West Side YMCA
5 West 63rd Street, New York City, NY 10023-7162
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About
3.0
#12 of 42 hostels in New York CityLocation
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Located just off Central Park West and steps from the Columbus Circle transit hub, our New York hostel guest rooms offer private Single and Bunk rooms that provide a home away from home for nearly 130,000 International and Domestic budget travelers each year. Our ideal location in NYC allows guests to enjoy the beauty of Central Park, the energy of Times Square and world famous cultural institutions including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Museum of Natural History. As a hotel guest of the West Side YMCA, you can enjoy FREE use of our 65,000 square foot Health and Wellness Facility - including two indoor swimming pools. We're easily accessible to all NYC public transportation - uptown, downtown, cross-town buses, and the 1,A,C,E,B,D,N subway lines.Guest Rooms Facilities Include Cable TV, Shared Bathrooms on each floor (some private facilities)Air-conditioning, Housekeeping - Clean Linens and Towels provided. Elevator BuildingAround the clock check-in 24 hour security Free WiFi in lobby area Safe Deposit boxes No Curfew
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Property amenities
Free internet
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Vending machine
24-hour security
Baggage storage
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Wifi
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Non-smoking hotel
Shared bathroom
Shared lounge / TV area
Room features
Air conditioning
Safe
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Residential Neighbourhood
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
5 West 63rd Street, New York City, NY 10023-7162
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
LaGuardia Airport
9.1 km•
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Teterboro Airport
11.2 km•
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59th St – Columbus Circle
4 min•New York City Subway
Rental Cars
112 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
1,651Review118Q+A100Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
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This is a hostel like hotel, so don't expect 5 stars, it works for what it is. I will recommend room(1347) to solo travellers, is away from the busy zone of washrooms and showers. However, you can still hear some door closing noise, it's almost inevitable.
The room is spacious and it has AC, a mini fridge and the view from the window is really unbeatable for the price. You can also access the pool if you want, it is included.
Yes the building is on the old side and sometimes on construction, but you will be outside for most part of the day, so, if you are looking in to being in the room for long hours, this might not be your option.
Also, note that there is a bakery, fruit shop and Restaurant on the west side of the street, opposite to the park. I wish I had found these before, but, oh well.
There is also a grocery store in the Columbus circle for you to grab some basic food if you are on a budget.
Like in any other place, keep your food closed and tide or bugs will come and eat it for you.
Line 1 (red) takes you to Columbus Circle stop which is 3 block away.
The Y is right where Central Park is, and the MOMA is walking distance (10 min)
Walk a little more and you can get to Times Square. I went there at night and the walk was enjoyable and safe (8pm)
Hope it helps.
The room is spacious and it has AC, a mini fridge and the view from the window is really unbeatable for the price. You can also access the pool if you want, it is included.
Yes the building is on the old side and sometimes on construction, but you will be outside for most part of the day, so, if you are looking in to being in the room for long hours, this might not be your option.
Also, note that there is a bakery, fruit shop and Restaurant on the west side of the street, opposite to the park. I wish I had found these before, but, oh well.
There is also a grocery store in the Columbus circle for you to grab some basic food if you are on a budget.
Like in any other place, keep your food closed and tide or bugs will come and eat it for you.
Line 1 (red) takes you to Columbus Circle stop which is 3 block away.
The Y is right where Central Park is, and the MOMA is walking distance (10 min)
Walk a little more and you can get to Times Square. I went there at night and the walk was enjoyable and safe (8pm)
Hope it helps.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Room 1347 for solo travellers
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked a single room with one single bed. It comes with a desk and chair, open closet with safe, single bed and a TV. It has heat and AC and outlets in wall and also in the desk lamp. They do provide plastic cups and also soap. It is very simple. You have a shared bathroom at the end of the hallway. 3 toilet stalls and 3 shower stalls are available. Yes it can be busy so be smart with shower times. It is definitely over priced for a hostel, however you are located right at the entrance of Central Park (Columbus circle is 2 minutes walking distance and times square is about 20 minutes on foot). I felt it is a safe area and food trucks and Starbucks are a short wall away. Staff is helpful and friendly. If you arrive early you can store your luggage for 4 Dollar in a storage room. Wifi is available and vending machines are on every floor as well close by the gym
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The West Side YMCA is definitely a no frills place to stay, but the location is excellent. You're right next to Central Park and Columbus Circle. Times Square is an easy walk south. We stayed in 2 different rooms. The first had a bunk bed and was quite small, but the bed was comfy and the room was clean. It also had a small TV and fridge. We had a semi-private bathroom, which was down the hall. This meant we had to scan our key on one of the bathroom doors to get in, but once inside we had privacy while we got cleaned up. The bathrooms were kept clean and tidy. We were able to upgrade the second half of our stay to a room with a larger bed and an in room bathroom. Again, this hotel is no frills. It can be rough around the edges, but it's clean and comfortable at the end of a long day of sightseeing. We did not have time to take advantage of the gym, the pool, the sauna, and stuff like that, but they looked nice. I'd recommend the West Side YMCA. If you're visiting NYC, you should be out doing stuff, not sitting around the room. It was everything we needed it to be.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Try and at least get a room with a semi-private bathroom.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After we arrived at the YNCU west side hostel, it was clear to us, that our stay wouldn’t be pleasant. The bathroom that you have to share with the rest on the floor is dirty, full of hair and very small. At night, it would be best if you wore the most body-covering clothes you have as to not touch the bed sheets since you might get a rash. Also pay attention for little bugs or other things that could fall from the ceiling if you are sleeping in the top bunk bed.
The room looks like they stole the design from a prison and everywhere is hair and dirt.
The place also isn’t good for women. I would never go to the bathroom alone even if it’s just around the corner. The sometimes dimly lit hallways or weird men don’t make you feel safer.
The location might be very good and the price sure is affordable but it isn’t worth the nights you have to sleep with one eye open hoping that there aren’t any little roommates with six legs that came for free.
The room looks like they stole the design from a prison and everywhere is hair and dirt.
The place also isn’t good for women. I would never go to the bathroom alone even if it’s just around the corner. The sometimes dimly lit hallways or weird men don’t make you feel safer.
The location might be very good and the price sure is affordable but it isn’t worth the nights you have to sleep with one eye open hoping that there aren’t any little roommates with six legs that came for free.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed there for 7 nights. The bunk beds were loose, ready to fall apart. The door didn't have an inside lock, then they put one on, that I could open from the hallway? There is one bathroom for the whole large floor. The main pool was closed for repairs. The $10 a day fee was charged to me each day, though 2 of the 8 days, the ammenities were not operational for the holidays. The staff are big liars. They said an upgrade would cost me 250.00 more per night? The bed is soft and squeaky, and the comforter had a large whole right at the top for your face. No heat in winter. Cold.
-the only good was some kindness from the cleaner, and the cafe was alright.
-the only good was some kindness from the cleaner, and the cafe was alright.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from wsyguestrooms, G at West Side YMCA
Responded Jan 3, 2020
Thank you for your review. We are sorry you were unhappy and we thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. We will work to fix any issues that you mentioned
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The two things that were positive here is that I was able to have a private room (no bath) for under $150 in a great location near 59th and Columbus Circle. It's downhill from there. The halls are drab rows of doors that look more like a prison. The a/c did not work, but I was able to get that fixed. The bed was the old metal coil springs with paper thin sheets and a plastic hospital-style pillow. I was not able to stay for my last night in NYC, went for one night to HI Hostel on Amsterdam, which was far better. Yes, I was in a room with 7 other people, but it was way better overall.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am doubtful about their security - definitely the Japanese harassment was perfectly implemented in the way that they get more supports with less spend than victims paying the fee for deteriorated services only to serve the Japanese harassment groups. Else, it was fine. A YMCA facility. Something you can imagine for YMCA guest accommodations would be all set and ready to welcome you.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: room sizes vary.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just got back from my 3rd stay at the West Side YMCA. Staying here is a total trade off: price/location versus quality/comfort. You can't beat the location on the Upper West Side: close to Central Park and walking distance from Times Square and Broadway. The price is great for the location. BUT, what you're getting in value you're not getting in comfort and quality. The room we had last weekend was small (they're all small - some uncomfortably so). The full size bed took up most of the room & you had to literally squeeze past to get into the bathroom. The bed itself was hard and the pillow were not great (they were plastic). The A/C was loud. The shower did not drain well (though the water was hot and the pressure was good). The bathroom itself was clean. You get a fridge, but the TV didn't get any reception (not that you're in NYC to watch TV). The room was not dirty, but it was dingy - like no matter how much they clean, it's never getting truly clean. If you're visiting NYC, you're not spending much time in your room (at least you shouldn't be), but you do want somewhere comfy to come back to at night. You want to get a good night's sleep before heading back out the next day. You want to be able to take a nice shower to relax and rinse off. The West Side YMCA is hit and miss on those things. This was the worst room we've had and it did impact our trip somewhat. It wasn't great not sleeping well because the bed was so crummy, but it didn't at all ruin our trip. If you're willing to take a chance - this could be your place. Like I said, location is GREAT, but be realistic about your expectations.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Try and get a room with a PRIVATE bathroom, otherwise you're sharing with the entire floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very good for the price. If you just want somewhere clean and comfy for a decent price, then you found the right place. If you’re kind of cool with sharing bathroom but still a bit reluctant, then I recommend the deluxe room, then you can lock the door and they are very clean and fresh. Friendly staff and secure.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kevin Marin, Owner at West Side YMCA
Responded Mar 3, 2020
Thank you for choosing the West Side YMCA!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed here during the christmas period so my spirits were relatively high as it was the festive period. However after my stay here, my festive spirit was burned alive. The location is not as ideal as people think, I travelled with friends and found most of the fun activities were closer to times square where a range of other budget hotels are located. The bathroom situation is genuinely dangerous, I feared for
my safety when showering as the glass is simply transparent. As a 6’2 male who has trained MMA for the past few years I felt somewhat at ease but I feared for my female friends and this was not a private shower at all. I value cleanliness, as everyone should, this hostel unfortunately does not. Crockroaches, bugs and questionable stains were present in both of our rooms. We were attracted to this hostel by the price, looking back I wished we spent the extra for somewhere safer and cleaner as our entire trip would have felt more relaxed.
my safety when showering as the glass is simply transparent. As a 6’2 male who has trained MMA for the past few years I felt somewhat at ease but I feared for my female friends and this was not a private shower at all. I value cleanliness, as everyone should, this hostel unfortunately does not. Crockroaches, bugs and questionable stains were present in both of our rooms. We were attracted to this hostel by the price, looking back I wished we spent the extra for somewhere safer and cleaner as our entire trip would have felt more relaxed.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Deborah,
I think they have rooms with bunk beds in them. I suggest you contact the hostel to confirm you have a room on your own.
I had a great stay there last year. It's a good location for getting around NYC.
Hope you have a great stay.
Richard
Yes, they do 24/7 check-in, so unlikely you will have problems. Though there may be only one person on the reception and sometimes he may be away. So be insisted, usually there is security in the lobb. If they sleep or don't see or hear you, just knock loudly at the door. 1am is totally not a problem I saw a lot of arriving people at 1am at the entrance.
Hi Oscar,
A standard US/Canadian socket was fine for the room I stayed in. I was there in October 2023.
Hope this helps,
Richard
I would say the rooms are reasonably sound-proof. I didn't hear the street noise because I was staying on the 8th floor, but I wasn't hearing the neighbors either.
You would meet another problem in West Side: the heating tube make heat excessively and are impossible to be adjusted, so you will end up in some sort of sauna.
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"Get the subway to Columbus circle, walk a few blocks north and YMCA is on your left"Read full review
"Towels are small. Bring pyjamas. Long walk to the WCs and you don't want to change if you sleep in underwear / nude. "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
C$147 - C$209 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
west side ymca hotel new york city, ymca new york, new york city ymca, ymca west side new york, ymca nyc
LOCATION
United StatesNew YorkNew York CityLincoln Square
NUMBER OF ROOMS
381
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about West Side YMCA
Which popular attractions are close to West Side YMCA?
Nearby attractions include Big Apple Jazz Tours (0.5 km), The Metropolitan Opera (0.3 km), and Jazz at Lincoln Center (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at West Side YMCA?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, a fitness centre, and free internet access.
What are some restaurants close to West Side YMCA?
Conveniently located restaurants include Per Se, Whole Foods Market, and Jean Georges.
Are there opportunities to exercise at West Side YMCA?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at West Side YMCA?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to West Side YMCA?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum (7.1 km), World Trade Center Memorial Foundation (7.1 km), and Hamilton Park (3.2 km).