International Student CenterEditor's Pick

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Bare bones to the hilt, the International Student Center on the Upper West Side is not a place to stay for the ambiance, unless of course a down-at-heel boarding house with high ceilings is your idea of charm.

All rooms are en suite. You'll share a bathrooms with your roommates (admittedly, at a high roommate to room ratio of almost ten to one) but not with other rooms. Rooms are basic but very clean. Linens are included but note that you’ll need to bring along your own towel.

There are few bells and whistles here, and the Dutch backpackers we intercepted on the way out complained about the omnipresence of video cameras, which might be viewed as a plus to many. Another quirk that bothered guests was that large bags are not allowed in the rooms. Lest you fear for your belongings, however, we were reassured by many (guests included) that all is safe: bag storage is in the lobby, which is locked at night and guarded in daytime hours by the responsible, friendly staff.

Perks include the communal kitchen and basement lounge with television and public phones. There is also a “secret garden” with free herbs for guests to harvest in summer months. Then there's the location, just a hop, skip, and jump from Central Park on a particularly glorious Upper West Side block.

Those for whom a cheap bed is the number one priority are the International Student Center's natural clientele.

» Alex Robertson Textor

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.