostels is very common in Europe which is why you will prob. see a lot of European youth groups in these places, and a lot of Eur hostels are not as nice or nicer than these NY ones. Oh, I think Rick's suggestion to post this on Lonely Planet's board was a great idea.

Thanks Rick, Gail and Christina. I was getting discouraged with no replies, but I think Rick is probably right ... Fodor'ites probably are less likely to do the hostel thing. I'll definately check out lonelyplanet and the other sites you all mentioned.

I'm very grateful to you all.

Laura , We're pullin' for you. I like Christina's suggestion of "Let's Go NYC". This would be helpful for hostel and budget hotel recommendations and would be invaluable as a source of relatively inexpensive eats. If you don't buy a copy at least go to your library and copy the restaurant recommendations. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides both have guide books that could be helpful for rooms and eats. I think Christina and I are roughly on the same page. My caveat on independaent hostels is that they can be both better than AYH and also much worse. I believe the Banana Bungalo in NYC became so bad it was closed by the health department. Some also have reputations as real party places , mucho alcohol and drugs, Banana Bungalos are notorious for this. THe AYH hostel in NYC is way north , 123rd st?, and not in the best area but I suppose doable. A couple of budget hotels that come to mind are the Belleclaire and the Wolcott. But agree that the hostel option might work really well for a group of young people.

The AYH hostel in NYC is located at 103rd St. and Amsterdam Ave. This is about 3 miles due north of Times Square. Subway transportation is one block away on Broadway. One advantage - lots of inexpensive places to eat. Big Apple is on W. 43rd, right in the heart of Times Square. Jazz on the Park is three blocks north and two blocks east of the Ayh on 103rd. Very close to Central Park. The last time I checked most hostels were charging about $30 a person for dormitory type rooms. It probably is less for group bookings. YOu might look into some of the budget hotels. The Habitat, for example, advertises double rooms with shared bath for under $100. It is in a good location - E. 57th and Lexington Avenue. YOu might also check the Beacon on Broadway and 75th Street. Putting four into a room and with the possibility of a group rate the cost per person might not be much more than the cost per person for a hostel. I park right outside the Beacon, every day for a few minutes, to shop for my daily breakfast.On many days, I have noticed groups of teen-agers waiting outside getting ready to head out for the day. They must offer a pretty good deal to student groups. The Beacon must have a website; the Habitat website is www.habitatny.com

I'm a frequent hosteler. However, I've never stayed at any of the hostels that you referenced above. I live in New York. That said, It's been my experience that problems w/ hostels located in most major American cities relate more to noise and cleanliness than crime. In general, city hostels are fairly safe; but, can be rather unhygienic. If you take few simple precautions, you'll greatly improve your chances of having a good time.

1. Everyone should bring a pair of flip-flops, thongs, or what ever you call them. The communal showers can be an athletes foot haven.

2. Many frequent hostelers invest in a thing known as a "sleep sack." It's essentially a sheet sewn together in the form of a sleeping bag. It serves as a barrier b/t you and the blankets/bed that thousands of other people slept on before you. Without all the bulk of a sleeping bag, sleep sacks easily roll up into something the size of a soft ball--perfect for travel.
You can make a sleep sack yourself or purchase one in any one of a number of travel-orientated retail catalogues.

3. Never leave money or valuable possessions out in the open and unattended. As I stated, hostels are fairly safe. But, why tempt fate.

4. Most hostels are equiped w/ lockers to store valuables. Bring padlocks to utilize them.

As I stated, I'm a frequent hosteler and find hostels to be a great, inexpensive way to travel. I just take a few basic precautions to assure that I have a good time.

Don't worry about what you'll find in NYC. Honestly, you'll be much more concerned about hygiene and safety than your charges. Good luck!

It isn't clear whether your interest in hostels is in some part to allow the teens to have the "hostel experience" or whether it's an issue of cost per person. With hostels running $30 per perosn there might be copst effective alternatives that are more convenient. Radio City Apartments comes to mind (if they have enough suites to accomodate you at that time). You could get a two bedroom suite that sleeps 6-8 people and it's likely to be under $200. There's much to be said for the advantages of a location in midtown and the kitchen facilities that will come with such a suite - worth considering as a hostel alternative. I think hostels represent a great value for solo travelers but the savings become less significant or non-exostent when the group gets larger.

Thanks all for the latest posts. Some great things to consider. I am looking for a low-cost way to travel with these kids. I will look into the apartments. That sounds like another great alternative. And if that doesn't work, it sounds like the hostels will still be safe alternatives, albeit a bit on the "less pristine" side, but as Kathy said, I'll probably be the only one concerned.

Again, thanks to everyone for the most helpful info.