I believe that it s necessary for me to contribute to this page so that a fair asessment is taken into consideration by others who are looking for somewhere to stay while in NY city. I saw all the negative reviews and comments about how filthy the place was and felt quite disturbed since I had already committed myself and a group of fifteen (15) to staying there. Needless to say I went with a very heavy spirit but left quite pleased and this was a view shared by my entire group. This place is not crappy as some people have stated. It has some challenges e.g. the carpets are old and do leave a strange scent about the place but it is not offensive. Bed bugs, what bedbugs?? I looked hard and made sure to take precaution but never had any to deal with over the six days i spent there. Bathrooms - these were cleaned very often by the staff but it was the residents that made it filthy and occasionally smelly. Don't blame the staff for this. It was a bit, to go so far for the bathrooms and being a West Indian doing a communal bathroom was not my ideal but it was cleaned often and that made it bearable. Service - I found the staff to be very helpful and accomodating to your needs. If you deal with them respectfully they will be very courteous and helpful. Be a grouch, well enough said. Location - the community was very friendly and having the bus stops right on the corner made travelling so convenient. Would I return - certainly and this was the mutual agreement of my team, all fifteen (15) of us. Thank you Emma and all your staff for making my trip so good.

you can stay in a small but perfectly adequate single room with shared bathrooms, for half the cost as the uptown manhattan y. the staff here are great, all of the gym facilities, plus you're in the great polish/hipster neighbourhood of greenpoint, 15 minute walk to bedford L station smack in the middle of wburg (and then 10 minute train to union square).
why stay in a 12 bed dorm in chelsea for the same price? no thanks.

Wouldn't recommend this hostel at all. The furnishing was very old and the rooms were not clean at all. Not to mention the very dirty bathrooms. Nevertheless the staff was very nice and helpful, which unfortunately can't make up for the bad state of the rooms.Had to stay there one night because it was already too late to get from JFK to Manhattan. Never again.

i arrived from a very important meeting. i had many documents in my briefcase. i put the briefcase down on the "bed" (actually was a pile of garbage bags with a sheet over it) and went to use the "bathroom" down the hall. the bathroom was covered with bedbugs and i could hardly loosen my bolo before i was swarmed with roaches. i walked to the desk to complain but the man at the desk said "no polish" then gave me the finger.
not worth the 35 cents and skymiles on my AMEX!