ExpertFlyer Hot Topics — Where the Rubber Meets the Runway
With the average daily rate for U.S. hotels expected to increase by 4.7% this year, and by another 5.3% in 2013, travelers are seeking substitutes to pricey properties, especially in top markets, like New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. Once regarded as unappealing, hostels are experiencing a renaissance — expanding and gaining popularity as an inexpensive alternative for budget-minded consumers. This month’s Hot Topic features a three-part series from budgetplaces.com, which will highlight terrific bargain hostels in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. We kickoff part one in New York City…
Bargain Hostels in New York City. The New York Moore Hostel (pictured)
Hostels are best for those seeking a clean bed to sleep in, centrally located digs to stay in and an atmosphere that encourages mingling between like-minded travelers. Such shared spaces include kitchens, lounge areas and even dormitory-style bedrooms at times. If you’re in the market for a hostel experience in the concrete jungle, budgetplaces.com has some interesting options for you:
Starting at $38 nightly, the Bowery’s Whitehouse Hotel of NY is a trendy hostel fusing ultra-low rates with an unbeatable location in downtown Manhattan. The hostel has 81 private single and twin rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning and heating, shared bathrooms and free bed linen and towels. The rooms are unique in that they have four walls for total intimacy and security, but feature open lattice-style ceilings. The hostel’s lobby lounge boasts a 42-inch TV with cable and free wireless internet access ideal for meeting gallivanters from around the globe.
Starting at $50 nightly and located just off Central Park West and steps from the infamous Lincoln Center, West Side YMCA Hostel allows guests to enjoy the beauty of Central Park, the energy of Times Square and world-famous cultural institutions including Carnegie Hall, the Juilliard School of Music, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art just to name a few. In addition to 24 hour reception, the hostel offers complimentary Wi-Fi, a holding office for luggage, on-site restaurant, free bed linens and towels and an in-room safety deposit box.
Starting at $39 nightly, NY Moore Hostel is situated in Brooklyn and accommodates guests in 16 spacious, bright and modern rooms. Dorm-style rooms are available which sleep up to 4 or 8 in double beds with partitioned cubicles, giving travelers a certain degree of privacy. This hostel has shared bathrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi, a 24 hour reception, free coffee and tea, complimentary towels and bed linens and luggage storage.
Budgetplaces.com offers a selection of more than 9,000 hand-selected hotels, hostels, apartments and bed and breakfasts in more than 1,500 destinations around the globe. Featured properties offer prices that average 40% less than the typical nightly rate in cities worldwide and the website holds a lowest rate guarantee for all featured properties.
New York City isn’t the only hostel hotspot, so be sure to read next week’s edition to learn about hostels in Chicago!
These are hotels NOT hostels. NYC has recently (May 2012) closed all but one Hostel – Hostelling International USA on Amsterdam & 103rd streets on the upper west side, successfully closing a loophole in the law that allowed SRO’s and residential owners to illegally run Hostels. They were unsafe tourist traps that gave little concern to one’s safety and comfort, and all attention to the almighty buck. Your homework was sloppy for running this article and not noticing the lack of Hostels in the city and still running with the word “Hostel” in your subject headline. I am embarrassed for you!
I was tossed-out of Columbus Circle Hostel in the middle of the night by the Police and Fire Dept. because the hostel I was in was illegal. I was told the owners and management knew they were operating illegaly but continued to do so despite the law. The were over crowded and did not have a way to get everyone out in case there was a fire. They were also overcrowded and the rooms were tight, nasty and dark. Since many other hostels were closed down, I had nowhere to go except a Hotel Room which cost me 209.00 per night. Many others had nowhere to go because they didn’t have the money, and the hostel on Amsterdam was booked solid for weeks in advance. Beware – this is NOT over until it’s OVER!