Ymca West Side

About Ymca West Side

Ymca West Side suits travelers who want a straightforward base on the Upper West Side and plan to spend most of the day out. The address on West 63rd Street puts Central Park and the Lincoln Square arts venues within a short walk, and the subway reaches Midtown quickly. Couples touring on a budget, students, solo visitors and families booking a family room find the 1-star format practical.

Expect a plain, institution-style stay rather than a full-service hotel. Ymca West Side carries a 1-star official rating, and the supplier's guest score is 3.1 out of 5 from 14 reviews, which points to modest expectations met at a basic level. Rooms are simple and the shared areas cover the essentials. It is a place to sleep and wash close to the park rather than a destination in itself. Read recent guest comments in the app before booking, and treat the score as one input among several rather than a full picture.

Rooms and listed facilities

The supplier lists air conditioning, free wifi, a 24 hour front desk, 24 hour security, lifts, luggage storage, a safe, laundry service, family rooms and wheelchair access. It also lists a fitness center, an indoor pool, a spa and bars, and a banquet space. Couples and business travelers can work from the wifi and leave bags at the desk; late arrivals can rely on the round-the-clock desk. Families should confirm room layout and bed count with the property, and ask which listed facilities are open during the stay.

The setting

Ymca West Side stands at 5 West 63rd Street, on the edge of Lincoln Square at the southwest corner of the Upper West Side. The block sits between Central Park and the Lincoln Square arts district, so the park's southern edge is about 0.6 miles (1 km) away in a straight line. Several subway lines run nearby; check current service before you travel.

Location and neighborhood

Lincoln Square sits where the Upper West Side meets Midtown, and its evenings revolve around Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Before a curtain, the blocks between Columbus Circle and the campus fill with people heading to dinner. The neighborhood has a strong everyday food culture: grocery halls, bakeries, coffee bars and long-established restaurants mix with newer openings on the side streets. Ymca West Side places you within walking distance of that evening rhythm. Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway carry most of the traffic, while the quieter blocks toward West End Avenue stay calm after dark.

The food map changes block by block. Broadway near Lincoln Center leans toward pre-theater menus and casual lunches, while Columbus Circle draws a mixed crowd of office workers, shoppers and concertgoers. South of the circle, the streets toward the Theater District quicken at night. North, the Upper West Side keeps a residential pace, with delis, pizza counters, sushi bars and bakeries serving late. Ymca West Side sits in the middle of that range, so a quiet dinner and a loud opening night are both easy to reach on foot. Weekends bring brunch queues; weeknights are calmer.

Getting there and around

From Ymca West Side, the airports are around 14 miles (22.3 km) away by road and the main rail stations around 1.2 miles (2 km); the heart of the neighborhood is around 0.9 miles (1.5 km). Allow extra time at peak hours. Subway lines serve Columbus Circle and the 66th Street area, and buses run along Broadway and Central Park West. Pay the subway by tapping a contactless card or phone. Walking is often quickest between the campus, Columbus Circle and the side streets. Congestion pricing applies to vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street; check the current rules before driving.

Nearby sights and food

Lincoln Center anchors the neighborhood: its plaza, fountain and auditoriums host opera, ballet, orchestral music and film, with schedules set each season. Central Park begins a few blocks east, and the American Museum of Natural History sits on Central Park West at 79th Street. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is farther east along Museum Mile, and the Museum of Modern Art is south toward Midtown. Broadway theaters cluster around Times Square, a walk or short subway ride away. Check opening days and performance times before setting out.

Eating out here ranges from quick slices and deli sandwiches to full pre-theater dinners. Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian and Middle Eastern kitchens are all within a few blocks, alongside diners, bakeries, wine bars and cocktail lounges. Columbus Circle adds food halls and counter-service spots for a fast lunch. Reservations help before curtain times, and many kitchens stay open after the theaters empty. Check opening days and whether a table is held for walk-ins.

A day from Ymca West Side

Start with coffee and a pastry near Ymca West Side, then walk through Central Park toward the American Museum of Natural History for a morning visit. Break for lunch on Columbus Avenue or Broadway. In the afternoon, cross to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or stay closer with a walk along the park's west edge. Return to Ymca West Side to change before dinner. Book a table near Lincoln Center, eat early and walk to an evening performance. After the show, choose a quiet wine bar or a late dessert. Check performance and museum hours in advance.

Distances

Facilities listed by the supplier

As listed by the booking supplier; a facility not listed here may still exist. Confirm anything important with the property.

• 24 Hour Front Desk
• 24-hour security
• Air conditioning
• Banquet
• Bars
• Bathroom
• Cleaning
• Desk
• Family rooms
• First aid
• Fitness Center
• Free Wi-Fi
• Housekeeping
• Indoor pool
• Internet access
• Laundry Service
• Elevators
• Lounge
• Luggage storage
• Non smoking rooms
• Refrigerator
• Safe
• Sauna
• Security Features
• Shower
• Smoke detector
• Spa
• Squash
• Steam room
• Swimming pool
• TV
• Towels
• WC
• Wheelchair accessible
• Wi-Fi