Hotel
The Plaza
Opened in 1907 at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, the Fairmont-managed Plaza is one of New York's most storied grand hotels.
HI New York City Hostel
A large non-profit hostel in a Gilded Age building on Amsterdam Avenue, offering dorms, private rooms, a big outdoor patio and free activities.
At a glance
- Type
- Hostel
- Area
- Upper West Side, New York, United States
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- hiusa.org
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Dorms
- Private rooms
- Large outdoor patio
- Free walking tours
- Social activities
Why we recommend it
Run by the non-profit Hostelling International USA, this hostel fills a grand Gilded Age building on Amsterdam Avenue at 103rd Street, on the Upper West Side. It is one of the most affordable ways to stay in Manhattan, with shared dorms of 4 to 14 beds alongside private rooms, including family rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
The enormous outdoor patio is a rare luxury in the city, and the team runs free activities such as walking tours, which make it easy to meet other travellers. Central Park is a couple of blocks east, and the 103rd Street subway stations connect quickly to Midtown and downtown.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
HI New York City Hostel FAQs
Are there private rooms?
Yes — private four-bed rooms and family rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms, as well as dorms of 4 to 14 beds.
Does the hostel run activities?
Yes — free activities including city walking tours.