Just 4.2 mi (6.7 km) from the airport, International Students Residence puts you within a 15-minute drive of Brooklyn Bridge and New York University. You'll have free perks like WiFi and self parking. Also, Battery Park and United Nations Headquarters are within a short drive.
It covered the needs for a traveler so far. It was
Pros: The staff is always available to help and the different shared spaces are nice.
Cons: There is no way to set the things in your room. No furniture or closets, or even a chair in the room to have things accommodated.
Assigned a male to my double bunk room when I book
Pros: Bed was relatively comfortable, temperature was just right (not too cold, however this is subjective), towel provided, shower facilities are alright but the walls between the shower cubicles are very transparent which I am not used to. Also the hooks to hang your towel and clothes in the shower is too high for me (I am about 5"4 or 1.6m, and have to tiptoe). They should cater to the shorter females as well.
Cons: My stay at ISH was from June 17 to 19. On my last night, at about 4.45am I woke up and saw the lights were on. I remember that I switched them off the night before so I sat up in my bed, confused for a while. Suddenly a male entered my room with his luggage and told me that the reception had given him the same room as me. We were sharing the same room (I am a female)! I was very shocked and even more confused but since it was already very late at night I did not object (he had a few luggages with him and it was already late). In the morning when I checked out, I told the receptionist that a male entered my room last night and that the hostel had put him in the same room as me. The receptionist checked and said she did not see him in the system. Bullshit! I told her that she could go up to my room and see for herself as he was sleeping in the lower bunk as we speak! It is indeed very horrifying that they put a male and female together in the same room and I was lucky that the male had no bad intentions. I will never choose ISH again for this extremely bad experience. Also, the women's toilet locks are unreliable and I nearly got locked in one of the cubicles!! I read other reviews and another guest mentioned the same thing. Very unpleasant visit indeed.
3 Days in New New York
Pros: The facilities were well kept and aesthetically pleasing. the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The hostel is located in a convenient area. It is right down the street from the Marcy avenue subway station, and close to a number of restaurants, bars, markets, and coffee shops.
Cons: The ceilings are open, so you can hear everything on your floor. It also right next to a subway line. My remedy for both was headphones, but there are earplugs provided at the reception desk.
