Shared kitchen

Reviews of International Students Residence

1.5 out of 5
International Students Residence
341 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY

Reviews

6.2
Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 530 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 139 out of 530 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 133 out of 530 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 79 out of 530 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 92 out of 530 reviews" "

7.2/10

Cleanliness

6.8/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Joseph

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Quontayzia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good for the price!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Anne, Detroit

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Some of the front desk were not polite. No hair dryers available in the bathroom, you need to ask the front desk (with an ID) even when she had my room number. No ceiling in the rooms. This is unbelievable. I could hear everyone voice and noises. Some guests were aware of that and tried to keep that as quiet as possible. You cannot rely on guests for a quiet room. I could hear the entire night my 'neighbor' snoring. People in and out during the whole night.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Room comfort
Enraged !
THEY TURNED THE HEAT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! I went to bed decently warm and woke up freezing with a damn cold/flu. The blankets they give aren’t blankets they’re thin sheets. There’s no roof and thin walls so whatever is happening in the next room YOU CAN HEAR. Noisy noisy alarms ringing at 6 sum in the morning. Yes it’s a cheap stay but not worth your health or sleep! Only go here if you’re very very desperate. I’m so sick and angry Dirty towels being re used to the next guest because they only wash their towels and blankets every TWO days. I stayed one night and gtfo of there omg never again
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Shower water was cold, bed liner was not changed regularly. My room is near the subway line, and was very loud in the night.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Was decent for location and overall comfort. Would of made a massive difference if the walls of the rooms went all the way to the ceiling so it’s not like being in a dorm
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Could be slightly biased review as my room was next to the subway line and I am a light sleeper so didn't get much sleep. Also the walls in the rooms did not go to the ceiling which meant that noise from other rooms could be heard clearly.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The hostel was in a great location to catch the subway, very easy to get in and out of Manhattan. The hostel it’s self was fine. I booked a private room but when I arrived I noticed there was no roof (other hostel websites I looked at specified this on their website so you knew what you were getting). When I arrived I noticed my towel was dirty and had marks all over it. The bathroom showers/toilets were only frosted glass so you could see the people next to you while in the bathroom which wasn’t fun. There were no hand dryers or towels to dry your hands either. If you are a light sleeper don’t stay here because you can hear literally every noise from every person on the whole floor since none of the rooms have a roof. Over all it was fine but I wouldn’t stay there again. There are cheaper and better hostels in Manhattan. I also emailed Expedia to ask questions and haven’t heard anything from them in over 2 weeks which is disappointing since I’ve normally had great experiences with them
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

DMITRII

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hostel is noisy (tains are close), but generally is nice.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

John

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
They don't care about thier customers
They were completely unaccommodating. I thought an inexpensive room would require a small security deposit. They demanded more then the Hyatt, more then the Candlewood, more then the entire cost of the stay and more than the cost of damage someone could cause sans walking out the door with the bed since that was the only thing in the room. They refused to accept the money I had since it wasn't the fee they demanded. I had no where to go after ten at night so I missed my class, had my night ruined. Not to mention how hard it was to talk to them with the trains going by so loud no one could talk till after they passed. I don't know if I would've gotten any sleep there
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

6/10 Okay

Layli

Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

Paul

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Give me back my money
Arial Metro station next to the the building, lots of noise and trembling when the train passes due to extremely bad building isolation. No roof in each room so we hear everything on the floor at 3am, including screams, couples and snoring. Only two showers for a floor with more than 30 rooms and one of the two doesn't even work. The receptionist also needs to speak louder if we want to have more info during check-in. Overall terrible experience. Would defenitively not recommend as a hostel for NYC.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

George

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

George

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy and clean
I just needed to get some rest between work shifts and although you can hear some people here and there because their is no ceiling to each room/cubicle the beds are clean and comfy the bathrooms are also clean. I would do it again.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved how clean the restrooms were , the rooms amd the kitchen I only think they could improve the way how those crazy cards that opened the door always got unavailable to use if you put them close to your phone 📲 and many times I had to go to the receptionist to make it available to use again
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the room was so small, and there wasn't any elevator so we needed to carry all the stuff by ourself
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Frankie, Seattle

This is as basic as it gets, but mostly reasonable for the price. There are some things that make it worse than it should be, though: The cleaning service was supposed to be every two days, but it clearly didn't happen. The "clean" towels were stained, the trash would stay in the trashcan for days, carpets were never vacuumed. The kitchen is next door, meaning you literally have to go outside (in the freezing cold if it's winter) to get there. And it's not always open. The walls don't go all the way up, so you can hear everyone on the floor. People are asked not to be loud after 9pm, but nobody enforces that. Earplugs help a little, but cannot fully cut out a hairdryer at midnight or the morning chorus of alarms.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is great, price is too good - and for that you will pay in cleanliness. The bathroom was terribly dirty, partly on account of humans being generally disgusting and having no regard for their environment when they’re paying so little to be there, and partly on account of the bathrooms being cleaned but once (if that?) per day. Bathrooms are gendered, and for whatever reason there are 2 men’s rooms per floor and just 1 women’s. 3 showers and 3 toilets for a floor of 30+ rooms, many of which have multiple tenants. Washrooms are not heated and have no ventilation, coating everything in a nice layer of steam condensation. Walls, stalls, toilets, and toilet paper - all dripping. They put out one cloth bath mat per shower/day. On the third day of my stay they posted notices that morning that there would be no hot water from 9am-4pm. Provided bedding is 1 pillow, flat sheet, and a throw blanket. My room was rather in the middle of the building, I can’t imagine the noise/vibrations from the MTA you would feel if staying nearest the street. No extra care was taken in insulating the building against the subway and every 5-10 minutes it sounds like a cannon firing. Explore other accommodation options if you can.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Linh

Business traveler
Liked: Staff & service
Some toilets broke. One shower broke. No hook to hang clothes in the bathroom/shower. Not enough hot water. Not have pen and label to label food. No hair blower.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I was upgraded from a 6-bed dorm to a 2-bed dorm, which was nice. However, the rooms are not really rooms. It's one giant room with partitions/walls to make separate rooms. However, the partitions do not go all the way to the ceiling, so you can hear everything on the entire floor and even see light from others' rooms. In addition, you can even climb over the partitions into other "rooms." Very noisy, no sleep, and the smoke alarm went off at 1:30 in the morning, waking everyone up. Water pressure in the shower was very low, and you have to smushed yourself against the shower wall to get any water at all. Very close to the Marcy stop on the J and Z lines, and staff was super helpful and friendly. Thanks to the Belarusian guy for the recommendations. Ultimately, I would not stay here again because of the noise. In fact, I cancelled my stay on my way back through NYC at the end of the month and am looking for some other accommodation.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had requested a lower bunk due to health reasons and not being able to climb up on a top bunk and they accommodated me with no problem check in and out was smooth! Definitely will stay again. This was my second time already.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff were very friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Michael

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nasty
Disgraceful customer service and rooms are not change with New sheets and towels and dust all over the place in the rooms and very disgusting.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

SKP, St. Paul

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good to stay! I was traveling alone and it’s very affordable place to stay while being in costliest city in the states. I like this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

Elysa

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

2/10 Terrible

Chineze

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Go elsewhere..
Somewhat convenient, if in slightly sketchy location. I think two rooms per floor have windows - and these are so close to the subway if it had one of those I'd have been hesitant to open the window! (On the third floor at least this only seems to be two single rooms). It's also at the level of the third floor - you can see them passing through the window. They say rooms are serviced daily and beds changed every two days, however my bin was emptied once in three days and the changed bedding was a stained towel and a clean sheet left on the bed. (The ladies who cleaned were friendly), some staff seemed nice enough, some had quite the attitude - if you go it's easy to work out who is who. You're woken up by any neighbours turning lights on as the ceiling doesn't reach to the top and it's always a fun surprise on arrival when you're asked for a deposit, without any forewarning! The second floor should be okay - however carrying a 20kg suitcase up some pretty steep stairs isn't a fun experience by any stretch, nor is arriving to the area your room is in, to find it smelling rather unpleasant. I had to take to sleeping with headphones on (as often the 10:30pm "quiet time" wasn't adhered to) and with a hat to cover my eyes for when a neighbour decided they needed to turn their lights on at 3am! Whilst I was there I overheard another guest (yes, you can hear everything no matter how hard you try not to!) mention he was leaving due to the heat in the rooms.
The subway passes next to the window (at full volume)
Gaps above each “room” allow all of your neighbours light into your “room”
The extent of the “room”, no window - a small twin bed and a sheet and thin blanket.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

2/10 Terrible

Amanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad customer service
Didn’t get to stay Flights in CA were delayed so I wouldn’t of made it to NYC till the next day. I called before my stay and they said they could cancel my trip
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Anna on Nov 29, 2019
Dear Amanda, Thank you for choosing International Student Residence. We always appreciated honest and thoughtful review. However, I see you did not stay with us neither experienced our accommodation or services. If your flight was cancelled you will need to contact Airline you booked your flight thru as well as Expedia were you booked your accommodation and discus about cancellation and reimbursement. Thank you, Anna

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was told I had to pay an additional $50 security deposit through a credit card, and even though I left the room in good condition and followed the rules of the hostel, the money was not reimbursed.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
good time ! cheap price.
Ok if you want to be close of subway and Williamsburg vibe!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

Serag

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like that it was clean. Residents were very respectful of others, specially keeping up with the nighttime silent schedule. I like the rule that food cannot be taken into the rooms. The rooms are very small, and not having food smells worked great for me. I did not like that upon arrival they made a photocopy of my credit card. This is not a common practice in the US, and it endangers the safety of my bank account. The reasons I was given for doing a photocopy of my card had no sense at all. I did not like that the lockers are very small. I couldn't even put my laptop inside. Advice: Avoid the rooms that are right by the subway. It is extremely noisy. The hostel gives earplugs for free at the reception desk, but they are not sealed, everybody touches them.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Victor, Dominican Republic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The location is the best of the property. Have the subway line M, J and G too close.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loud and the showers were ice cold and dirty. There are no duvet covers .
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was clean, rooms where ok, but you could hear everything from other rooms, too dark at night and only one bathroom for women... and two for men
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

4/10 Poor

Ahmed

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Linh

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Need an elevator!
We do need an elevator. The steps to go to my room was stiff and dangerous!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jesse, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
You get what you paid for and this place was perfect for me. I read reviews of people complaining about the subway noise; the front desk has ear plugs for you to use. I used them but woke up in the mornings without them and I slept through whatever noise there was and it wasn’t even bad at all. I used the kitchen next door in the mornings to cook my breakfast and stored my food in the available refrigerators. The WiFi worked well on all floors. All of the front desk staff where pleasant and helpful. I’d definitely recommend this hostel. House keeping comes in the mornings, the bathrooms were clean, as were the common areas.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019