NY Moore Hostel — Hotel in New York

So, my honest review would place the hostel at a 3+ star (or dot?) rate, in that I had a nice experience overall, on my first visit to NYC. There would be a few critical points which I wouldn't say ruined my stay but that it's worth sharing, though I guess are not unique to the place. I'll just try and be as exhaustive as possible.||(my one-week stay happened in early September, 2022 and I reckon the length - weather - area - baggage ratio fit this place well; I can't guarantee it's the ideal place for longer, colder stays)||AREA: While the street does look kind of sketchy and dirty (the street art is great, though!), I never ended up feeling unsafe, even walking alone (truth be told, I was never around after 8PM - too tired after my daily 15 mile walks!). The hostel's location is very good when it comes to transports, the closer subway stations being Morgan and Montrose on the L (Canarsie) line, from which you can get to Manhattan in just about 15 minutes (or more, if you take a walk across the much-recommended Williamsburg Bridge). A few other stations and lines are not that far away. |Williamsburg is a wide neighborhood, more diverse than you'd think, and nearby landmarks / clubs/ rooftops / restaurants are well documented on panels you'll find by the reception. By the way: take your time to explore Brooklyn! Even on your first visit to New York, I found the borough to be no less interesting than Manhattan, possibly even more so in a number of ways: Prospect Park, Coney Island and Park Slope are all in my NYC top 10. A renowned pizzeria is just a block away and there are bodegas and supermarkets at a walking distance. It's a nice chance to live among the locals, without being cut out from the city's hubs. 4/5 (not the most stunning visually, but interesting and in reach!)||PREMISES AND ROOM: I wouldn't say this is the cleanest hostel I've ever stayed in, but to be fair, not the dirtiest, either (but I've been very flexible, maybe to a fault). I was lucky to get along well with my roommates, and there haven't been issues in sharing what is a reasonably wide room. I've seen other reviews complaining about tinly lockers and I can't really disagree, but there is room underneath the beds to store a medium-small luggage and I didn't really see that as a problem; perhaps I'd advise otherwise had I had a bigger suitcase. Our window faced the inner yard so we didn't have noise problems. Instead, I wonder if letting loose cables just under the window is the safest option. |Bathroom was okay, one for four guests worked out just right. It's spacious, maybe a little cold but it was still summer and can't tell for sure. No windows, just a vent.|Just be warned that you have to walk a few steps at the entrance. My bad for not checking, but sadly, NYC is not the most accessible place for people with walking disabilities. If that's your case, I wouldn't necessarily advise this hostel which is structured on several levels and has quite an 'angular' plan. Unless of course you are well prepared on that note.|I had a good sleep in the beds, which I've learnt not to take for granted. 3/5||COMMON ROOMS AND FACILITIES: I enjoyed the common room, where it's really easy to make friends with other guests from all over the world. There are books, a few sockets, vintage furniture (maybe a little dusty?) and a TV complete with Netflix. While I have nice memories about the hall, I can't say likewise about the kitchen and the cafeteria (though I admit the free coffee fountain didn't disappoint me!), mainly because I found an out-of-order fridge and quite a dirty kitchen (this is not on the staff, but finding someone else's dirty dishes in the sink isn't my favourite way to start the day). |Let's just say that I'm quite reluctant to cook at a hostel in the first place, and that this hostel's kitchen didn't go to great lengths to change my mind. On a positive note, again, there are plenty of takeout / eating options all over the place, even at (New-York wise) affordable prices. |Speaking of, you can find soda machines in the common hall (yay!), but then again, they stole my dollar on a couple occasions. |There's a computer room in case you need it, just e-mail a file to the reception and they'll print it for you.|I didn't use the laundry room or other services, about which I can't tell. Instead I wonder why keeping a floor-to ceiling mirror in the common restroom, but I guess it's better than a carpet and that it was just... forgiveably awkward. 2.5/5||STAFF: The reception is open 24/7 just by the entrance, and there is always someone to assist you. There are several guys at different times of the day; some more talkative than others, but all efficient, helpful (when it comes to navigate the city, or the block, you can count on them!) and to-the-point. Mind that sudden change of hearts about the details of your accommodation can't be taken for granted by guests and won't be seen well. Bear in mind that the clientele comes from all over the world and that people come, go, and sleep at all times. According to where your room is, noise can be heard coming from the entrance, and is taken very seriously. Use the common rooms for chitchat and you'll be good :) 3.5/5 ||GUESTS: while it makes little sense to review a population that changes on a rolling basis, I had a lovely time meeting amazing new people from the US or elsewhere in the world. This place fits all ages, provided one's open-minded and not too fussy (20- to 40-something guests are most common, but older or younger guests are not rare). Troublesome guests are invited to leave as soon as they get caught / reported (from what I witnessed); also (again) don't thread lightly with jet lag issues, both for other guests and for yourself - it can all get trickier than it seems, and it's NOT just about adjusting actual bedtime. What seems to you a perfectly acceptable time to talk loud as you normally, unintentionally do is another guest's attempt to keep up with their sleep, and while this could or could not be annoying i other contexts, some rooms here are literally one step away from the hallway (and the reception). Not saying they'll kick you out on the spot but you don't want to be "that guest". All this could sound obvious, but hostels really are a mixed bag. This place is reasonably welcoming overall, but it's no "party hostel" - but then again, it's not like you're ever out of options to have fun...

So, my honest review would place the hostel at a 3+ star (or dot?) rate, in that I had a nice experience overall, on my first visit to NYC. There would be a few critical points which I wouldn't say ruined my stay but that it's worth sharing, though I guess are not unique to the place. I'll just try and be as exhaustive as possible.||(my one-week stay happened in early September, 2022 and I reckon the length - weather - area - baggage ratio fit this place well; I can't guarantee it's the ideal place for longer, colder stays)||AREA: While the street does look kind of sketchy and dirty (the street art is great, though!), I never ended up feeling unsafe, even walking alone (truth be told, I was never around after 8PM - too tired after my daily 15 mile walks!). The hostel's location is very good when it comes to transports, the closer subway stations being Morgan and Montrose on the L (Canarsie) line, from which you can get to Manhattan in just about 15 minutes (or more, if you take a walk across the much-recommended Williamsburg Bridge). A few other stations and lines are not that far away. |Williamsburg is a wide neighborhood, more diverse than you'd think, and nearby landmarks / clubs/ rooftops / restaurants are well documented on panels you'll find by the reception. By the way: take your time to explore Brooklyn! Even on your first visit to New York, I found the borough to be no less interesting than Manhattan, possibly even more so in a number of ways: Prospect Park, Coney Island and Park Slope are all in my NYC top 10. A renowned pizzeria is just a block away and there are bodegas and supermarkets at a walking distance. It's a nice chance to live among the locals, without being cut out from the city's hubs. 4/5 (not the most stunning visually, but interesting and in reach!)||PREMISES AND ROOM: I wouldn't say this is the cleanest hostel I've ever stayed in, but to be fair, not the dirtiest, either (but I've been very flexible, maybe to a fault). I was lucky to get along well with my roommates, and there haven't been issues in sharing what is a reasonably wide room. I've seen other reviews complaining about tinly lockers and I can't really disagree, but there is room underneath the beds to store a medium-small luggage and I didn't really see that as a problem; perhaps I'd advise otherwise had I had a bigger suitcase. Our window faced the inner yard so we didn't have noise problems. Instead, I wonder if letting loose cables just under the window is the safest option. |Bathroom was okay, one for four guests worked out just right. It's spacious, maybe a little cold but it was still summer and can't tell for sure. No windows, just a vent.|Just be warned that you have to walk a few steps at the entrance. My bad for not checking, but sadly, NYC is not the most accessible place for people with walking disabilities. If that's your case, I wouldn't necessarily advise this hostel which is structured on several levels and has quite an 'angular' plan. Unless of course you are well prepared on that note.|I had a good sleep in the beds, which I've learnt not to take for granted. 3/5||COMMON ROOMS AND FACILITIES: I enjoyed the common room, where it's really easy to make friends with other guests from all over the world. There are books, a few sockets, vintage furniture (maybe a little dusty?) and a TV complete with Netflix. While I have nice memories about the hall, I can't say likewise about the kitchen and the cafeteria (though I admit the free coffee fountain didn't disappoint me!), mainly because I found an out-of-order fridge and quite a dirty kitchen (this is not on the staff, but finding someone else's dirty dishes in the sink isn't my favourite way to start the day). |Let's just say that I'm quite reluctant to cook at a hostel in the first place, and that this hostel's kitchen didn't go to great lengths to change my mind. On a positive note, again, there are plenty of takeout / eating options all over the place, even at (New-York wise) affordable prices. |Speaking of, you can find soda machines in the common hall (yay!), but then again, they stole my dollar on a couple occasions. |There's a computer room in case you need it, just e-mail a file to the reception and they'll print it for you.|I didn't use the laundry room or other services, about which I can't tell. Instead I wonder why keeping a floor-to ceiling mirror in the common restroom, but I guess it's better than a carpet and that it was just... forgiveably awkward. 2.5/5||STAFF: The reception is open 24/7 just by the entrance, and there is always someone to assist you. There are several guys at different times of the day; some more talkative than others, but all efficient, helpful (when it comes to navigate the city, or the block, you can count on them!) and to-the-point. Mind that sudden change of hearts about the details of your accommodation can't be taken for granted by guests and won't be seen well. Bear in mind that the clientele comes from all over the world and that people come, go, and sleep at all times. According to where your room is, noise can be heard coming from the entrance, and is taken very seriously. Use the common rooms for chitchat and you'll be good :) 3.5/5 ||GUESTS: while it makes little sense to review a population that changes on a rolling basis, I had a lovely time meeting amazing new people from the US or elsewhere in the world. This place fits all ages, provided one's open-minded and not too fussy (20- to 40-something guests are most common, but older or younger guests are not rare). Troublesome guests are invited to leave as soon as they get caught / reported (from what I witnessed); also (again) don't thread lightly with jet lag issues, both for other guests and for yourself - it can all get trickier than it seems, and it's NOT just about adjusting actual bedtime. What seems to you a perfectly acceptable time to talk loud as you normally, unintentionally do is another guest's attempt to keep up with their sleep, and while this could or could not be annoying i other contexts, some rooms here are literally one step away from the hallway (and the reception). Not saying they'll kick you out on the spot but you don't want to be "that guest". All this could sound obvious, but hostels really are a mixed bag. This place is reasonably welcoming overall, but it's no "party hostel" - but then again, it's not like you're ever out of options to have fun...

TLDR: it’s a good, cheap option for someone who can be flexible and can handle ambient noise. I wouldn’t stay here if you are really sensitive to noise and can afford a quieter place to stay.

Neighborhood: This is by the Montrose Ave train stop on the L, between Williamsburg and Bushwick. I thankfully have been in this neighborhood before so it wasn’t completely new to me.

Neighborhood safety (TLDR-no big issues): I am a woman and stayed here by myself in January in a female-only dorm shared with two other women. I was out late on a Saturday in Alphabet City and planned on ordering a Lyft back to go home since another guest said someone was following them back to the hostel in another Google review. I ended up meeting a male friend of a friend during my day and night out who has lived in Brooklyn for decades and thought it would be fine/relatively safe for me to take the L train back to the hostel instead of ordering a car since he knew the neighborhood around the Montrose Ave and I said the area around the hostel wasn’t desolate. He was also going to take the L train home but would get off at a later spot so I knew I would have to walk the five or so minutes back to the hostel by myself at about 2:15 AM. I chose to take the L train back. The walk back to the hostel was very quiet and I barely crossed paths with anyone. I can’t say if this would be everyone’s experience and I’m not sure if I would do it again since I had the benefit of being with my friend’s friend when I boarded the train.

Noise: My bus ride back to DC was quieter than my night at this hostel. The walls were pretty thin and I felt like the quiet hours could have been enforced better by the staff. This is why I am not giving it a five-star review. I couldn’t hear what people were doing or saying in their rooms, but you could hear people taking or doing things in the halls pretty easily. It was a little noisy the one night/morning I stayed here. I got back late and was in bed around 3:20 AM. There was an employee at the desk and signs about quiet hours. Still, there was a group of about three guests who were looking at the bulletin board in the main hall as I was going to bed at 3:20 AM, not too far but not even that close to my room, who were talking loudly. After a few minutes of this I went out and asked if they could keep it down. They apologized and lowered their voices, but not enough to where I couldn’t hear them, and eventually they left. I would have appreciated it if the person on staff had asked them to keep it down to maintain the quiet hours the hostel says they provide. I also heard some ambient noise and voices outside of the room in the morning, too, before 8:00 AM on a Sunday. That’s not bad, since people need to start their days and all that and it is a hostel so the accommodations will not be as nice as a hotel, but I just want to describe what it was like to stay there for those who are considering it. I put in some earplugs that I brought in the morning, which helped.

The room, bathroom, and other services: it’s a bit of close quarters, but not cramped by any means. The bathroom was clean. I was only given one personal towel and there was no towel hanging in the bathroom for us to use to dry our hands. Perhaps if I asked for more I could have gotten more, though not sure if I would have had to pay more. Decent curtains to block out the sunlight in the morning. The blanket was thick and the pillow was okay. There was a coat/clothes rack in the room, which was nice, and lockers, though you had to bring your own lock or buy one from the hostel for $5 or so. I borrowed an iron and small ironing board from the front desk but only used the steamer because the iron wasn’t clean on the inside and water came through the iron holes as dirty water. I feel like this could have even happened at a hotel, though.

Staff: the staff was friendly...