New York

Okay, do not even think of coming here unless your alternative would be a cardboard box on the street, and even then it would be a hard choice. This has to be the worst hotel in New York. I cannot strongly emphasize this enough that this place is the biggest dump ever!

The website is a joke, and the pictures it shows are nothing like the hotel really is. For starters, the corridors stunk of urine, and I mean stunk! There is no en-suite bathroom in rooms, which is fair enough for the price, but there is only one toilet and shower for both males and females for the entire floor. There are about 30 rooms on a floor, and to only have one shower and toilet in the same room is just shameful. The shower is disgusting; there were patches of rust on it, as well as other marks; and the toilet would not flush. There is no paint or wallpaper on the walls, just the leftover, crumbling plaster. The small rooms have no a/c, not even a fan, and in the New York summer heat, the small room acted like an oven.

What made matters worse was that when we went down to try and get a refund for the rest of the days we booked, there were two homeless people in the reception area who would not move. The receptionist had to call the police, who eventually came and turned them out. All the people we spoke too said what a dump it was and a disgrace since the website was just too misleading. There is not one good thing to say about this place, and I would like to warn any traveller who is even thinking about it. Yes, the rooms were cheap, and the only reason we chose it was because all other places were booked up and it looked alright on the website.

After going ballistic on the manager, we were refunded our money and just stayed the one night. We eventually found somewhere else in Chelsea, obviously more expensive, but we would have paid anything to leave there.

On the day we were leaving, we had to drag our luggage down the six flights of stairs (it is a six-storey building) since the lift did not work (no surprise there), and unfortunately, quite a few people were checking in, mostly all European. We really felt for them as soon as we saw their faces worrying about what was awaiting them.

I do not know how this hotel is still allowed to run considering all the renovations that are desperately needed. It was like a nightmare!

When we first arrived here and the taxi pulled up, we thought this place would be awful. The street that it is on is certainly not the best in the world, as there were lots of homeless and random people just sitting on steps and the street did not look that safe. However, appearances can be deceptive. We booked a private en-suite room for $99 a night, including tax a (bargain). There is no lift and we were on the fifth floor, so that was a bit of a downer. However, the room was really quite modern, with wooden floors, proper A/C, cable TV, and a new shower. The bed was a bit small, but for that price and what we got, it didn't matter. The private rooms, which they call studio apartments on their website, are grouped on the same floor. Security was good; you first got a key to open that part of the floor where the studios were and then, of course, a key for your room. There is no curfew, and reception is open 24 hours a day. There are also lockers available if needed - just don't forget your padlock.

I really can't complain about the room, as it was a great value. There is Internet available on the bottom floor (three computers); $2 got you 20 minutes. There is also a lounge room with a TV, pool table, and kitchen. There are no laundry facilities, however. The hostel itself, which is right opposite Central Park (don't get excited; you don't get any view from your window) is right next to a subway station, literally a 30-second walk, which was hugely convenient. They also have storage facilities for your baggage; if you want them stored overnight, it costs $5 a day.

All in all, the street may not have been that good and it wasn't in the best area, but the room was modern and very clean (with housekeeping everyday) and it’s next to a subway. If you are on a budget, then I really recommend this hostel.