Interfaith Retreats

Do. Not. Recommend. Horrible horrible place. Firstly the showers were super disgusting with mold on the walls and the curtains. Secondly, my mattress was super thin, yet super hard, with a hard bulge in the center of it. Couldn't sleep at all. Never go to a place that has visible mold!

Stayed here for 3 nights on the run up to Christmas from the uk. Brilliant service from staff who are very approachable. Pods are clean and other guests follow the rules on being quiet and respectful. The breakfast bar is practical and a range of fruits ect is good. Close to times square, penn Station, empire state building and other landmarks. The building is guarded throughout the day by security guards who make sure you are a guest. You must use a fob to get yourself into the building and also unlock your floor so the place is very secure. Thank you so much, toby

The hostel is modest, but clean, secure-feeling, and conveniently located. I found it quiet I pack ear plugs and very comfortable. I'll stay again for sure.Rooms: 5/5

Definitely recommend for the excellent location and staff. Rooms almost claustrophobically small but very comfortable. Door security 24/7. Nearby activities: Very close proximity especially theater and metro station. Safety: Excellent Walkability: Safe and very well located

The location is amazing as it is in the center of Manhattan.The staff are always there to assist and help. The small and cozy cabins are very clean and have just what you need as a solo traveler. Breakfast is included but very limited. There is no elevator, which means people with huge bags and people with disabilities might struggle going up the stairs.

Delightful welcome and genuine desire to see you have a good stay. The connection to supporting food programs, is peerless. It is comfortable, secure and cozy. I liked the lack of television and aim to let guests know not to bang their doors or babble at high decibels on their cellphones. My case was heavy and I had difficulty getting up the stairs. Alex came down and helped me up the stairs, to check in. I have stayed at 5 star hotels where they have just looked at me, struggling through the door, priming the credit card machine to take a deposit equal to the GDP of a small country. A communal area with books and sofas all add up to a lovely stay. Guests are welcome to volunteer on the days the meals are served to those in need..welcome but not expected. It is run by genuine, gentle people who create an atmosphere, you will not forget. I learnt some good lessons during my short stay. I love this place.

This might be a tad late as a review I stayed for 4 nights April 13-16, 2022 but I just want to express my appreciation of Interfaith Retreats as run by Alex & Zeena. The place was well-maintained as far as cleanliness and availability of bathroom/toilet essentials were concerned and the house rule of no unnecessary noise from guests are gently enforced when needed - most welcome especially at night due to the fact that unfortunately the cubicles are constructed not with thick or noise-proof materials next to each other in a row. But, hey, for the price and it's central Manhattan location, one can put up with minor personal constraints, can't one? Besides, with the name of the business clearly suggesting a religious orientation, one should come to Interfaith Retreats ready to experience an oasis in a chaotic city. And this was immediately palpable as soon as I stepped inside its 2nd-floor, up-a-long-vertical-staircase premises. About the cubicles, BTW, I would say that the size was enough for a guest traveling light, say, with only a suitcase and/or a backpack - like I did - what with the single bed and a small table occupying most of the space. Hence, rating it 3 stars. But they're undeniably upfront about it in the description of their offered accommodation. And for a short-term stay of enjoying NYC to the max and coming back to the room only to sleep and do some computer work to end or begin one's Big Apple adventures, surely this can be an issue that can be overlooked, can't it? For somebody who likes to start the day with fruits - coffee a little later - I loved that there was always a variety of fresh fruits in the salon buffet for guests to take for breakfast or snacks the whole day. The coffee I had to buy from a nearby 8th Avenue deli since the place didn't provide it as a matter of dietary choice vegan/vegetarian? - can't remember which. As for the staff, they were chill-friendly and have my highest commendation for being nicely accommodating. The young lady at the reception smilingly allowed me to leave my luggage in the reception when I came much earlier than the designated check-in time. I was then able to go out and check out the neighborhood while my cubicle/room was being prepared. Oh, and thanks to Alex for helping me bring down my main luggage after I checked out. He didn't have to... Would I want to stay at Interfaith Retreats again if I have the chance in the near future? You betcha!

BEST KEPT SECRET IN MANHATTAN!!! This hostel is wonderful! Perfect for solo travelers seeking peace, comfort, and affordability. The location is near Penn Station, restaurants, and Times Square. Jason and Alex are the most gracious and knowledgeable hosts! Checking in was the best experience!Rooms: 5/5

I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to stay here for the 24 hours that I was visiting NYC. I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere more than anything: the pictures of saints and gurus and gods, the diverse literature, the plentiful fruits and other foods available throughout the day, the highly friendly staff, the overall cleanliness and neatness, all contributed to making a very cozy space that I was happy to reside in. I felt blessed to have found such a calm and cozy space in the middle of the urban chaos of NYC. As I was considering how I should spend the night in NYC, I was undecided about this hostel, but the thing that won me over was learning that much of the money earned by this enterprise is used directly in financing food relief programs for homeless and those in need in NYC. I haven't seen many other reviews mention this part, but when I learned that my money was being put to good use and not just filling the pockets of some real estate monger I became very pleased. There are a number of reviews that offer warnings about the minimal comforts, and some of them take off quite a few stars because of the accommodations. I recommend that first-timers heed those reviews, because it really is very basic living here. For me, that was exactly what I wanted and needed; I just wanted a bed, some wifi, a place to sit and read, and a place to leave my luggage. The cozy atmosphere and tasty fruits and tea were a nice bonus. In short, if you are looking for some extra comforts and elegance, you may indeed not wish to stay here. But if you like to travel light, simple, and/or on a budget, this place will serve you well. You will not find a friendlier staff and cozier atmosphere than you'll find at this place, and you'll not find hosts who spend their earnings as honorably as the owners do here.

I stayed here in July of 2018. PLEASE RESEARCH THESE REVIEWS BEFORE BOOKING YOUR STAY. There is a reason this place is so affordable for being located in midtown manhattan. It’s a unique experience that many would consider an absolute nightmare. It was a decent fit for me because I was traveling alone and out in the city all day, so I really needed a place to sleep and shower by myself. The rooms are literally 15 6’x4’ closets crammed into a long NYC loft. Quite frankly, I’m surprised this place is legal and it’s the kind of thing you’d expect to find on a third world country. That being said, the staff was extremely kind, and upon returning home late every night always came out of the office to check in if I was okay. I appreciated the care. The other reviews are right, aside from the 4 thin walls you sleep in and the door with a pad lock you use to protect yourself, there is absolutely no privacy. The bathrooms are communal/co ed, and the “rooms” have no ceiling so there is no sound proofing. You can hear *everything* in every room. If you need a CHEAP space to lay your head and don’t mind truly roughing it, this will do. If you have any hope for a relaxing hotel experience, this is NOT for you. The reason this gets a 3 star instead of a 1 star is I think it delivers on what it promises: a hyper cheap and potentially-illegal sleeping location in the heart of NYC.