I've stayed at one once, The Big Apple Hostel in Times Square--and HATED it. They crammed 4 of us in the room the size of a closet! I've been going to NYC a lot this year (from DC) and want to come again over Thanksgiving. I've been staying at the Portland Square Hotel in Times Square but need to stay somewhere *cheap* this time as I'm tapped.

I've decided to give another try at a hostel in NYC, while I'm still *youthful* enough (some have age restrictions). There's a new one called Bowery's White House Hotel on Bowery St. and another called the West End Studios on 850 West End Avenue. Both offer private rooms for only $31/45 a night. I'm leaning toward the one in the Bowery, but I'm not sure if that area is very safe at night? The subway stop is Bleeker St. I'm not much of a night owl anyway but I will be out until about midnight a couple of the nights.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these hostels and/or neighborhoods? I think the West End Studios Hostel might be a bit better (television in the room--oh boy!)

I'm tired of all this talk about New Yorkers being hostile. Well, were no more hostile than any other place. We don't walk around beating each other and knocking old ladies off the curb. Beirut is hostile with all the fighting and bombing. In New York we have many wonderful sights and churches. We're a peace lovingh people. This is a libel put out by other cities to lure away our tourist. Well, I'm outraged. There ought to be an investigation!!

Sincerely,

Miss Emily Littlella.

Wait, you said Hostel. Oh, that's different - Never mind.

From: Mr. Richard Feyder, Ft. Lee, NJ
To: Emily, JavaJ

Ok, seriously ... I've stayed at the HI/AYH hostel at 103rd/Amsterdam several times. I've felt the rooms were large enough, but no TV's. The place seemed clean & well cared for, and my biggest surprise was the electronic "card-key" locks on each room. I must qualify my response in that my stays were merely from around 10pm to Midnight, checking out early (6 am or so) the next morning to catch early flights from LaGuardia. It appeared the hostel offers a number of services a traveler would be interested in if you were going be be staying a few days.

I think the Bowery area near Bleecker is okay until midnight or a bit later - lots of clubs and cafes at that end of Bleecker and CBGB's is on Bleecker right around there. Lots of people out and about up until 2 AM or so especially in the warm weather.

If you had an unpleasant stay in a hostel in NYC already, why on earth would you want to do it again?

My suggestion would be to bid on a two star hotel on priceline. For a couple more dollars, you can get your own room with a private bath.

West End Studios is in a residential Neighborhood (high rent) on the Upper West Side. IT is on West End Avenue Around 100th St. The subway station Is at 103rd and Broadway (One block east of West End) The AYH hostel mentioned in another note is at 103rd and Amsterdam Ave. (one block east of Broadway.













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