Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel

I was satisfied with my stay and knew what I was booking, so nothing came as a surprise. The room was decent, with central heating and its own thermostat, so you can set the temperature. The thin blanket and sheet looked washed, though I found some long hairs on them. The metal bunk beds were okay, but some creaked more than others whenever we turned over. Lockers are available in each room for luggage, but there's no lock. Power outlets are beside the lower bunks, not the upper ones, so people in the top bunks need a long cable or to charge devices on the floor. Bring your own toiletries other than hand wash, and a towel too. The entrance is hard to spot because there's no sign, though I managed to find it. The free breakfast on the third floor is bagels, coffee, jam, and butter, and guests can use the kitchen. Central Park is about a 15-minute walk away, as is Times Square; Rockefeller Center takes around 12-15 minutes on foot.

Wouldn't recommend this place. The rooms and bathrooms were dirty, and a hole in the wall had been stuffed with towels instead of properly repaired. There weren't any tables in the room, the light didn't work right, the microwave was broken, and the plugs seemed dodgy. Breakfast bagels ran short. The shower pressure was weak, and there wasn't a real lobby. Even with the windows shut, you could hear everything outside. It was also very cold by the window, especially if you slept beside it. In winter they only provide very thin blankets, and a six-bed room had just four lockers.

The location is fantastic, though the tiny, unsigned entrance makes the hostel a little hard to find at first. I might come back, but only if the rates were lower than nearby hostels. It came close to being a really good place: the rooms were cozy and cute, and the facilities had plenty of potential. But there weren't enough outlets, which made charging devices a hassle. Both showers I used were quite cold, so there may be a hot water issue. That's not a great feeling before heading out into January weather.

The room wasn't very clean, and I thought the price was high for what you get. I also didn't like being charged $5 per bag to leave my luggage in their storage room for a couple of hours. Everywhere else I've been, that service has usually been free. The location is excellent, on a major street right by Central Park, with lots of restaurants and public transit connections.