# Help! Ultra cheap places to stay in NYC! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 22, 2004, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620 "2004-06-22T13:28:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/1 "2004-06-22T13:28:40Z")
I’m heading to New York (solo) for a Broadway pilgrimage, as in three or four shows in three days. I know about the cheap hotels like the Wolcott and such, but I’d like something even cheaper. Has anyone actually stayed at any of the hostels, and can recommend some? (Were I going with **jeremy evil** , we’d obviously be getting a hotel, but since it’s just me, I don’t really care: I just want a bed to sleep in for a couple of nights, and a place to shower, etc.) When they say they give you a locker, does that mean it’s right in your “bedroom” (dormitory, whatever), or at the front desk? Also, I might be out late one or both nights I’m there, so it would have to be a place with no “curfew”. I’d be arriving at Port Authority early in the morning of July 9 (Friday) and leaving around midnight of July 11 (Sunday). (I’d no doubt have to check out much earlier than that, but I’d still want to catch a Sunday matinee if I can.) (Now, of course, if a generous and friendly NYC Doper wouldn’t mind putting me up, that would save me a lot of hassle… hint. I’d be out most of the time, coming back to pretty myself up before going to see a show, and as I said, out late at least one of the two nights. **Eonwe** , **Maeglin** , and **Cerowyn** can attest that I’m an excellent houseguest.) 😉 If anyone replies, “It’s fun to stay at the YMCA” I’ll smack ya, even though the Y is a possibility. _::sigh::_ ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/2 "2004-06-22T13:41:30Z")
I have many friends who have stayed at the Aladdin Hostel in NYC. Info: > [@](#): > > Aladdin Hotel and Hostel 317 West 45th Street, New York City, NY 10036 > Tel: (212) 246-8580 - Fax: (212) 246-6036 - Email: [aladdinhot@aol.com](mailto:aladdinhot@aol.com) > The colorful Aladdin hotel offers an extremely good value in the heart of the Theater District/Times Square Area of Manhattan. Located on 45th Street just off 8th Avenue and across from the Martin Beck Theater. The Aladdin hotel is recommended as a budget hotel and an up-market hostel. > Price: $20 -$85 per night. Link [here](http://gonyc.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nychotels.com%2Faladdin.html) However, I have not stayed there, but my friends all thought it was a good deal and enjoyed themselves. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/3 "2004-06-22T15:30:49Z")
Yeah… I’m noticing that it’s a _very_ good idea to check the comments people have left on impartial sites (like [expedia.com](http://expedia.com)). “Not nearly like the pictures!” “Cockroach-infested!” If someone who’s actually stayed at a decent place can chime in, that would be very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/4 "2004-06-22T15:36:27Z")
I once stayed in a hostel in NY that was clean and friendly and, I think, $24 per night for a shared dorm room with breakfast included. Only issue, if it is an issue, was that it was way up on 101st and Amsterdam. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/5 "2004-06-22T15:43:01Z")
> [@Aro](#): > > I once stayed in a hostel in NY that was clean and friendly and, I think, $24 per night for a shared dorm room with breakfast included. > > Only issue, if it is an issue, was that it was way up on 101st and Amsterdam. What about the bathrooms, were they clean, crowded, what? ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/6 "2004-06-22T15:56:06Z")
I think the bathrooms / showers were set up like ensuites off each room - so each shower room was specific to the six or so people staying in the dorms. This would leave the state of them in the hands of whoever you are lucky / unlucky enough to be sharing with. But I can’t remember ever thinking it was untidy or dirty at any stage. My stay there was now a couple of years ago though, so perhaps things have changes and my info will be out of date. You could also try asking the same question on the [Thorn Tree](http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/) on Lonely Planet’s site as they are usually well up on what is the cheapest and best place for accommodation pretty much anywhere. Yeah, I know - not much help! I can’t even remember the name of the place! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/7 "2004-06-22T16:02:07Z")
I’ll be glad to stick my nose into any of them you’re curious about and report back on what they look like. (Don’t currently have a diggy camera in working order so no pix). For “ultra cheap”: remember that New York doesn’t equal Manhattan. The outer boroughs will generally have cheaper temp crashpads, and as long as you’re in subway reach that’s not too inconvenient a solution. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/8 "2004-06-22T16:06:03Z")
I haven’t stayed in an NY hostel, but I stayed in a Hostelling International in DC, and fellow-travellers said that that chain’s hostels were pretty much the same wherever you go. It was decent- not unlike a college dorm. If you don’t mind sharing a room with strangers, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than a hotel. I actually enjoyed it, and I’m planning to try the one in NY when I go on my opera spree. You can get pictures and reviews of places in the city at [hostels.com](http://www.hostels.com). I also found a book at my public library that had hostel reviews organized by city- I think it was called “Hostels USA.” ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/9 "2004-06-22T20:04:47Z")
Yeah, [hostels.com](http://hostels.com) has great listings. And like I said, I can get actual reviews from actual people on sites like [expedia.com](http://expedia.com). I really don’t mind simple digs; I’ll be out most of the time anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/10 "2004-06-22T20:08:59Z")
Another possibility is to check out local colleges. Some have student housing available for rent during the summer months. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/11 "2004-06-22T20:11:58Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Another possibility is to check out local colleges. Some have student housing available for rent during the summer months. Yeah, if someone has a direct link, that would be excellent. Typing “NYU [or Columbia] student residence dormitory summer tourist bla bla bla” into Google yields far too much crap than I’m willing to wade through. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/12 "2004-06-22T20:59:20Z")
You might want to check out Northern New Jersey hotels. They are cheaper, and most are located near NYC Bus Routes. Englewood has a Marriott and Fort Lee has a Holiday Inn, both near the Route 4 buses. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/13 "2004-06-22T21:05:55Z")
This just popped in for a similar question on Talking Broadway’s All That Chat forum: [http://www.bigapplehostel.com/](http://www.bigapplehostel.com/) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/14 "2004-06-22T21:07:04Z")
I have checked out the “cheap” hotels in NYC…none of them appeal to me. Is it possible to stay in Stamford CT, and take he commuter rail in to Manhattan? Does the train run on weekends? This would be ideal! It is only about 45 minutes to Penn Station from Stamford. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/15 "2004-06-22T21:21:17Z")
> [@Aro](#): > > I think the bathrooms / showers were set up like ensuites off each room - so each shower room was specific to the six or so people staying in the dorms. This would leave the state of them in the hands of whoever you are lucky / unlucky enough to be sharing with. But I can’t remember ever thinking it was untidy or dirty at any stage. Is it like a regular bathroom that you’d find in a home, just that you go in when it’s free, have your shower, etc., and everyone has to wait? Or is it more like a college dorm bathroom with toilet stalls, and either shower stalls or gang showers? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/16 "2004-06-22T21:38:53Z")
Can’t you just pick up some cute boy and crash at his place? What shows are you seeing? ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/17 "2004-06-23T01:19:57Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Can’t you just pick up some cute boy and crash at his place? Well, where would I get pretty beforehand? And I don’t know if I can handle the attitude of NYC clubs. > [@Otto](#): > > What shows are you seeing? Since I’ll never be able to get a ticket to Wicked or Avenue Q (unless I do lotteries, but that rules out what I’m about to write), it’ll be TKTS all the way. I’m going to the TKTS booth at the South Street Seaport, because I can get Friday evening and Saturday matinee tickets on Friday (so I don’t waste Saturday afternoon in line for a matinee ticket). I’ll go back Saturday morning for a Saturday evening show and possibly a Sunday matinee. I might see The Producers just to see it, and if Hugh-O-Mania is over, I’d like to see Boy From Oz. (Ticket sales went up after the Tonys.) I might also check out some off-Broadway shows, such as Naked Boys Singing. The point of the pilgrimage is to just see shows, not necessarily _certain_ shows. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/18 "2004-06-23T03:48:20Z")
Didn’t Naked Boys Singing move on or something? The venue where it used to be is now showing The Marijuanalogs if I’m not mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/19 "2004-06-23T05:08:15Z")
> [@scottevil](#): > > Well, where would I get pretty beforehand? Grand Central men’s room? According to the [website](http://www.nakedboyssinging.com/home.html) Naked Boys Singing is playing at Theatre 4 on West 55th. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620/20 "2004-06-23T07:05:33Z")
This has turned into an amusing little thread about travel and hostels and Broadway and bathrooms and naked boys singing and such. (All are fine with me.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-ultra-cheap-places-to-stay-in-nyc/251620.md?page=2)