Explore Hotel and Hostel

Hostel

Great hostel to meet people and make friends. The ability to cook a meal or group share grocerys. Walking capable and bus stop around the corner. For a price into new york.

Reception staff was very nice, but after seeing the room (bed tilted, no sheets, pillows or towels, bathroom filthy and light not working) we asked for another room which was just as bad. We cancelled the reservation and booked someplace else. Would not recommend.

I just booked a room and after reading a lot more reviews I realized I don’t even need to stay here to know I don’t want to stay here. I’d rather walk away from 30 bucks than walk into a terrible experience. read the reviews. Possible bed bugs? Almost certainly a cold shower? Potentially no linens? Maybe people fighting? Likely tons and tons of noise throughout the entire night? Thanks, but no thanks, can keep my money; I’ll stay elsewhere.

It was really dirty place. Bedroom was stinky and bathroom was disgusting. I felt like it was fortunate that I didn’t see the bed bugs. I think they didn’t even try to improve hostel at all. I never recommend you guys to use this hotel. Price can be reasonable. If you don’t have enough money, it could be the last option.

More or less a tenant runned facility. Rooms are average. Rarely any hot water and lounge area is avoidable. Fine if your just looking for a bed as the price can't be beat.

Terrible rude staff the guy said I was drunk (i have been sober for over 5 years) just trash staff, they threw my clothes away I had just shopped in the city with reciept in bag, I checked with store the items were returned and refunded just a trash pile place. I have email showing I have stayed there and reciept showing purchases were made and refunded 72.49$ from old navy 34th st.

Good place to stay, even though the pictures are not quite what you find once you get there: small rooms and cheap-looking furniture.

The worst place I've ever been. The bed was horrible, the sheets were dirty, the room was dirty and everything was just gross, there is no hot water, also they gave us a towel with a hole, definitely the worst experience of my life, if you want some advice, don't go to this place, I hope it closes soon. The second day we left there and went to a real hostel.

The moment I entered, I knew I came to the wrong place. The entire area is quite shady and the employee at the desk is terribly unmotivated. There is only one available employee at all times. The rooms are not cleaned properly (floor, bathroom, window, etc. ) and the linens are basically nonexistent. For the price, I knew the quality of the rooms would not be great, but I thought that the quality of service would make up for it. It didn't.

This is the worst place I have even been. We waited about 20 minutes to be spoken to for check in. When we were acknowledged the receptionist was very unprofessional. We booked online and was told they had no rooms. We had to leave and drive 20 minutes to a new location to find a room. Only to find out this hotel still charged us a No Show fee when we clearly arrived. Horrible service there was alot of people loitering around the premisis.

Wish I could give negative stars. I made a reservation only to get there and wait 30 minutes to check-in and there wasn't even a line, after which they tell me they have no rooms available. Then they charged me $50 the next day as a no show even though I came and they turned me away. That was a week a ago and I still haven't gotten a refund yet. Lastly I understand it's a hostel, but it looks more like a halfway house the way people were just loitering in the lobby.

This is a piece of place crap. Very dirty and messy. The beds had leftover food and there were cockroaches. The bathrooms suck. It looked like jail. Terrible place in every way. I'd rather sleep on the street than stay in this dirty, foul-smelly place!

Looks that houskeeping boss doesnt respect privacy, so before sign out, she will come and open door without permission. So sucks! She is also doing this to employees, otherwise rooms OK.

The place is fine within what it offers, but it could improve a bit the cleanliness.

Is a regular Hostal for the price, but the thing is they don't have hot water in the shower and it's — 10° or 17° F so, take a shower there is a punishment. The service could be better too.

There are cockroaches good deal that yes but it's feeeeeooooo.

This place is the worst place I have ever stayed. The room was very dirty. Other guests seemed to be in lower class, uneducated people. They made a lot of noises and next to my room a guy brought a girl. I couldnt sleep. The bathrooms were extremely filthy. Small and trashs all over the place, smelled bad. When I checked in and got to my room, the room was never cleaned before. Sheets were not in their position, a little wet. Some stains were on sheets and pillows. staffs were kind but very unprofessional.

I stayed here at various times. When it first opened, it was quite clean and quiet. Nice lounge and cool staff. However I'm afraid the place has gone quite downhill. The last time I stayed here, the lounge was in disarray with mice in the kitchen. And that dirty pink rockinghorse is just plain creepy. I paid for a female dorm bed but there were guys coming in and out, and loud sex at various times. Other people staying there did not have the best hygiene. I really stopped staying here because someone crapped diarrhea all over our common bathroom. Now that wasn't the hostel's fault, but I have that image forever associated with the Explore Hostel. I would stay here again if I absolutely had to. It isn't the absolute worst. Two stars because of the neighborhood and no complaints about the staff. It isn't the worst here.

Staff is enough nice to interact with. No hot water for 4 nights. No written notifications anywhere to see a schedule of repairs. Nothing. Staff at front desk are polite but had no clue as to repairs or anything. I texted the manager and 4 days ago and still no text back. No acknowledgement. No respect. If you can pay a bit more to stay in a better place, do so. If not, you’ll pay their stated price for some of the amenities you’re supposed to get like hot water! And an answer from management. Shitty at best!

I stayed here for a night, and there was to gay men making love in my bed when I got. There was also "workers" in my bathroom and in don't even want to know what they were doing. I went to the front desk and they didn't care and gave me the same room. I asked for a return, but they didn't give it back and I just left.

The check in was great. Considering the I was in a shared dorm type room and the price range. It was actually good. But if u have high standard u might wanna try some where a bit more expensive.

Never stay there again. I do not recommend! This place was really dirty and full of ladies that was working in the "bar" in front of the hotel they were stay permanently there. The room was their house. It had no sheets and when I asked they gave me some dirty with spots and hair on it. It didn't had hot water the first day and it was full of noise at night. It is located in a strange area because of that bar… Moreover it is used from men that was coming from the bar with ladies from the bar, for just a couple of hours. They do not provide soaps. The first room that they gave me was occupied from one of these ladies and she told me to do away. After that they gave me another room without any sheets, smelly and with one crazy lady (one of those) that looked into my stuff and came 3 times to my bed while I was sleeping. Next day they pretend that they didn't knew her. The room was full of suitcases (6) from the lady that was permanently stayed there. No hot water, dirty, smelly, with people in there coming to "do their job" with the ladies for couple of hours…

Absolutely filthy. The sheets were not changed and there were black hairs all over and white stains. The restroom didn't have any soap and again balls of black hair in the shower. There was no water for the sink and in the shower there was no hot water. The staff said they were out of soap… Gross. If you expect something less than standard because the price is cheap, chances are your expectations are still too high.

Great place if of your in a bind. I had a good experience except for one roommate that was Gay and seemed to be doing his best to make me uncomfortable. He kept waking me up at all hours to ask me if I wanted to drink with him or smoke pot. Besides that wired dude staring at me, it was fine!

The place has a very Bohemian feel to it. Yes it is no frills but location and cost are fine if you just need a place to sleep. You do need to be comfortable with sharing your room with fellow travelers.

This spot is convenient and cheap. The expectation is to at least have a clean room and bed sheets. As such, the room and bathroom were clean enough. Although the sheets were questionable (I had to ask for them to remove and provide "fresh" replacements). The customer service from the young lady at the front desk was adequate (she seemed to try her very best). I rate 3 stars as a result. I spent one day and a half and was delighted with Union City. It's a fresh alternative to Jersey. Food and shopping "Brooklyn ish". Nice vibe and neighbourhood. It was worth the US$80 boarding cost.

It's cheap in the off season and across the bridge from Manhattan. During the season it's almost a ghost town because they double the price. Generally employees are cool and great to get along with but there's a few that are hard chargers and act like it's a Hilton. They seem to forget it's a hostle and suppose to be fun and adventurous. They have this uncharacteristically rule of no sleeping in the lounge.

Worst place. Dirty and no organization at all. Full of really strange people. Guest looks like homeless. Some living there, local homeless looking for cheap shower and bed. Confusion in the booking they didnt have enougth beds. Very bad. Run away.

I've stayed here twice now (Feb 2017, March — April 2017) as it's so very cheap compared to NYC! bus 159 goes right from 42nd St Port Authority to the hostel for $3.50 single or 10 trips for $30 I think, takes 12 minutes unless rush hour.
Rooms are quite clean and the one I stayed in ensuite bathrooms have slate in the showers, recently renovated, quite nice. You can pay less and get non-en suite.
Some times the front desk staff can be rude depending which person is there and they didn't tell me about the kitchen/lounge area which is a shame hence 4/5*
But I will stay next trip more than likely :)
Sarah
London, UK.

I booked one of their rooms on booking, com and saw a better price on the website. Since I was within my cancellation period, I booked the room through their website and cancelled the the one made through booking, com. To my surprise, I then received an booking confirmation with a higher price due to the tax added in the end (no tax was mentioned on the website while making the reservation. Now it was too late to cancel the reservation made on the website so I called them to a…sk if I could get the room for the original price. They told me no. While trying to save $3 I ended up losing almost $5. They should really mention the tax that gets added on top of the price on their website. For foreign travelers it is unusual to only find out about that after the booking has been made. On the bright side, they are pretty close to Manhattan and the prices are good for the area.

Showers are in disrepair, door handles broken. Wi-Fi rarely works and hot water is scarce. Poor management. If those things don't bother you it's a place to stay and cheap.

Great place, great staff, great value for money.

Oooooh god worst hotel I have ever been to doors dont lock. No towels. Loud people all night till 3 am. Window is drafty. Its super cold and horrible neighborhood.

The attendant at the door took far too long to get me checked in. There were some issues with cleanliness and general disorganization. Otherwise it was a fairly pleasant stay.

If you have some money for a NY visit wants to save money here you can find a place to stay. The Hostel offers every day a Shuttle service directly to the bus terminal in NY, which is very comfortable and relatively fast (30min). Otherwise, the Hostel via public Bus is very well vob NY. The area around the Hostel offers plenty of opportunities to buy and cheaper Breakfast than in NY. Of Bars and Restaurant but it is just rather poor. The equipment of the rooms is good. S they also feature a private bathroom, in average quality and plenty of space to store things. A big Minus is however the Lack of proper Windows. Also, the fact that the bed is directly under the output of the air-conditioning can be unpleasant. The communal area is located in a cultivation separately and looks a little bit improvised and really dirty. I found it but still OK because he is relatively well offers the possibility of a conversation with people.

Where do I begin… Please never go here. Not only was there no hot water for you to shower with. There was also no soap or wash cloths. The receptionist had idk if it was his friends or whoever there all night laughing, speaking loudly and having a great time till about 1 in the morning. I had to come out and ask for them to please be quiet, just to get some sleep, and not just me other people came out also. You would think they would be quiet after that right, WRONG. My wife and I didn't get any sleep, it was the worst experience I ever had and I'll never go back again. I Please do not waste your money.

I stayed at hush hostel for 4 nights with a large group of friends, and then one night alone. The staff were great and were extremely helpful and kind. They greeted us with a map of the area as soon as we checked in and were very helpful when we had questions about things like where to buy medicine and ​​Manti. You can do your laundry for a very low price. We did 4 loads and nothing was lost.

Very easy to get to, the staff is incredibly helpful and friendly… I loved the variety of options as to which size room you wanted. … from your own room, to sharing a mixed dorm with 7 others… all men/all women/mixed. Towels provided, rooms cleaned daily, lockers provided (you bring your own lock! ) I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again!

For a few Nights a passable Hostel. The reception is nice and the Hostel is a good find. Points are available for the very worn-out bathroom. I failed due to a Zugversätung only 5 hours of sleep there, found the sleep but quiet and Union City ok.

Not perfect but it is a Good place to stay ($ considered). The front desk people are sweet and very helpful. I stayed in some of their rooms that I find really nice, more spacious than the rest. Once you are in the room, it is quiet and you hear nothing else from outside. I like the bathroom/shower inside. Aside from the towels (that should come in uniform size and color) they have clean linens and blankets and comfy beds. I suggest though that the cleaning ladies would sweep the floors and do dusting every so often . They have a lounge where you can hang out and eat; but most of the time it is topsy-turvy and in disarray — it really needs follow-up cleaning and order at all times especially the refrigerator and sink. I wish they have a stove/oven. It'd be really cool to be able to cook NOT on a portable electric cooker. The one bummer is catching the bus to the city which cost you 6 bucks and change everyday and that you have to really know the schedule. The minivans are there but you have to walk 7 blocks going to and coming back. Otherwise the hostel has a shuttle ($3) to the city but only until 11:30 a. M. To sum it up, this hostel is all but fine. I'll still keep on coming back here whenever I need to.

The kind and helpful staff is just a cover. I travelled to NYc during 10-14 July. I booked for this hostel for 4 night. I arrived at the hostel at 10 july late night. Everything was just fine until I got to my room. The bed wasn't available for me. There were clothes and luggage on the bed that suppose to be mine. This also happend to my friend who travelled with me exactly the same. I was very tired and it took like an hour for them to find a new room for me. So I said to them I was not very happy what was happening to me and asked for my refund. (But I stayed for one night because it was too late) They said no problem but the process should take around 5-10 days. Until 3 weeks passed I ve bever got my refund back. Not even for the call, No e-mail back. yesterday I called for the first time and they said they gonna response back in 1-2 days. Come in guys! What kind of this service. So I wouldn't recommend any of my friends to stay there forever and ever. Seriously dispointed. I still have a slightly hope that they gonna response me back even though the chance is like finding a diamond in the ocean.

I'd describe this hostel as a good enough place to stay. I enjoyed my stay and it was worth paying around $25 less per night to stay here compared to hostels in Manhattan. Location and transport: It's located in Union City, which requires a commute to NYC. The price reflects the location. I knew this when I was booking and expected to have to take public transportation. It's very easy to get to the Port Authority bus terminal, but the worst part is trying to figure out which bus to take to Union City, NJ. The hostel states to take the 122 bus — don't listen to this. That bus wasn't even running when I got to NYC. The best thing to do is ask at the info centre at the terminal (they are kind of rude, but they'll begrudgingly help you). Also, there will be random guys offering you help at the terminal — feel free to take it, but they expect a tip. There are automated info centres to look up your bus number, so once you figure out which bus to take you can just check there. The thing is that there are a number of buses that run to Union City and it all depends on what time you are going and where in UC you are going. It took me a few days (and one event of bursting in to tears after waiting for a bus for 2.5 hours! ), but I figured it out. Getting to NYC is VERY easy. There are mini buses that run from NJ to NYC 24/7 and they are $3 cash. It was always a breeze getting to Manhattan.

The best for less. Awesome place to stay. The best is the staff… ;)

Clean, friendly, super affordable and in a great location. Very close to all kinds of shops, restaurants and public transportation to NYC and other parts of NJ. Did I mention clean. The only reason it doesn't get the 5 stars is because the hot water was an issue early in the mornings (15 minutes plus to get warm, old pipes I guess) besides that it was best of the best. Highly recommended, will be defiantly be staying here on my visits to NYC and NJ.

I had a great 5 night stay at Explore! Friendly and informative staff, awesome building, clean, decent neighborhood! I would definitely recommend it to anyone and I'm sure I will stay here again!

Excellent hotel to spend the night, I stayed 15 days with my girlfriend and all good, the only bad thing is that everything is made of wood and dreams up the smallest noise of rest. To all to give.