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
Good to know
- Dorms of 4 to 14 beds
- Private and family rooms
- Large outdoor patio
- Game room
- Café
- Free activities
Why we recommend it
HI New York City Hostel is run by the non-profit Hostelling International USA and 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 a calmer residential setting than the hostels of Midtown and downtown.
Accommodation ranges from shared dorms of 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 beds, each guest with their own bunk, privacy curtain and personal power and USB outlets, to private rooms. A private four-bed room sleeps four, and family rooms have a queen bed and a set of twin bunks plus a minifridge, with some offering an en-suite bathroom. That range makes it suitable for solo backpackers, groups of friends and families on a budget.
The facilities are a strong point. The enormous outdoor patio is a rare luxury in Manhattan and a natural meeting place in warm weather. Inside there is a game room with a pool table, workspaces, an on-site café and private event space. The team runs free events, including welcome parties, comedy nights and city walking tours, which make it easy to meet other travellers.
Check-in is from 4pm and check-out by 11am. Stays are limited to 21 days per calendar year, pets are not allowed, and groups of ten or more must book through the group sales team. Rates are low for New York, which makes the hostel popular, so book early for summer and holiday periods. Bring a padlock for any storage you use, earplugs for dorm nights and a sense of adventure for the free events, which are the easiest way to make friends on a solo trip.
Central Park is about 0.4 miles east, and the park's quieter northern half, with the North Woods and the Conservatory Garden, is easy to reach. The American Museum of Natural History is about 1.4 miles south, and the Apollo Theater in Harlem about 1.5 miles north-east. The 103rd Street station on the 1 line is a short walk west on Broadway, and the B and C lines stop at 103rd Street on Central Park West, giving fast connections to Midtown and downtown.
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 events include welcome parties, comedy nights and city walking tours.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 4pm and check-out at 11am.
Is there a limit on how long you can stay?
Yes. The maximum stay is 21 days per calendar year.
Are pets allowed?
No.
What facilities are there?
A large outdoor patio, a game room, workspaces, an on-site café and private event space.
Which subway stations are nearest?
103rd Street on the 1 line, and 103rd Street on the B and C lines.