HI New York City Hostel, More Than Just an Accommodation

by John Marx Velasco · November 27, 2018

A dream destination to many, New York is notorious for being an expensive city to travel. I won’t deny it. But I must say there are also ways on how to save while traveling to this place. One is choosing the right accommodation. A decent hotel in New York could cost around $150 per night. If you’re going to stay for a week, you’ll end up paying around $1,050. That’s a lot already, especially for a traveler from a third world country like me. So if you’re on a budget and don’t mind staying in a dorm room and would just like a comfortable bed to sleep on, I suggest staying in a hostel. This is the most practical way to save money when travelling. And more than just an accommodation, staying in a hostel can also give you the best travel experience. Just like what my friend and I had when we stayed at HI New York City Hostel.

HI New York City Hostel

Staying at HI New York City Hostel

HI New York City Hostel is part of Hostelling International, which is a group of more than 70 National Youth Hostel Associations located in more than 80 countries. The first time that we stayed in a Hostelling International property was during our trip in Washington DC. We had a pleasant stay experience so when we went to New York, we decided to make HI New York City Hostel our accommodation. The hostel is also one of the most highly recommended in the city. With rates starting from $40, it offers clean and comfortable accommodation. The hostel also organizes events, free tours and provides access to amazing facilities.

marxtermind at HI New York City Hostel

HI New York City Hostel is also in a strategic location giving us access to several tourist spots in the city. Subway is also just minutes away. Restaurants and shops are also nearby. Staying for 5 days in this hostel, we found this place perfect for us because it has a great location from everything we wanted to see and do in the city.

Room

Housed in a Victorian-style property, HI New York City Hostel offers dorm rooms in different types. There’s Standard, Premium, Deluxe Premium, Plus Economy dorm rooms with 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 beds. These rooms are also categorized into female dorm, male dorm or co-ed.

HI New York City Hostel Coed Dorm Premium 6 Bed

My friend and I stayed in a premium co-ed dorm room with 4 bunk beds. When we checked in, we were the first one who occupied the room. It was surprisingly clean, fresh and looks very new. The interior is plain and simple. But I like that it has enough space for our huge pieces of luggage. Each bed is also provided with blanket and towel. Lockers are also available inside the room. However, do note that you have to bring your own padlock. The room also has a heating facility.

HI New York City Hostel Coed Dorm Premium Our Beds at HI New York City Hostel

The room exceeded my expectation. It was an excellent choice. The room was clean. The was comfy. It was nice in general. My friend and I had a pleasant stay experience. When I go back to New York, I will definitely stay in this hostel again.

Facilities

HI New York City Hostel Reception Area HI New York City Hostel Tours and Events Corner

HI New York City Hostel also features a number of wonderful facilities for guests to enjoy. On the ground floor, the hotel has a front desk, travel desk and a reception area. The hostel also has common lounges, dining room and a fully equipped shared kitchen. A small café is also available. This is where we also availed our free breakfast. The café serves bagel, doughnut, pastries or sandwich that comes with free coffee and a fruit. Our favorite was the cream cheese bagel!

Cafe at HI New York City Hostel

Other facilities that guests can have access to in HI New York City Hostel are the pool table, TV and theater room and private outdoor patio. The hostel also has coin-operated laundry facilities. There are also shared toilet and shower rooms available in each floor. The hostel also provides complimentary high speed Wi-Fi connection. But what I love the most among the facilities that HI New York City Hostel offers, is the free daily tours and activities. My friend and I were able to join some of those and we absolutely enjoyed them. We joined the Lower East Side Tour on our fourth day staying in the hostel and went Pub Crawling on our last night in the city.

HI New York City Hostel Hallway HI New York City Hostel Fully Equipped Kitchen HI New York City Hostel Locker Area

Lower East Side Tour with HI New York City Hostel

The tour is about the history of immigration in the diverse neighborhood of Manhattan. It’s a half-day tour that started around 10:00 AM. With a tour guide from the hostel, we roamed around the lower east side of the island visiting some notable neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Little Italy. We also dropped by some museums and government offices. Our group also explored the streets and visited some significant landmarks. During the tour, our guide also took time to share important information about immigration.

Lower East Side Tour with HI NYC Hostel

Aside from showing us the historic places around the Lower East Side, our guide also brought us to some dining places and famous film location. We went to a great dumpling house in Chinatown, where we had our lunch. We also visited Katz’s Delicatessen, which is the location of the famous restaurant scene in the movie, When Harry Met Sally.

United States Court House NYC Chinatown NYC Lunch at Vanessa's Dumplings in Chinatown NYC Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum NYC Museum at Eldridge Street NYC Little Italy New York City

Pub Crawl with HangIn

We joined Pub Crawl with HangIn on our last night in the city. It started at 9:00 PM meeting all other joiners in one of the common lounges in the hostel. Unlike the other Pub Crawls that HI New York City Hostel has, this one has a fee for $15. It covers entrance, beer and late night pizza. During the Pub Crawl, our group will visit three bars. But before we set off, the host served cans of beer first. We remained in the hostel for an hour to meet and socialize with other participants.

Elal Joining the Pubcrawl with HI New York City Hostel

Experience Night Out in New York City

Around 10:00 PM, our group left the hostel and took the train to the West Village. The first bar that we went to is named as Beauty Bar. It’s a night club with DJs & dancing in a retro-salon setting. Literally, there’s an area when party goers can have manicure. We spent an hour. Afterwards, we went to The Step. This one was our favorite because it has a lively space playing modern and pop songs. Beers were also cheap, I must say. After the second bar, we went to La Caverna. It’s a cave-themed basement dance club. It was crowded when we went. We enjoyed this place as well because it has good music and dancing. Definitely, one of the party places to go in Manhattan.

Beauty Bar New York City The Step New York City Pub Crawl with HI NYC Hostel

The pub crawl lasted for 4 hours. But before we had ended the night, Ariel bought us some pizzas. Some still went on partying while others went back to the hostel. Ariel told us that he would be checking a bar for the first time so we joined him. But we didn’t stay longer anymore. After going to this bar, my friend and I decided to go back to the hostel as well.

It was a great party to have on our last night in New York City. And if I only knew that Pub Crawl would be this enjoyable, I would have joined all the organized night outs that HI New York City Hostel had. I definitely enjoyed the event. It was a fun and memorable last night in the city.

HI New York City Hostel Pub Crawl with Elal

With a convenient location, wonderful facilities and nice dorm rooms, HI New York City Hostel is certainly more than just an accommodation. It also offers daily tours and organized events so guests can learn more about the city and the local culture. The hostel is also a perfect place to meet fellow travelers. HI New York City is definitely the best choice while in the city where guests can have a fun and memorable hostel experience.