West Side YMCA-- Didn't Know This was a Hostel, too

My only experience with the West Side Y was swimming there while the 92nd Street Y was closed ( the 92nd Street Y is closed for certain Jewish holidays and has arrangements with the West Side and the Vanderbilt Y's, or used to, to let members go there )

Much busier than the 92nd Street Y,-- it seems stretched to the limit for its facilities, but people are very polite and considerate about others, which is not always the case at pool and gym facilities...at least they were when I was there...(things change...the famous "New York Minute").

The West Side Y seems to have to a bunch of programs going on oriented to the neighborhood...

I did not also know people get rooms there, as at a hostel...this is from their website:

Opened in 1920, the West Side YMCA is located in Manhattan. It is located less than a 10-minute walk from Central Park, Carnegie Hall and The Dakota.

After a day of sightseeing or shopping in New York City, guests can relax in the hostel's sauna or heated pool. The fitness room is equipped with a treadmill. Other hostel amenities include a lift, a concierge and a safe.

The modern and large rooms at the West Side YMCA offer a private bathroom, cable / satellite channels and central heating. The shared bathroom has a shower and towels.

The West Side YMCA has its own on-site restaurant, convenient for guests wishing to dine in. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and restaurants within a 10-minute walk.

The West Side YMCA is within a five minute walk of Broadway, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Columbus Circle. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a 40 minute drive away.

OK, Now let me see if I can find something about the history of the place...(it is really built like a fortress, but some is the 92nd Street Y for that matter. Very large facilities at both places, West Side in fact has two swimming pools, one very cold and one warm as mentioned above ( but they use the warm one for special classes-- if you prefer the warmer water, so you would have to check on that).

Coming up empty handed on architectural history-- but here is an interesting review from someone who just stayed there-- always good to get another point of view:

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/West-Side-YMCA/New-York/831/reviews