Jazz on The Park Hostel

This place was an absolute god send when we booked our stay last summer. My friend and I booked it about a week in advance for 3 nights, and it was only about $40 each per night, which seems very reasonable for Manhattan. The hostel is located on the upper west side, right next to central park. The surrounding area was also great and had lots of shops, laundromats and places to eat so we had everything we needed. It's in a gorgeous and upmarket part of the city which tourists would probably not normally get to visit, so it was great to see a nice residential area. Staying here will make you feel like a proper New Yorker! We also had our own private room with bunk-beds, which was actually cheaper than just paying for a bed in a larger dorm (I think this was $50 a night per person). The room was nice and clean, and so was the communal bathroom. Although it may seem far from Times Square etc I actually preferred this as it was a lovely place to return to late at night in a very attractive location. The subway ride there is fairly short and the stop is about a 5 minute walk from the hostel. The staff were friendly and helpful and it felt very safe. There is a bar and outdoor area, however my only complaint is that there is no laundry room, as this is often essential for travellers. There is a laundromat one block away though so it isn't too much of an issue. I would definitely recommend staying here regardless of your budget as it feels far more authentic than staying in Times Square. Will definitely return for my next visit.