Manhattan Bowery Lodge

The location and price were both great, and I’d absolutely stay here again. There was water for refilling bottles, a shared fridge, and shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the private bathroom. The place could use a thorough cleaning, especially the dust bunnies in the corners. Also, getting to the “lobby” means climbing a bunch of stairs.

If saving money is the goal, this is the best deal in NYC. It’s well located for public transport and great food, and the employees are friendly and helpful. Some bad reviews seem to come from people who don’t understand cultural differences, language barriers, or what staying in a hostel involves. The rooms are small, but they’re fine if all you need is somewhere to rest. There are plenty of bathrooms, so I never had to wait. I’m a light sleeper, but I brought earplugs and slept fine. There’s a communal fridge too.

Walking to the Brooklyn Bridge and Wall Street was easy, and the subway was close by. It was very affordable and suited a short stay well. Our only real struggle was hauling luggage up the stairs, especially after a VERY long day of walking.

Staff were friendly and helpful, and we seldom had to wait for a shower because there were enough bathrooms. Fresh towels were always available, and they even supplied slippers or flip-flops. There was free coffee, plus a kettle and microwave guests could use. For a couple in Manhattan, this was literally the cheapest place we found when booking. The rooms are small and have no windows, and there’s some noise, but turning on the fan, which you’ll probably want anyway, made most of it fade into the background. I think some reviews are a bit harsh. It’s basic, but good value for the price and location, with the subway handy for getting around Manhattan and Brooklyn.