I stayed at the Broadway Hotel & Hostel for just one night, and my overall impression was good. Its in a good location, had friendly staff and was clean. I had a private room with private bathroom, and although it was small, it was very pleasant. Downsides included the very slow elevator and the fact that the place was a bit too warm, especially the lounge area. Free wireless was good, but its only in the lounge. The $5 key deposit was a bit annoying, and so was the $2 per bag fee to store them, but none of these downsides detracted from the experience. I would more than likely stay again if I was looking for something reasonably priced in the Upper West side.

Even on first impression this place was dodgy.. there was a HUGE line at reception, people had all sorts of problems so we got to listen to that while we waited to check in. I don't think the staff were to blame but they hadn't been given much authority - their standard response was to see the Manager who 'wasn't in right now'. (Every time we came through reception it seem the manager was 'unavailable' even at times when he was scheduled to be there.)

We eventually checked in and they told us that we'd have to change rooms part way through our 6 night stay as for some reason with 6 months notice they couldn't accommodate us.

The one lift was reeeeeeally slow and barely big enough for the 3 of us and our luggage.

Our room was basic but looked clean enough. However, 2 of us got bed bugs after night 1 (both top bunks) while our friend in the bottom bunk was fine.

We left the next day without a refund. The lift was broken so we had to lug our bags down the stairs...

We used the Internet there to book another hotel but half the machines were broken so we had to wait in line there too. The printer took your money but didn't print out anything and reception was unable to do anything without the Manager!

This hotel is also apparently (as we were told by a local on our train into NY) above the imaginary line (which I think is around 85th St) where you shouldn't stay!

Pluses: there was a nice Diner nearby... yeah that's all I can think of! The hotel isn't really near anything sightseeing-wise but it's not a huge walk to the Subway or shops, etc.

Oh and on our first night we saw RATS on the footpath outside the hotel! I know it's NY but still...