This is the only location in New York that I know of that offers aqua cycling, which is one of my favorite workouts. The instructor is nice and the bikes are in good condition. However, the experience could be better. I am not a full member of the YMCA - I pay for just the aqua cycling classes. They expect you to buy a full package (8 classes), but don't offer refunds if you have to miss one. There's limited availability on Tues and Fri nights. Also, the aqua bikes are in a swim lane of a pool that's used for lap swimming, so it's not the most relaxing situation. In addition, the gym facilities are pretty old, especially the locker rooms and common areas. I would consider taking more aqua classes if they offered more days and instructors, but I don't think I would be interested in using their other equipment or becoming a full member. read more

My wife and I are moving from the area and are sad to be leaving the YMCA! Overall, this is a fantastic option for weight workouts (free weights, machines, bench/cables, squat racks), classes, the pool, and the cardio space. The gym is fairly large and takes some time to get used. There is an elevator for use to go up and down all 5-ish floors of the building. Hours - could have been more convenient if it opened earlier than 6am on weekdays and 8am on weekends. Availability - there are plenty of cardio machines and weight stations available. If specific machines are not available or being used, there are plenty of alternative options. But RARELY has this happened. Pool - is super convenient to have and does get busy earlier (the first few hours after opening) than later. There are multiple lanes. Lockers - nothing super fancy. It looks a bit like a high school locker room, but with a steam and sauna. It's always been clean and I have no complaints here. I think the only recent issue has been that many of the water fountain filters needed to be replaced for a couple of weeks. They have fountains (like in an airport) that show filter status - and it had been on red (needs replacement) for a while. read more

I was attending a conference near Rockefeller Plaza, and was trying to have access to a pool for my workouts. Once I found this branch of the YMCA, I was greeted right away by a very pleasant man who directed me to one of the counters. Then, Angela discussed my options which worked out to about $50 for the week. I asked if I could actually see the pool before making a decision and she gladly walked me down to see it. There are two pools -- both 25 yards, one is really designed for family and people doing what they do when not swimming laps. The other pool is strictly for lap swimming and has large signs where each lane is based on speed so the very left lane is slow, medium in the middle and very fast on the right. Once I signed up and started going, I realized that no one was really monitoring the lanes. There were only five and I always had to share which was fine. The pool is only about 5 foot deep so no diving. I don't consider myself fast, but I ended up taking the very fast lane for my 30 minute workouts after discovering that there was too much confusion and commotion in the other lanes with other swimmers. The guy split the lane with was an older grumpy guy who always seemed super annoyed to see me because he probably enjoyed swimming by himself. The good news is that he was pretty fast and took long breaks between his 100 yard sets which worked out well for me. The facilities are very clean and the staff are nice. Honestly, the highlight for me was the hilarious gentleman from Poland who greets you when you come in. It was so refreshing to interact with someone with his dry sense of humor and wit. I enjoyed walking to the YMCA daily after my conference to get my 1 mile swim in. I highly recommended to anyone who is in the same situation and wants to maintain the workouts. read more

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Freeweight area is small. Alot of gay guys in the sauna. They are allowed to go in nakedness and they take full advantage of that. Kettlebells only go up to 40 lbs. There are alot of people here who never wash their clothes and wear the same outfit every time they workout. The gym lacks energy. I only go here for the poil. read more

If you're an early-morning swimmer, think twice before joining. The pool very frequently opens late--sometimes by an hour or two --with no warning or explanation. Only one lifeguard is reliably on time; otherwise, openings are a true gamble. Worse, the staff rarely communicate delays. When asked, they offer vague excuses, saying the guard is "on the way" or "missed the train." Once, after a long wait, we were told the guard would come specifically by 7:15 am at latest. That would still be one hour late. But no one showed. No apologies. If you value punctuality and professionalism, this facility will surely disappoint. I'm talking specifically about the pool. read more

Been going here for years. Facility is nice, machines are new and easy to use. Showers and locker areas very good. Only problem: not enough hours open. Used to close 11PM pre-COVID, now closes 9PM. Prices somewhat high, but manageable. read more

The Y itself seems great, but I would avoid the kids summer camp. We had a very disappointing experience. The schedule shows an hour block of "instructional swim" but ended up being ten minutes. The games and activities are geared towards the youngest in the group, and there was no plan for days when rain or heat kept the kids from the playground. It was 8yos playing "duck duck goose" every day. read more

Location: Really close to alot of things. I could walk everywhere with ease Room: Okay, very small for a private one bedroom with private deattached bathroom . The room comes with a towel , hangers, fridge, desk and plenty of drawers. There's a TV but no remote (you can just press the buttons on the TV to change the channel). There's free WiFi but the password only lasts for 2 days. The deattached bathroom is only accessible with your room key and there's 3-4 of it on a floor. You get no shampoo , conditioner , body soap, lotion , or a wash cloth but it's a good thing that CVS is nearby. They do have hand soap but it's in a dispenser in the shower. The showerhead has a black thing you need to press it on the side if you want more water. Service: You might be wondering why the low rating, it's due to the lack of courtesy or service. I emailed them 2-3 months ago with questions by email and Hotels.com messaging but no answer was given. This morning, there was an older lady tending to the desk and seemed irritated. She would answer the question but with an annoyed tone. My question was how would I return my keys back to them if I had an early flight and she said give it to the security. She didn't seems to like it there However when I checked in at 3 pm, I was greeted by really polite people so I guess it depends on the worker you get Perks: -free gym, pool and sauna ($10 fee) -close to everywhere - relatively cheap ($125+ a night) Cons: - Limited bathrooms and no way to see if the bathrooms are vacant. When I was showering and brushing my teeth in the private bathroom, a guest tried to open the door that I locked. Instead of just leaving after realizing it was locked, he went and brought the manager that tried to break into the bathroom. After telling them I was in here, they left, but this happened again everyday I was there which annoyed me. read more

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The Vanderbilt YMCA is awesome. Way cheaper than Equinox and has a better community atmosphere. It are several floors, two swimming pools, a basketball court, lots of free weights, treadmill, and a walking track. The locker rooms are adequate and they even allow monthly locker rentals for a cheap price. Highly recommend. read more

Review is for hotel only. This place is great for just a night or two in the city. We got a private room with a double bed and bathroom. It was small, but clean and that is more important to me than size - I know some people might prefer more luxury. That it is not! But it's a basic room and it's worth the money you spend (cheap for nyc). Also, the staff we encountered were really nice - no one gave us attitude and when we realized there was no toilet paper in our room, they were attentive and prompt with delivering it to our room. Highly recommended for an affordable nyc hotel. read more

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When I'm in the city for a mere 36hours, I have to consider carefully how to spend my time and money. These two factors played largely into my decision to stay at the YMCA. First of all, I needed a place near enough to the Port authority bus terminal and to 43rd between 2nd and 3rd. I didnt want to spend too much time walking and wanted transportation access points nearby. Secondly, I wanted to stay as close to $100 per night as was humanly possible on a hopping weekend in June. Third, close access to a fitness center was high priority. Considering all these factors, I couldn't find a hotel for anything less than $200 a night, and the next best offer was the YMCA. While I wasnt thrilled with the idea of having the bathroom down the hall, it was an acceptable compromise for my other needs. My room on the 8th floor was small, but it was clean. It faced inward on a courtyard area so there was no view of anything except windows, but offered a rather quiet night's sleep. The bed wasn't particularly comfortable... A little twin on the short side, but a place to sleep. I hated the pillow though. It was like a rock. The room was also equipped with a tv, desk, chair, wall mirror and fridge. It was basically a dormroom. I could have done with a couple of hooks on the wall for my damp towel... The 8th floor shower and toilet facilities for women weren't stellar. They seemed damp and muggy and only 2 toilets for a lot of rooms. The security desk attendants were pleasant and they were a positive aspect of staying here. I didn't have any problems with the service desk workers either. All were pleasant and informative. In the end I didnt even have time to use the sauna, steam room, pool, fitness equipment or group classes... ALL of which were availble for my use. I was bummed about this, but their shorter hours on the weekend made it so I couldn't take advantage (or I could just admit that going out to eat was of a higher priority for me while down in the city!!!) Considering everything, and being honest with what you're getting - a hostel in the heart of the city - you cant really beat the deal I got here. $234 total for 2 nights was much more reasonable than $400+taxes etc at a hotel. And I would stay here again if I needed to be concsious of all these other factors. Defintely worth considering if you're looking to stay in midtown east on the cheap. read more

This is a gym review - not hotel. Cold. Cold. Showers. For months. I've been a member of this Y for so long, mainly because the other members are lovely, and the training staff is wonderful. But... Cold showers, broken and unserviced cardio machines, and unresponsive desk staff and management have me thinking it may be time to go, sadly (I, and other members, have been asking repeatedly for them to help with the cold showers and the poorly maintained equipment..for at least a couple months now). Many people go to this gym for it's pools, but since I don't swim, other gyms are calling...they seem to have many of the same features. It's really too bad. I love this place but can't see paying $120 a month for freezing showers. I guess...I'm leaving this message here as a final cry for help. Because I really wish I could stay. read more

For $104/night, you can't expect much in NYC, right? My room itself was of course tiny, but clean and the bed was surprisingly comfortable (not too firm or too soft). The bathroom however is a real problem. You're supposed to be able to use your hotel key to enter the hall bathrooms and shower area. Unfortunately, other guests are idiots and leave the doors purposefully open so a key is pointless. I don't know if it's out of sheer laziness or ignorance, but it's in my opinion, a safety issue. As a single woman traveling, I don't want to worry when I get up in the middle of the night that someone could enter the bathroom without a key. One night I entered and there was a man in the next stall-this was not a unisex bathroom. He immediately rushed to leave before getting "caught." I've lived in several big cities (DC, Paris, Quebec) and traveled in many others and am used to urban living, staying in hostels and what each entails. I was however taken aback when I entered the women's bathroom late one night and the fetid smell of alcohol and soiled clothing both overwhelmed and nauseated me. It appears a homeless person was allowed in was allowed in through either a window (it was below 40 outside and the windows were wide open in the hallway and bathroom) to use the facilities (I am not making a derogatory comment about the homeless). The other guests are extremely noisy at night; they stand in the hallways and party. Thankfully, the room air conditioner (it was on when I arrived and as it wasn't high enough to make the room cold, I left it on) acted as white noise to drown them out a bit. The water pipes in the room rattled hard. They are very loud, but as I was very tired, I was able to sleep. The staff downstairs is fairly indifferent, but they're not impolite; at least, they weren't to me. I did not complain about the bathroom situation because I was pretty sure they were aware of it. I did not use the gym, but it looked well-maintained and modern. In sum, as I just needed a bed for a couple of nights, it did the trick. Would I stay here again? Doubtful. read more

The entire staff is very helpful when you ask what to do to obtain your goal. Now if you come to the gym to lose weight, you have to remember this place is just a tool. You need a proper diet to get the dream body you desire. Take full advantage of their cardio classes, because the weight will begin to shed instantly. Recommended classes: - Spin Classes with any of the instructors - Zumba - Aqua Zumba - Empower with Terrence - Kick box with Andrew The list goes on! Take my advice: stay quiet, have good music in the ear, take one cardio class and complete 1 hour weight training, steam room... Do this 5-6 days a week and see your results. You will see the change. I can rate the gym anyway I like, but your body transforms based on your actions. This gym gets 5 stars, because they have all tools needed to get that dream body! read more

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This is a review for the gym & pool. As other reviews highlight, the personnel at the front desk make sure you get the worst service ever. I got a free pass to see how the pool is. I was denied entrance a first time because I didn't carry a government id. I was dismissed with a very unpolite hand gesture of the person at the front desk. I went home and I got the green card. I came back and another person at the front desk denied me access for a second time. She said my id was not good and needed to see another id. At that point I clearly saw I was wasting my time trying that place. It's the very first time my green card has been labeled as "not valid." They lost a potential member just because of the front desk personnel. I'll have to look for another pool. read more

I was on an assignment in NYC, Manhattan, for a couple of days. The hotel prices were astronomical, in the city. To find a less pricy hotel, I had to take the train to Qeens or Staten Island. That would have resulted in time and commute expenses. This YMCA was in walking distance, and cost me $115/nite. Had I been a woman, I would have hesitated. The restrooms and shower facilities are shared, though reasonably clean. I am a guy, and not particularly picky.The staff is nice and friendly. There is an eatery across the street. The room was very tiny, the street view was a back alley, and the window did not do much, obstructing the noise. Unless I increase my income, if I ever have to come back to NYC, this will be the place I will be staying. read more

Vanderbilt Branch YMCA - My hotel room view - Gyms Near Me - New York, New York

so disappointed in this place. use to love the YMCA but it has changed. firstly, they no longer provide warm, dry towels. you have to carry your towels around with you (wet and dry). ugh. secondly, even though we canceled our membership in the LIC branch and I gave them a new card for the Vanderbilt branch, they are still charging the card for the LIC branch. why?? that's soooo sketchy. i will have to cancel my membership here. I'm super disappointed. how can i trust a gym that does questionable stuff when it comes to finances? so very disappointed. honestly, I hope all the gyms that do this shady shit with people's credit cards fail. the pandemic did a lot of the culling out... let's see... read more

Not sure if it had gone downhill or has always been this bad. I have been coming here for personal training since the beforehand COVID times. Recently, I decided I wanted to take swimming lessons. And boy did I try to arrange lessons! Sent "Gary Fizer" the aquatics Director 2 emails. No response. Finally a couple weeks later I cornered him in the office. He did " half" talk to me but could not be bothered to end his personal conversation as he was talking to me. I know it was personal because the person said I love you when the caller was ready to hang up. He gave me the form to fill out. I filled it out and returned it to him. He told me after he received the form he would get back to me. About 3 months and still waiting. Besides this issue, I have noticed that the equipment is not being cleaned. I have seen the same hair and the same piece of dust in the exact same location on equipment for months now. So gross. I will probably stop going here -the only reason I keep going is that my trainer is EXCELLENT! I will probably have to really search to find someone as good. read more

I swam there e few days ago pool was clean and nice to swim in People where friendly and pool attendant was helpful The lady was very helpful and happy to help me even though she had trouble with my Aussie accent The only down fall was the man that met me at reception was a bit surly and I felt like I was taking up his precious time when I asked him a question His response was to point and grunt over there Maybe a bad day for him but the rest of the people and facilities were fantastic read more

Vanderbilt Branch YMCA - Means a mate having a bit of fun - Gyms Near Me - New York, New York

Ok, so this looks like a kindergarten...so confusing. Yes, they do have machines, and space, no argument there, but front desk lady was HORRIBLE. Very rude. It always surprises me how management place people who are really not a fit in places like that. Now to be fair, YMCA is one of the best gyms to really start your workout journey. You will always have space and not feel so crowded. You will have enough equipment and alone time at certain machines. Its the truth. But this is not a favorite YMCA I prefer Mcburney in 14th street. They are better. read more

YMCA Vanderbilt ... You Mustn't Camp At Vanderbilt A bit disappointed ... great location, extremely small rooms for the price. The drinking fountain was broken one evening so I only got brownish water to drink! The facilities like the gym and and pool are great although finding them was sometimes hard. The personnel was a mixed bag ... some were grumpy, others absolutely lovely. Was between two and three stars but gave the two because I genuinely believe it is not worth the money. Great location though. read more

If you want an inexpensive place to stay in Manhattan close to everything, this is it. The rooms are very basic, single bed, dresser & small dorm fridge with bathroom & shower down the hall. But, it's safe and secure, relatively quiet and the staff is friendly and nice. Plus, you get free use of the YMCA gym and facilities! Short walk to the subway station and about 10-15 min walk to Times Square. This is my third visit to this Y and I will stay here again! read more

The YMCA is my hometown gym. Having grown up, going to YMCAs in NYC. I know what to expect. The main lap swimming pool is perfect. There is always room to swim whatever distance you are training for. I always swim in lap swimming pools in a circular fashion (even when alone) so the only snafu with this is that sometimes you have to convince other swimmers to swim circularly, if there is just 1 other swimmer. There are rarely ever just 2 swimmers in 1 lane. It is usually empty or there are at least 3 already circular swimming. The spin classes here are ideal. All the instructors are pros. You can also spin independently on the Spin bikes on the 1st floor. There is a sauna AND steam room. The showers are typical YMCA showers, in a shower room. There are also 2 large and separate Men's locker rooms! I have never stayed in one of the rooms here, but have stayed at hostels in Europe. I think the fact that there is a fully equipped gym at ones disposal would be incredible if I were a guest here. I've been swimming and spinning at this particular branch daily for several years now. In fact, I will be there within the hour! This is my favorite YMCA to swim and spin at. Enjoy your stay here at this Y and remember, swimmers swim laps circularly! read more

Members for the gym do not get preferred treatment. When there are 10 people waiting to check into the "hotel" side and you need to fix anything with you membership, you wait behind hotel guests. No separate member line, despite what the signs say. Pool temperature pretty cold. In women's locker room, two swimsuit spinners, one has been non-functional for at least three months by now. read more

I was member here for 15+ years. The karate program was pretty good, most of the staff is great (with the exception to a few people), the gym is nice and clean, and the pools are wonderful. There is plenty of exercise equipment. However, one night in September 2005, two punks started a fight with me on the basketball court, and NO ONE, specifically those who played pickup ball that night that included a few staff members, came to my aid. There were least 7 idiots who just stood there and did not do a damn thing. Shame on all of them. Anyway, I wound up having to alert the authorities as a result of this mess. Because of this event, I ultimately decided it be best for me not to frequent this place anymore. I still maintain a good relationship with certain current/former staff members. If you want weight-lifting lessons, go to Robinson, Patrick, or Jerry. They're all awesome. I'm not sure if Victor is around, but if he is, I'd recommend him as well. If you want karate lessons, ask for Senpai Joey, if he still works here. My advice to management, I hope you have at least one staff member watching the basketball court at all times to prevent fights from occurring/escalating. read more

My stay in ymca is really awesome ..... Definitely my next visit I will stay again in ymca... Thank you so much for wonderful experience. The receptionist are so nice And the guy for the tourist attraction He will give u a nice deal for the trip. The location is too close of everything, read more

Review for the pool (and locker rooms) only I went on a Thursday afternoon with a free guest pass. The small lobby felt crowded and confusing at first, but eventually, I managed to register (rather quickly) with a nice lady at the front desk, so no frustrating experiences with staff as some reviewers here have mentioned. The locker room is a maze! Found the showers intuitively, but got confused after. I was surprised at myself when I thought "It is a good thing there are so many people here" - at least I had someone to ask where the pool was. I had to ask twice - it is a long way from the women's locker room to the "East Pool" (the bigger one), many opportunities to turn the wrong way (although, there are signs, so I guess it was my fault). The pool itself is great! It was not at all crowded when I got there, I got the whole slow lane to myself. If you're too proud for the slow lane, you'll most likely have to share. In all the faster lanes there were 2, and in one maybe 3 people. The space doesn't feel as claustrophobic as the West Side Y's pool, it's pretty spacious and overall just fine. The pool is only 4 feet deep all along. Locker rooms are a bit too cramped. Instead of a bench, you get a couple of small stools, which would be fine if you didn't have to share them with more people than there are stools. Showers and bathrooms clean and convenient enough. read more

This review is for the front desk at the gym. They are the most miserable, unfriendly, I'll mannered staff I have ever encountered. If you think you'll find a helping hand or see a smile this is not the place for you. The front desk was even rude to a disabled woman in a wheel chair, she said thank you, they did not even respond. read more

Note: this review is for the gym, not the hotel. I live in the neighborhood and have been looking for gyms that offer pools. I've been a member of Blink Fitness (a barebones gym costing just $25 a month); though I've been pleased with the club, I wanted to see where else my dollar could take me. I picked up a complementary day pass online to check out the facilities on a day off (a Tuesday in November). After checking in at the member services desk, I was free to come in and out of the Y during that day. The Y lists all of its classes online on its website. I decided to take a spin class. The instructor, Terrence, was awesome! I hadn't done spin in a while and he helped make sure I was on the bike correctly. Plus he had a ton of energy. At the end of the class he gave every participant a high five which I thought was cool. The cardio section looked spacious and I do appreciate that this gym has multiple large exercise rooms for classes. However, the decor is very drab and the signage is confusing. Finding the staircases from the lobby to the 3rd floor, where my spin class would take place, was not an intuitive process. Note that the Y mandates that all swimmers to wear a swim cap. They sell different models at the lobby if you don't have one, staring at $10. I really wasn't a fan of the pool. Just getting to the pool is a real process, involving going down multiple staircases. I swam at 11:30 am and checked to see how the pool fared at 6 pm (the time that I normally would be working out). During both times, lane occupancy was between 2-3 people. The Y clearly dedicates each lane to specific speeds (from slow to fast and everything in between). Swimmers were courteous; the pool has signs requesting swimmers inform others before sharing a lane, which is helpful. The pool itself is 4 feet deep all around, and diving is prohibited. During my look around at 6 pm, another of the pools was empty (usually used for classes as opposed to lap swimming), which is a bummer considering it could alleviate congestion in the other pool. As an adult, per the YMCA's website, my membership at this location would have cost $95 month, plus a $125 one-time fee (though the site stipulates to ask about corporate discounts). The closest NY Sports Club to this area, by comparison, offers plans at $60 or $70 a month plus $50 annual fees, while the Chinatown Y--which also has a pool--charges $88 a month and the $125 one-time fee. I'm simply not convinced I'd pay a premium price for the pool. I wasn't sold on the layout of the gym and the amount of people swimming at any given time was discouraging. P.S. Yes, I mentioned that this also is a hotel which I found bizarre. The staff in the lobby desks handle requests for gym members and hotel guests, so lines can be slow moving. read more

This review is for my stay here. Horrible staff, decent room, clean bathrooms. Every check in and check out, OMG, the staff seems like they died. No personality and seemed like they're being bothered. I'm sorry, your life sucks and you work here? The rooms are very small, but big enough for two people with 1 suitcase each. Plus, you're only there to sleep not hang out. Bathrooms are cleaned every day. Make sure you have flip flops! I'd stay here again...if it was a different staff. Hire people who are not miserable. K thanks! read more

I just finished up an 8 week swimming course here. The entire facility is first and foremost top of the line, and sparkling clean; you can see that your dues are put to good use, and they really go the effort to create an all encompassing, welcoming environment, whatever your interest. The swim instructors I dealt with, Christian, Charlie and Mike, cannot be more highly praised. If you are looking to get into swimming, these are the people you want teaching you. They're highly knowledgeable, have the patience of saints, are able to put their instruction in easy to understand terms, and all have a great sense of humor, making classes fly by, and learning so much easier. Now the bad, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5: the lifeguards are terrible - the have the worst personalities and moods imaginable, extending as far as to bitch at the instructors if the class runs 1 minute over its allotted time. They sit and flirt amongst themselves, and don't seem to take much interest in actually doing their job. Chris, Charlie and Mike's teaching gave me a great boost in confidence in an area I thought I would never be comfortable in. Top class people, I highly recommend signing up with these guys if you're thinking of taking classes. read more

This is a review of the YMCA Volleyball program which encompasses 3 different YMCA branches (Vanderbilt, Westside, & McBurney). Late last year I joined the Westside branch for the 2 international sized squash courts. One day I noticed on the website there was a volleyball session, all levels welcome, and my life has changed ever since! Here is how it works: 1.) You should get a Citywide membership that allows you to attend any YMCA branch in NYC an unlimited number of times. 2.) For beginners / low intermediates, show up on a Wed. night in Westside or Thursday night at McBurney at 7PM. Go to the volleyball courts and introduce yourself to the coach. His name is Kypros V., a super nice guy who will be setting up the net or asking people to sign in). 3.) Once you play for a few sessions, ask the coach to rate your playing. Based on your abilities, you'll be placed in one of the divisions -- beginners play on Tue, early Wed, early Thu, and Sunday nights, advanced players take Mon, late Wed, late Thu, Fri. 4.) Every night is basically a warmup for 20 minutes where people practice bumping, hitting, and serving... then for the rest of the session you play full games with the coach keeping score and acting as referee. Most nights have about 12-18 people showing up and since the coach knows everyone's abilities quite well, he forms fair and balanced teams. 5.) There is no commitment at all -- just show up on the allowed nights for your skill level and enjoy a great game, a nice crowd, and a great workout! At first I came one night every other week, which ramped up to weekly, and has now hit 2-3 times per week! It doesn't take long to get to know most of the pool of players in your skill level; for me that's huge because I gel with teams a lot better once I know the nuances of everyone else's playing style. If you are serious about improving, this is also a great program as you will often be playing alongside some much more skilled players on certain nights. It can be a bit intimidating at first for beginners but everyone is so helpful on giving pointers. I also emailed the coach once for tips and he replied the next day spelling out my strengths (speed and reflexes) -- and my weaknesses (ball control and hitting placement). Then, over the next few sessions he spent a few minutes during the warm-up reviewing my technique! This is an outstanding program for anyone interested in volleyball, whether you played competitively in the past or haven't played since middle school gym. I highly recommend it! read more

My update for this Y isn't a good one. After swimming here a few months, I've found that every swim session is a struggle. The lap pool is way too crowded, and oftentimes, it's 3-4 people per lane, so you have to circle swim with all these people. It is really, really annoying. On top of that, many of the swimmers lack etiquette, and/or are foreign, so they might just jump into your lane without telling you. I'm surprised there aren't as many bump-in accidents in the pool. There are just way too many damn swimmers. At certain times, there are lessons, or club get-togethers, which can take up as many as three lanes, leaving the other three to lap swimmers. Then, you're really screwed! Manhattan sucks because there are so few lap pools. Some aren't even regulation sized, and some cost a month's rent. I really hate Manhattan for this reason. And, as others have noted, the locker rooms are nasty as hell, and the super old men are just nasty. They literally live in the locker rooms, and there are unmentionable things that grow all over their bodies. It's disgusting. I hate this Y. read more

This review is going to be boring, but hopefully informative. Feel free to not FUC it, I know I wouldn't. So I've been a member for a little while since I am semi-non-permanently house-sitting nearby. All the gyms in the area are pricey, since it's East Midtown and all, most are about $100+/month. I was able to get a sweet deal at $70/month for being a full-time student. I don't know about you guys, but $70/month is not really what I think of as a "student rate". In many other neighborhoods, $70/month would get you a pretty extensive membership at a pretty sweet gym. But I digress... This gym is fairly nice. The facilities are very clean, and the hours are pretty extensive. The gym used to be open until midnight, but changed their closing hour to 11pm earlier this year. The cardio room is fairly large, with a fair amount of treadmills and ellipticals, and a few bikes, a stepper or two, and a couple of rowing machines. Their elliptical machines were recently replaced with brand new Life Fitness ones, which seem nice at first, but are uncomfortable for someone as short as me. Their stretching/cool down area leaves MUCH to be desired. If at 2-3 people are stretching, you won't have a mat or a place to stretch. As has been mentioned, the machines in the weight room are a bit old. They work though. I barely use them. I'm not big on classes, but I have taken spinning with a few of their instructors. My favorite is Brent, who teaches on Monday and Wednesday nights. Check out his class if you want to try spinning. As far as the classes offered, they're pretty typical of a YMCA, but for the amount of money people pay, I'd expect even more. I've never tried the pool. A lot of times if I go during the day, it seems like you have to be at least 70 to be allowed in. A definite minus - if you don't like accidentally seeing a lot of old lady skin in the locker room, this might not be the gym for you. One of the most annoying things about this YMCA is that it's a hostel. During the summer it tends to be overrun with European teenagers. It's not that bad but it's annoying to be unable to get through the downstairs area and into the locker room because of a gaggle of 13-year-olds in their PJs. Also, I've been in the cardio room and had several teenagers running around since it was fairly empty (I like to work out after 9pm), working out in jeans and flip flops, and at one point a girl brought in her guitar, serenading her tourist friends while sitting on a treadmill. I guess the security guards get a little lax after the busiest hours. In the end, I'm glad I can belong to a gym with a decent amount of amenities for a decent amount of money per month, with pretty great hours, but I really don't think it's worth it. I've been weighing my options. If you live or work in the area, check it out and see if it's right for you, they often run a special where you don't have to pay a joining fee, solely the monthly membership fees. read more

I will always stay here just for the fact that it's AMAZING location, and super cheap price. Here are some problems that I have always had (been there 3 times, each time with 3+ nights stay): 1) They always seem to run out of toilet paper early evening. It gets super gross in the toilets. My sister and I bought our own from drugstores. I recommend doing that. And get your own wet napkins for the room - so you don't have to keep running back and forth to the rest room if you just need a simple wipe-down. 2) The rugs are gross in the room. No matter what you do, it always seem damp. 3) There is only ONE (duel) outlet in the room for two. NOT ENOUGH!! I had to wake up in the middle of the night just to switch my devices over. Not cool. 4) Chair was missing in our room one time and we repeatedly asked for one and it never came. Really needed it coz there was nowhere to put stuff on. Some Pros beside location and price: 1) Very friendly staff (even if ineffectual sometimes) 2) Clean linens 3) Fridge and TV in room 4) Relatively quiet rooms I'd say if you plan on just exploring the city during the day and you're with a friend who can split a bunk bed room with you this is it. Don't try the other hostels in the city. read more

This is a review for the hostel. First of all you can't beat the price and location. Period. They offer many different types of accommodations to suit just about everyone. The cleanliness is good and the staff a bit gruff if not a bit too New Yorky. We came here with an open mind understanding those trade offs, and you, too, can have a pleasant stay if you are prepared. Check in was pretty straight forward. Every guest should have ID and is identified on the registration form. Yes, despite reservations, you still have to fill out info for everyone in your party. My issue was that I was traveling with my 12 year old. He has no ID. Didn't need it to fly. But they wanted it for check in. For a 12 year old. After a bit of huffing and puffing, they backed off. What was I going to do? Go to CVS and buy one? Our room was a "Deluxe" twin. Means you get a bunk bed, fridge and a table. We had no drawers to put our clothes in. There was a bar and tiny shelf to hang stuff on, but no hangars. Two towels. That's it. No wash cloths. That's a problem, as the showers have soap dispensers. Room is comfy, clean, and bed is fine. Pillows are a bit flat. "Deluxe" also means you get a semi private restroom. That means it's outside your room, but it's a single room that's private while you're in there. It's a combo toilet and shower, so just beware that the floor could be wet. Speaking of... There is no where to put anything in there when you get a shower! A towel barely fits over the paper towel dispenser, but with no toilet lid, your clean clothes end up in the sink! And as I mentioned, no transition area so the whole floor gets wet. One morning, I got up to go use the restroom at 5 am. My key didn't work in any of the restrooms. Didn't work in my room either. Yikes. Went downstairs, no one there but security. He called a security guy who was already waiting for me when I got back to my room. Taser in one hand, key in the other. I still didn't use the restroom. Answer from security? What do you want us to do? We are security. Come back to front desk when they open at 7. But I gotta pee! Go to the 9th, 10th or any other floor with dorm bathrooms. But I paid for a Deluxe. Take it up with front desk. They're closed. See them at 7. Ahhh, New York! -- Lesson here! Test your key for a green light on your door before leaving the room!! -- Pack yourself a washcloth or a fom. There's a nice CVS across the street that you can stock your fridge with snacks, drinks, milk, a shower fom, toiletries, and anything you forgot or couldn't pack because of TSA's 3 oz rule. But they don't sell IDs for minors. Final minor irritation was that they had two pools. Both were for Lane swimming only, no recreation for kids. And everyone had to have a swim cap. They didn't provide. I'm bald for crying out loud. Over all, I'd go again and stay there in a heart beat! Just know before you go!! read more

I am a canadian physician who has experienced a multitude of various facilities in the past twenty years. I am a Y member in canada visiting NY and I attempted to utilize vanderbilt during my stay, since the Y proudly boasts international accessibility. My experience in dealing with the membership and guest staff has been absolutely atrocious. I would only be granted 10 visits with my current Y membership. The process of waiting in line and going through a painful check-in process every visit has shaved a number of hours off of my life that I will never get back. However, what prompted me to write this review was my most recent (and last) visit to vanderbilt. Specifically due to a staff member named Ginette. This woman has absolutely no customer service skills and in fact, has made me feel like an intruder signing in as a guest on more than one occasion. I have also witnessed the same thing happening to other customers in this last month. Today, she actively watched me stand in line for 18 minutes, before proceeding to help people who arrived long after I did. When I asked another agent if they could quickly check me in because I had been ignored, I was told I still had to wait. Ginette became aggressive and abruptly began to raise her voice at me unnecessarily, as she knew exactly what I had complained about, which had put a dent in the power trip she had been enjoying all the while. Although this gym is not my home facility, I will be promptly canceling my Y membership. I do not pay $55 per month to be treated like a piece of trash by anyone who associates with the YMCA. Oh, and the facilities-equipment is good, but the layout of the gym requires a comprehensive map to navigate. read more

Facilities are pretty good, the renovated weight room in particular. Lap pool is decent, the temperature is a bit on the cold side for me, but I may just be a baby. Despite it being busy, I could always find space. Andrew and Brent who teach kettleball and strength training classes are awesome, amazing. However, their customer service leaves much, much to be desired, which is why I'm no longer a member. I was with my ex once. We were waiting to see a membership rep because a glitch in the system was saying she had not paid for the past month. She had called sometime before, and they acknowledged it was a computer error, and told her to come in to straighten it out. At 8am, she walks up and asks, "Are you someone I can talk to about membership?" The front desk clerk bites her head off, "I'm here. What do you think?" ??? We were there because of their mistake; she has a busy work schedule and can't always make it in for their membership hours. But we came in way early because they said so. Incredible to be treated like this. Not worth the attitude. No excuse for the attitude from staff. Btw, she's also been harassed several times by the security guards because her card was coming up as 'delinquent' when as mentioned above, it was a simple computer error. I don't think basic politeness is too much to ask, unless it is here. No thanks. read more

This is for the hotel part, not the gym. When I arrived I thought 'How nostalgic - small rooms and communal bathrooms, just like my college dorm.' But there were three major problems: 1. Cleaning was minimal. In the bedrooms I'm not 100% sure the beds were changed (they were changed once during my 4 night stay, which is maybe environmentally better but makes me wonder about when guests leave). The bathrooms, while not disgusting, could have used some better cleaning. 2. Bathroom faucet let out brown water a couple times. 3. Window A/C units didn't cool well if at all (as in, it was uncomfortably hot making it hard to sleep). There are two things that area lacking (could be an issue for some, but not necessarily if you treat the place like a cheap dorm room meant just for sleeping): 1. Super small rooms (as in 1/2 - 2/3 the size of dorm rooms I've stayed in), and not all rooms have desks. 2. No breakfast at all. The good things are that the place is super cheap, it's a good location in Manhattan, gym access is included (I didn't try the gym), and staff is nice enough. But I'm not sure the benefits are worth the first three problems read more

I stayed here for 6 nights in March 2016. First off, check in can be a sort of long process. Staff seems relatively new, and so that may have been the reason why. Also expect the front desk to be closed past 11PM, in which case you would have to talk to security to check in. Next, if you are a younger traveler, expect to be given a room in the higher floors. This is the BAD part. If you are in floors 8-10, this is where they place large groups who are typically teenagers traveling in groups from Europe. I was placed in the 10th floor which was a terrible experience. The walls were dusty, and had holes. The room was run down, and the people in the hallways were loud and distracting. I didn't want to sit in my room AT all. I had a truly terrible first experience. Finally, I decided to complain to the staff and was given a room on the 4th floor. Things were SIGNIFICANTLY better. The room was clean, the bathroom was even cleaner, and the other guests were quiet and kept to themselves. The rest of my trip was GREAT and it met all my expectations. Obviously, it's not the cleanest hotel, but it would fit most of your needs. Room cleaning service staff was polite, and the restrooms were awesome. My only tip is be prepared to wait to use the restroom in the morning (8-10AM). As far as hotel services itself, there was some basic stuff. I never used the pool or sauna, but I did go into the weights room which seemed outdated and old. I went on my first day and that was the end of that. As I mentioned before, staff seems undertrained, and there have been times when I've walked into arguments and it was very awkward to say the least. Definitely ask for a thicker blanket as it does get cold in the night sometimes. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this place UNLESS you were traveling solo or with a group of friends who were under 30. It's not the cleanest of hotels, and you won't want to stay inside for too long. It can get noisy throughout the day, so sleep might be hard to come by. Although it is in walking distance of everything, and not in a terrible neighborhood, there's still better options. Expect an OK staff, decent room, decent bathroom, and OK experience. For the value, it's great. But if you're willing to spend more money, definitely do it. It'll work for a couple nights, but after about 6 days at the hotel, I was about ready to go home. read more