New York Spirit Retreats Hostel

The room was clean and tidy, with plenty of natural light and a simple, comfortable layout. The bedding was soft, and the bathroom was dry and odor-free, with all the necessary amenities that were easy to use. The location was quiet, and the soundproofing was decent, so my rest wasn't disturbed. Service was prompt, and it offered good value for money. The only minor drawback was that the space was a bit compact, and some details could be further optimized. Overall, my stay was comfortable, and the location was convenient for getting around. I'd recommend it.

This hotel is located in Midtown on 8th Avenue, not far from Penn Station, making it very convenient for transportation. It's an old building with no elevator. The hotel is on the top floor, so you'll need to climb 59 steps to reach the front desk. The staff are helpful and will even assist you with carrying luggage upstairs. The rooms are small, partitioned off from a larger open-plan space, about three square meters each. Your suitcase can only fit under the bed. The top of the room is open for ventilation, which means there's almost no soundproofing. It's a bit like Hong Kong's 'cage homes' – if one person talks, almost everyone in the other rooms can hear it. Because of this, the hotel repeatedly emphasizes maintaining quiet. They provide free drinking water, and there's a microwave and refrigerator available for use. Breakfast includes milk, bread, butter, coffee, juice, cake, cereal, fruit, and soy milk. The hotel's background seems to be Nepalese Hinduism, as they emphasize vegetarianism. No meat products are allowed into the hotel, not even eggs.

This hotel offers incredibly easy access to John F. Kennedy Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, as it's just a 5-minute walk from Penn Station. Be aware that you'll need to climb stairs to reach the 4th and 5th floors. The staff are very attentive and polite. While the private rooms are small, the price point for New York City makes it a great value. Everything is well-maintained and clean. They are very considerate about noise and snoring; during my stay, it was exceptionally quiet, and I was able to rest peacefully (earplugs were provided in the room, though I didn't need them). For breakfast, there's a generous spread of various breads, fruits, muffins, drinks, and more. There isn't much public space. They do store luggage, but the management of it felt a bit concerning – it was left in the hallway, almost as if anyone could just pick it up. The hotel has a strong Indian vibe.

The absolute best thing about this hostel is its location. It's incredibly convenient to get to Penn Station right after arriving from the airport, which I really liked. Plus, they offer free breakfast. There are shared facilities like a fridge and microwave, and breakfast includes milk, cereal, bagels, bread, and simple fruit and drinks. For the price, it's pretty good. The downsides are exactly what other reviews have mentioned. It's an old building with no elevator, and the hostel is on the top floor. You have to carry your luggage up the stairs yourself. The room size is acceptable, but the soundproofing is a real issue. If you're next to someone who snores, you'll want to cry because the top is open, so there's really no sound insulation. My roommate's snoring this time was ridiculously loud; the sound just cut through the entire space. Another thing is the cleanliness of the bathroom and shower. It could definitely use improvement, especially at night, they need to step up the cleaning. Honestly though, I can accept all of this. For this price in a city like New York where space is so precious, this kind of environment is acceptable.

The location is super convenient for getting around NYC, and it's within walking distance to Penn Station. The hostel is on the fourth floor, and there's no elevator, so you'll be using the stairs. New York meals can be quite filling, so I really appreciated having fresh fruit for breakfast. For the showers, it's a good idea to bring your own flip-flops. The staff were very kind and helpful, and luggage storage was a breeze.

Great location, just a 6-minute walk from Penn Station.