International Student Center Reviews

Even though they kick you out of the rooms for 4 hours, it's worth it to see how clean they keep the hostel. The staff was so helpful and nice, always smiling. The lounge downstairs is really cool and I was able to make friends with several other guests. The building itself could use some touch-ups, but it's antiquity is charming.

My favorite hostel in NYC. I've stayed here 3 times. The girl's only top floor is the best, bathrooms are big and clean, but wake up early so you don't have to wait to shower. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Safe and quiet area near Central Park, the subways are a quick walk down the block and within minutes you're downtown. Nice kitchen and lounge area in the basement. I've stayed at a few other places in New York, and this one is definitely the most comfortable.

THE very best hostel that I've stayed at in NYC, not only for the unbeatable price, but for the best hostel staff that I've ever encountered in my travels worldwide. They are warm, welcoming, kind, interesting, and full of character - Just ask Caroline to take you on a tour of central park! Not that you have to travel very far to sight see, as there is so much to do right around every corner of the hostel in its prime UWS location. Who needs wifi in the city anyway - best hostel no question.

bad: Check in until 11pm. NO WiFi! good: The bathroom was quite decent for a hostel. Close to subway and next to central park. pretty cheap for this location.

I read the review and policy before the book. It seem ridiculous that they want to clear out the dorm during 11am to 3pm, but i was traveling during that time, so it never border me. After i reached there and took a look on the stairs, i graceful that i can leave my bags @ the check in desk. i refuse to carry those baggage to 4th floor, even if they let me! Location is good! Bathroom is clean, staff is polite & helpful! The only bad side is they dun have WiFi.

I have traveled to a bunch of different countries and stayed in various hostels. Location was great if you use the metro and location is in decent area. However, the staff is not competent. First time I have every had a big issue with the staff. Double booked the bed I was staying in and knew about it, but did absolutely nothing about it. So when we arrived back later that evening I had nowhere to sleep and got no refund. Appartently it is pretty common happening and staff does not care.

The hostel is located just perfectly, next to Central park. This is actually the best thing, because the rest is just okay. One annoying this is that the law forbids you to bring your suitcase to your room, so when you want something, you will need to go down to reception (which closes at 11pm). The internet is not free, but it's a very reasonable price (one dollar for every 10 minutes). Overall it was good, I would go back just because it was worth that little money for sure!

we had to store our luggage in the basement! If you want to store your luggage after checking out they charge you 1 $ each hour!

Well located, easy access to all Manhattan. only two drawbacks to stress: old furnitures that are a bit noisy when we move and not very comfurtable and no free wifi...

The place is in a great location, with easy access to 2 different subway stations, less than one block away from Central Park, very close to starbucks, cvs, duane reade, and many other shops. Beds are good, bathrooms are clean. The only downside is that they don´t have wifi and you can't take your luggage upstairs, but everything worked out pretty well and I had a great stay.

The staff was ok. They don't have lockers for the luggage. Locations is great!!! Good cost benefit...

Sarah is actually the best!!!!!! The cold and hot water tap are reversed in the girl's shower. Took me a while to figure it out but I got there :)

Not bad for a NYC hostel. The location can't be beat, on the UWS and close to subways, food, and things to do. There are no lockers and the doors to the individual rooms don't lock. As other reviewers point out, you have to store luggage down in the reception area, but I didn't mind as I was just taking a weekend away. My only complaint are that there are only two public bathrooms/showers on the fourth floor.

Excellent location, other boarders were very nice. Facilities needed paint, mattress covers were torn open (gross), 2nd floor bathroom had no proper ventilation, stairs to second floor posed a severe tripping hazard, but basement kitchen and hangout room were always clean. Staff was rude and condescending 24/7, and said awful things about select boarders while they were not in the room. Would not recommend this hostel overall to any non-English fluent international student without thick skin.

This hostel, has a lot of stairs, you have to leave your luggage downstairs which is good, but then its a little bit of pain when you need to get stuff out, or repack your case. The center does not have wifi, and there is only one computer, there is not a printer either. The center is not really cut out for the traveller/backpacker, but the staff are really helpful and friendly.

Good value for money, and security in and out of the hostel is reasonable. MUST NOTE that your main luggage is kept downstairs in the office and you can only access it from 8am to 11pm and their is very few lockersand they are quite small. Over all though our stay was quite pleasant once we got used to the luggage situation. It is an old building though so facilities are maintained but not great. I would stay here again though, staff were great once you warmed up to each other:)

It's a very comfortable hostel located just in a walking distance from 2 of the greatest museums in the world. The Museum of Natural History and the MET.

The people at ISC seem to take the youth part of youth hostel too seriously with asinine rules and condescending posters everywhere. The showers are barely usable either. The staff are very helpful though, so silver linings everywhere I guess.

Definittly not a good option if you are travel to NY. The prize, if you compare to other Manhattan Hostels, is ok. The problem is they have extrange policies for a hostel. I´ve been in hostels in many cities and never find this kind of policies. The dont let you get to your room you lauguage and they dont give you the option to select the bed on your own, just to give a couple of examples. Furthermore, in this moment of the world, its just ridiculous not having wi fi in a hostel.

Hostel's location is great. Staff are helpful and friendly when on duty, but out of hours (as they live there), they seem to be quite abrupt. No Wifi is just absurd, however it is a great excuse to take your laptop down to starbucks for breakfast and networking. I would definitely stay here again.