I'll be staying in New York City with two friends of mine for a few days after New Years. Could anyone suggest a really cheap hotel in Manhattan, or perhaps a youth hostel? I would appreciate finding out the price and whether or not it is "decent" in terms of livability (though my friends and I will have a high tolerance level). Please help a poor college student! Thank you

What do you consider "really cheap"?

There is an AYH hostel on the upper west side - 103rd and Amsterdam. Last I looked it was around $35 a person for a room for four or six.

As a college student in the late 1960's I first visited New York and stayed at the West Side YMCA for $6 a night. Is it still there? Do they still rent rooms? What's it like? I'm sure it's now more than $6, but how much?

The Y is more expensive than the youth hostel, that's for sure. The HI hostel isn't bad, but with 600 beds, it's a zoo. There are tons of hostels in NYC, go to the book store and find Let's Go NYC for more info and the all-important review - quality varies widely. I've stayed at the Aladin near Times Square - it's convenient, but I think the schlep uptown to the HI hostel is worth it. I like that neighborhood better.

If you shop around you may find a HOtel such as the Murray Hill Inn, the Pickwick Arms, Habitat Hotel or Hotel 17 that has shared bath rooms and perhaps (just maybe) one of them will have a few rooms with two beds or at least a double so you could bunk two people per room. Many of these (last time I checked) had rooms for $85 per night or less before tax. If hostels are $35 per night it is well worth the few extra $$ to have a private room.