Vanderbilt YMCA

Hostel

Basic clean room, excellent gym and pool facilities!

The rooms we're very clean, and the building is in a great location. The people staying there we're mostly either families, or younger people, but everybody was very respectful and nice.

Convenient, private rooms, security, cleanliness, and access to pools!
Oh also affordable.

For $100 a night you get a room in the middle of Manhattan, near the Grand Central Terminal & Bryant Park. The front desk personnel are often not so friendly. The rooms are clean, the shared bathrooms not so clean and the bed is a simple twin mattress on a metal/wood frame — no boxspring. The AC is adequate and the heat can be overly ambitious (the pipes bang. ) Free Wi-Fi. The CVS and the corner deli (Bread & Butter) are nearby. The YMCA workout facilities are available to be used by hotel guests — the equipment is top notch. If you stay here I recommend you bringing an inflatable pillow, ear plugs, wipes, possibly a light blanket and a sense of adventure. Most folks who use the YMCA hotel are younger, I’m 54. Being a single female I feel safe staying here. This was the view from my room — I could see the Chrysler Building.

I HAD a reservation and emailed and asked about the cancellation policy and my reservation was cancelled. I didn't want to cancel, I wanted information on your cancellation policy.

To start off, the location is amazing. Two minutes from the subway, lots of good restaurants and even a few museums quite in the vicinity. However, the staff is very grumpy and does not seem to want to be working here at all. The men's showers are big and clean, the women's however are small and dirty, and can't even be locked. We constantly only used the men's showers. There's a public kitchen and a few vending machines, and attached to the hotel is a (members only) gym.

I stayed in this hostel for three weeks that are luckily finished today. The room was so tiny that me and my roommate didn't know where to put our luggage. My room's door didn't work properly and sometimes the key stopped working for no reasons at all. We didn't have a mirror and there was only one bathroom for the whole third flour (there are approximately 30 rooms on each flour), which of course was always occupied. Also the kitchen was small, not fully equipped and overcrowded (one kitchen for 10 flours). Apparently housekeeping only consist in making the bed because I had the same dirty on the flour for three weeks. What made me angry the most is that, after I checked out, I asked the staff if I could leave my luggage for 10 minutes and they told me I had to pay a ticket. For 10 bloody minutes! The location is very convenient but it doesn't worth it.

Listen very carefully kids, I'm here to help so that you don't do the same mistake I did. I get why you want to stay here: It's cheap and has a good location, right? I understand, that's what I wanted too. Believe me though, If I knew what it actually was, I wouldn't have come here. Where do I start? Rude and unprofessional staff, squeaky bed and doors, thin walls so you literally hear every single teenager on the floor screaming, dirty carpets, room is the size of a shoebox, the AC and the fridge make noises that won't let you sleep and, most importantly, the most disgusting bathrooms I have ever seen in my entire life. I've been to a lot of hostels and motels around the world, never in my life have I seen such horribly maintained place. First of all, 2 toilets for the whole floor? Are you kidding me? Second of all, does anybody clean them? The smell you get when you enter the showers will make you gag and there's no water pressure. There's NO WATER. There's no privacy either. This place is basically a prison so stay away from it. You don't have the money to afford a better place? No problem, postpone your trip, save 200$ and book somewhere else. I guarantee your trip will be ruined if you stay here. This place is SO DIRTY it should be illegal … and if you gave this place 5 stars, you're an idiot and should not be a local ''guide'' To top it all, they charge their own ''guests'' 2$ to store luggage hah!

Shame on the Vanderbilt YMCA that I should walk in, carrying my 2 year old and not be allowed to use the bathroom! My husband and I were driving from Connecticut and my newly potty trained two year old needed to use the bathroom terribly, we saw the Y and I thought, oh, for sure they will let us use the bathroom! No big deal right? Wrong! I walked in carrying my child and clearly had no wallet on me but when I asked to use the restroom instead of just allowing me to take my toddler to pee, they said, “I need to see your ID! ” to which I replied “I left everything in my car and she’s really got to go, can we please use it? ” What did they say back to me?!?!? “Sorry, you need ID to use the facility. ” I am appalled and disgusted! What kind of place turns away a toddler?!?! I don’t know who the staff is that works here around 7 pm on a Thursday evening but you should be ashamed of yourselves! We will never go here again and I will be spreading this like wildfire! Social media is extremely effective for things like that!

Since I work around the corner, my husband and I sends my son there for camp. It's easy for me to take him with me, drop him off and head to work. It's his second year and so far he's loving it.

There were two of us here. It is really very little space. The bathroom is equipped (by default) in the hallway and simply. The room had a TV and fridge. For my brother and me sufficient, since we were able to explore due to the good location, super New York. The equipment two stars, the location is super and we found not too loud.

I was not using the gym to workout, but I did attend for a continuing education credit for my personal training certification. The gym did appear neat and clean as well as having proper security at the front desk to direct me where I needed to be.

Was okay. Cheap motel. People seemed friendly enough but the whole place stunk and had to wait 15-20 minutes in line to use restroom every morning. I would stay again but probably would look elsewhere first.

Extremly unfriendly stuff, rude and not helpful at all. Cannot recommend to stay here. Rooms and toilets/showers are not that clean. Not too bad, but could definitely done better. If you are unlucky with your room, you have to walk through the whole floor to get to a restroom.
Also the air conditioning ist not working properly.
Public "lounge" is extremly small and has just a few chairs in it. No place to socialise.

I stayed in a single deluxe room which had a small desk and trashcan, air conditioning unit, single bed with drawers underneath, a small wall mounted TV with a few dozen local channels, a small metal shelf/coat rack combo, a rectangular vertical mirror by the door, a small cube mini fridge, and a window that can be opened for some fresh air — although it may be a bit noisy outside. Due to the layout of the rooms, the halls can be a bit noisy as well depending on the other guests, and it is almost impossible to shut the heavy room doors so that they lock without allowing them to close on their own, which makes a loud slamming sound. The walls are a bit thin and it is possible to hear TV's or people talking either in adjacent rooms or in the hallway. The bed was comfortable, however they only provide one pillow. The deluxe rooms offer a semi-private bathroom which are shared, but are individual and can be locked so that you are the only person occupying the room. My floor had four bathrooms, and there was never a time that I had to wait to use one. The bathrooms are cleaned at least one time per day, and stay relatively clean throughout the day, although water from the shower would soak the floor after being used, making it a bit difficult to use the toilet afterwards due to the puddles. Hotel rooms are cleaned daily during which beds are cleaned and made, and a fresh towel is left in your room after each cleaning. Rooms are small, but clean and comfortable.

The room, with a bunk bed, it is really small. 2 meters 3.5 to the maximum. The bathrooms on the top floor are obscene, and considering that they serve the entire floor 2 toilet and 3 showers for the girls are really short. The hair dryer that's on the site are marked as present, are only in the locker room of the swimming pool, then there is a shower there, or you have to wander to the hostel dripping. The girl we found at our arrival in the reception had no desire to work, and is the only person not friendly-met in 10 days in NY. Worth only for the price and location, but definitely I have to go back in the city I would rather spend more than go back there.

Super clean bathrooms. I was really surprised with the facilities. The room that I got was really small (maybe not the best idea after visiting Alkatraz) but the bed was comfortable. I would recommend it to someone that knows NY as the stuff has to deal with gym customers at the same time so there's no typical tourist service with recommended places to see etc.

I would be very careful staying here if I were you. Wear flip flops in the shower. Also, don’t leave ANYTHING in the dresser, even when you are staying there. Housekeeping will throw everything out. I went out for a day to find out that all of my receipts and notes were gone. The front desk said there was nothing they could do about it, but that I just shouldn’t keep anything I don’t want thrown out anywhere about the room. So, literally, you have to live out of your suitcase here.

Worst experience ever in an hotel! Full of teenagers making noise and closing doors hardly at any time. No one will do anything, even if you say something at the lobby. First time I felt I got stolen, paying 138usd for one night it's a theft. Shared unhealthy restrooms and showers for that money? Definitely you are doing a big business Vanderbilt YMCA.

Good place to sleep and enjoy the city, a few blocks from the subway and the main attractions of the city!

We were several people and first moved in a lower-priced floor further down, then we put something on it and moved up to another area. There it was a bit more spacious, the view was better, the service was good, even in case of disturbances, and it was also quieter. It was a bit of a problem to park the car cheaply because all around parking garages were underground. On the street you can actually forget the parking, unless you find a defective parking meter, which no one dares to ask. The building of the United Nations Organization is very close. There are also shops on the corner for smaller grocery shopping, even late. "YMCA" is called the Young Men Christian Association, which corresponds to the "YMCA" in Germany.

It is not a hotel, it is a good place to sleep in the heart of New York. The price is high for what they offer, the rooms are very but very small. The staff is not at all nice.

Very simple, but definitely recommended.
Very simple, but definitely recommended.
The rooms are spartanly furnished and equipped with a refrigerator, which makes sense in the summer due to the enormous heat in New York. I was here with a group of students who liked it. Among other things also because of the very good sports facilities in the house.
The house is fantastically located, 8 mins to Grand Central and from there in ten minutes at Times Square.
There is nothing to eat in the house, but everything is in the immediate vicinity. The nearest Starbucks is not 2 minutes away.
Room Tip: The EZ are small and adequate, the quadruple rooms are OK.

I was here in August 2017, it was a great experience they have good Wi-Fi, swimming pool, gym Strongly suggested for single traveller.

Just reviewing the gym. It's very well equipped. An entire big room with machines and a small one for free weights (that get's even smaller during peak season). Two swimming pools (water is barely warm). Locker/showers/sauna are pretty good and clean. Big cardio room, basketball court (don't know if standard size) and a big saloon for aerobics. Personnel at the front desk is a bit rough and indifferent; I knew only one PT with the attitude of giving some simple advice (yes I know one should pay for that: but SIMPLE advice, come on…). Security guards seems to be having a bad time there.

The rooms were clean and nice. The staff was very friendly and the kitchen was perfectly equipped.

Location and price are top! Rooms, however, too small!

Very good location. The rooms are very small and meagre furnished.

I love to be there when I pass the school.

Whenever I entered the room, the key was not working so I always had to ask the reception to change the card. Eventhough I put it in my wallet always, the staff said the reason is that I put the card with my phone and so that is my fault. On the first day, we couldn't enter the room for one and half an hour because of their mistake, but they never said sorry about it but just said "wait a second". It was very inconvinient and terrible especially for tourists who walked a lot all the day. I think their card (room-key) system should be upgrade or changed and their sercvice or attitude should be improved!

You get what you pay for. Always had a good time here (3 stays). Yes, the rooms are very small but always clean. Employees are super friendly and the gym is perfectly equipped! Plus the location is just steps away from midtown Manhattan so this is the perfect starting point for all your NYC adventures.

I would definitely stay here again. My sister and I booked a room for one night while we were in the city seeing A broadway show. We were only staying in NY one night so this was perfect for what we needed. We had a place to drop off our bags, take a quick shower and come back and sleep after our show. The rooms are dorm room sized so if you want a lot out of a hotel this wouldn't be grest but if all you need is a comfy bed to sleep in this is perfect. Its close go grand central station and a 20 minute walk away from times square so I definitely loved how easy it was to get and from places while we were there.

Staff was nice. Room was clean though very small. Dorm room small. Bed clean and very comfortable. Bathroom clean in the semi private ones. Besides the size, it was a good stay.

It gets the job done. The rooms are small, but if you're going out and about and mostly using it for sleeping then it's fine! It's good 15-20 min walk from Times Square, so that's a good place to start. They provide you with towels for the showers and housekeeping comes to get trash and make beds. So if you plan on barely being in your room and need something cheap, this is great. You also have access to the gym and pool (but only if you have a swim cap for the pool).

Ok I just got a question about it is good for a weekend get away and I had to answer yes or no. What? If you want to a room that is part of the experience the answer is NO. If you want a place to sleep and spend minimum time there this is a great clean economical place. However you will find plenty of deals on non holiday weekends in near by hotels. It is a great location, highly functional, clean. It is a million miles from luxury.

Front desk people were amazing, as well as the maintenance staff who assisted me when I left my key in the rest room lol. Rooms weren't very spacious, however the wood flooring was a nice touch along with the drawers built in under the bed. Heat wasn't an issue (February), and the room had a decent view! Walls were a bit thin, I could hear quite a bit. Bathrooms were nice enough, with plenty of warm water too! To finish my day the steam rooms and saunas were also a nice touch! Overall for 100 dollars, the place wasn't too bad!

I have been here about 13 years ago. At the times it was 18$ a night lol. From what I remember: a very basic room with the necessary, with no insulation whatsoever. I heard noise all through the night, it was like having the windows open. The bathroom was a shared one down the hall, lucky my room was only a couple of doors down. The bathroom was typical public washoorm, not very nice to shower. I enjoyed the gym, got a good workout throughout my time there. I would stay there again, but not on today's prices for what it was!

Clean rooms and good location. Basic hotel option if you choose a private room (not ensuite). Overall it's a good place to staff without spending a lot of money.

Thank you for their hospitality, god I know the paid for giving us a space when we needed it we will never forget what you did for us att**fam fam mayor cardoso.

This is the closest thing to a hostel I've seen here in the US. It PERFECT for trying to save money and not caring to have a hotel. The best way to describe what you get is a super small dorm room with room service for towels. You will need to take your shampoos, shower shoes and all things toiletries but towels you will get. Once again think old style dorm room situation and you will know what you are walking into. Very clean, very safe and in a very good location in east Midtown!

I stayed on the 4th floor in a single room last year — just what I was after, perfect hostel room, great bathrooms etc.
Stayed in 763 last week. Awful room, not really fit for the bunk bed, had to ask for a rail for the top bunk, no room for a ladder, and it was either boiling or freezing.
Would recommend it, as it's a great location, but do be careful when booking your room.

Very well located and excellent price-quality ratio.

As a lifelong New Yorker and member of The YMCA in NYC since 1983 I can say unequivocally that this is the best YMCA in NYC. They have a great 25 yard lap swimming pool and gym with everything you'd need in a gym, including Spin classes. There are a slew of other classes including swim classes for beginners, yoga, and exercise dance classes. They have a sauna and steam room to use. It is centrally located in the heart of the City and near Grand Central Station. If you live on the East Side of Manhattan, this is the YMCA you should go to.

The YMCA Vanderbilt has a good price, almost perfect location and decent Service. I was there already several times the usual and get there book.

Cheapest hostel I could find for our (girlfriend and I) time being here. Definitely not the most spacious or comfortable place, but since being in New York is the actual attraction, it serves its purpose of a place to sleep at night and to take a shower. Toilets are mostly clean, so are the showers. We had a useful little fridge in our 2-bed-room which is nice and can be used to have breakfast before going to the city. The YMCA has lots of physical exercise options, which probably none of the visitors really uses for obvious reasons. On a rainy day, this might, however, be an alternative to running the streets with an umbrella, plus it's free to use if you're a guest. Altogether, I'm quite happy with this place and I can generally recommend it. The staff is super friendly and the place is cheap. However, the rooms are super tiny and the beds far from comfortable. Exactly what to expect for that price.

This is the worst hotel where I had ever been. Rude arrogant personnel, dirty old badrooms. Hallway didn't smell good. Terrific AC system Vending machines stole me money three times and staff didn't care about it.

Good clean rooms, staff friendly & location good… but oh so noisy! Not sure if it's a building site or what but trucks & constant noise outside till about midnight often later & then full swing from 5am. No sleep at all. Understand it is cheap by NY standards, just saying if you want a quiet hotel then you need to pay a lot more. Not the hotels fault after all I'm in the city that never sleeps lol.

If you are not picky and just want a place to stay in beautiful NYC this is a great choice. Rooms are nice and clean and so are bathrooms (although latter ones are shared I must say). The place has common-use spaces such as a dining room, kitchen, etc. For the quality/price I found the YMCA to be a perfect choice! You also have access to gym and all the amenities. People at the entrance desk were super friendly and courteous. One critique would have to be the Wi-Fi, could not get it working on my room which was on third floor I think. Will definitely return when in NYC!

The YMCA Hostel on 47th Street in New York is a satisfactory Hostel is Vanderbilt. Although the rooms (in our case a 2-bed room) are very small with little space for Luggage, but it is satisfactory to clean with daily room service and a television. The biggest advantage of this Hostel is the Pool and the gym, both of which can be used free of charge is definitely. In the really very clean and nicely furnished dressing rooms in the basement there is a Sauna, Hairdryers, and further towels, which can also be used free of charge. The staff of the Vanderbilt hostel is really friendly and helpful, especially the part that works as a security personnel there. In some levels, also community kitchens are available, but also for cooking unwilling, there are enough Restaurants and supermarkets (e. G. Whole Foods in the 57. Road) in the vicinity. Some attractions, such as the 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center and co. Can be reached by foot and the Rest comfortable with the Metro. All in all, the YMCA Vanderbilt to recommend so, especially if you consider that cleanliness and friendliness is not written to in many American Hostels.

THE PHOTOS ARE UNTRUE
House of 5 m 2 with towel as sheet. We say that all the money went in the pool and the gym. Beware, a pr access CAP has the pool and book pr the gym room. The staff is very very picky point lift the arm and show his card whenever we go out. Neighborhood not recommended for dinner with lots of guy squints. Piece of furniture for the room, use and attention, it's not good photos.

Tiny rooms less than 10 m2, sheets stained, expensive, bad electrical installations, toilet and bathroom in common. The hotel took top bottom, fitness room and pool but rooms are catastrophic. A staff that is not friendly.

Very good central location and especially for being more economic and family.

Good value for what you are paying. The rooms were small but clean. We had to use a communal washroom which was rarely busy so my friend and I mostly had it to ourselves when we needed to shower and get ready. It also has a gym, which looked nice, but we didn't use it. It's biggest asset is location. It's right in midtown so it's close to numerous attractions and things to do and it's very close to subway stations with Grand Central which makes getting around Manhattan very convenient. I would stay here again if I visit NYC in the future.

For the price, location and because you are only sleeping this well, I would say again. That said, the room is small but adequate, showers are shared but clean, a little noisy but not to a disturbing extent.

The rooms are tiny, but you know that going in. They are also clean with comfortable beds. I wish there were a few more bathrooms. You may have to wait during peak times… The staff was friendly. While it won't be for everyone, I can see staying here again on future NYC trips.

Positive, I would like to mention first that everything is kept clean. Disadvantage: the rooms are very small and it is loud, is there constantly listen to the ventilation of the outside nearby facilities. It is indeed one of the better accommodations for New York, but sensible Windows which allow less noise in the room should be possible.

Good hostel in New York! The rooms are small but fulfill their purpose. The shared bathroom is clean. Good quality for the price.

The room is realy small and pretty standard, always clean. The shared bathrooms and restrooms are very clean too. The hostel is pretty standard good and with an affordable price for low budgets and students.

I have used the gym at Vanderbilt YMCA for the past few years. The facility is great. It has a big pool that is opened most of the time.

I stayed at the Vanderbilt YMCA 20 years ago. At that time I was very pleased with the cleanliness and care that this old building had. The $19/day price was wonderful & the location just GRAND! Judging by my experience, then, I've decided to once again give the Vanderbilt another chance to prove itself! It's STILL a great value & after all, most people are just looking for a clean, inexpensive, overnight lodging! After my stay in a few months, I might change my mind about what I've said here, but then, I was much younger in 1988 & many things are suject.

Good community YMCA. I mostly use it for the gym, but the kids take swim lessons here as well. It's worth noting that there is child care available at popular work out times. It's a great deal for what you get.

I do not recommend it. When you provide this site they teach you the photos of the Deluxe rooms but they tell you which are the normal then once there teach you the room and logically it does not seem at all.

For a first-time visitor to NY, this place was perfectly located as it is within easy walking distance to for example Times square. I liked the place eventhough I think the room rate was a bit too expensive for a small single room. The facilities are ok as long as you're not looking for any luxary. Overall, I had a great stay.

The group classes are fun and productive, the instructors are knowledgeable and results driven. The facility is well maintained and the cardio equipment is relatively new or recently upgraded.

Fantastic location and really friendly staff, this hostel is really nice. However the rooms themselves are rather outdated and the bathrooms are nothing special, the actual accommodation side is not spectacular but the staff and the great location really make up for it.

Great service and great deal. Nothing fancy, but you're I'm NYC how much time do you spend in your room.

Probably the only plus point is the standard air-conditioners in all the rooms and the very Central location. But the most disgusting showers ever in a Hotel seen and the incredibly high prices for SOMETHING is not the way to make the back to the musty smell in the rooms with carpeted floors,. My girlfriend asked me when First entering the room if someone had puked on the floor. And in the case of Wifi-problems you can also contact the staff. AND try to print anything on public computers, such as boarding cards. You do not pay for it, however, works to the printer, and then…

Worst ever! it's really disappointing. Horrible idea to book here. Super expensive for the quality of this hostel. Pay $20 more for a 3/4 stars hotel!

Everything perfect. Clean rooms and staff. Just like but would put the Wi-Fi sometimes not going quite right.

Disgusting, petty, everything Defective.

I felt comfortable, I knew that was going to find a room small but clean and in a good location, and so it was, the staff is hard but mi no me molesto, I felt safe, comfortable, well heated, close to everything, although I like the comfort I loved that place. It is New York, one will not stay in the hotel more than a hour. The YMCA safe location. My stay was the 2nd. Fortnight in January 2012

Just cleaning, and small rooms but good economical option for enjoying Manhattan.