The Local - Hostel

Saray at the bar greeted us with a big smile. She’s beautiful and sweet. Louis, Mayra, and the cleaning ladies were so polite and helpful, always ready to answer questions. The reception girls were just as willing to help us get into the right rooms, and there was always a good morning or good evening. Everyone seemed happy and ready to make our stay a good one. Thank you for making me feel so loved. I’ll visit again soon! The vibe here is great, and it’s a place where you can feel safe and at home in NYC.

The kitchen was a real plus: full size, with two dishwashers and two refrigerators. The stove and microwave both worked well, and my food stayed fine in the shared fridge for two days. The rooftop view was great too. For the price, a four-bed room with its own bathroom and storage under the beds is nice. The room was worn and nowhere near a five-star hotel, but it’s not bad for a hostel, and you get a free drink after check-in. The place is a convenient distance from the subway. The E line gets you to lots of popular spots easily. The alley is a bit dark, but it didn’t feel dangerous to me, and I didn’t see anyone suspicious there during my three nights. Mornings were very loud, though. The loading trucks start early and keep going. They store luggage for free on check-in day. On checkout day it costs $2 per bag.

The rooms and the floors they’re on were musty. I’d suggest getting rid of the carpet, maybe keeping runners outside the bathrooms. At check-in, they should tell each guest which bunk is theirs, upper or lower. I came back at 4 a.m. after being out all night and someone was asleep in my bunk, having used my dirty towel too. It didn’t upset me much, but it was confusing to find. The service was good, and I appreciated having a desk open 24 hours. There’s a café on site for coffee in the morning and alcohol at night, plus a complimentary beer or wine with your stay. It was a great stay, although a bit pricey for a hostel. I’d stay again if I needed to.

The comedy events are great, but nobody locks up the kitchen door or guards that area. How cheap can a hotel be? And why isn’t there a speaker outside so people can enjoy a drink, have a laugh, and listen?