Name: KAMA CENTRAL PARK
Address: 36 West 106TH St. West Wing, Manhattan Valley, New York, New York (and vicinity), New York, United States of America, New York (and vicinity), New York County, US
Price range: US$191–US$317 per night
Rating: 7.97

What guests think

Across the reviews, KAMA CENTRAL PARK is praised for its excellent location by Central Park and nearby subways, friendly staff, and clean, privacy‑focused pods that offer solid value for budget travelers.

Guests like the café and shared areas, though amenities are basic and there is no elevator. Noise from doors, fans, and heating, as well as warm or stuffy top pods and thin bedding, are recurring drawbacks. Cleanliness is generally good, but shared kitchens/fridges and the occasional room can fall short, and some report check‑in miscommunication or strict ID policies. Expect a simple, well‑located hostel stay with privacy pods and few frills.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Facilities are basic: a small café, kitchen/fridge, outdoor rooftop/patio spaces, lockers and luggage storage. Reviews note ongoing renovations at times, limited lounge areas, a not‑truly‑private “private” shower, and no elevator.

Related guest reviews

10

Aaron

26 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

Regular outlet, usb and usb-c charging for personal use inside bed area as well as a small shelf/light. Clean showers and bathrooms. Common area has seating, filtered water, tv, and A/C. Small kitchen with fridge and utensils. Small outdoor seating area. Subway station 3 blocks away from the property.

6

Douglas

2 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

No elevator - no fun carrying luggage up 5 flights of stairs😕

8

Sandra

16 May 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Good staff. Bed is clean, efficient air conditioner and outlets, lockers, but bring your own lock. They are still doing construction in the main public kitchen area,but you still can sit, hang out, eat and work when there's not construction.

10

Barbra

10 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

If you don't mind no lift this is a fabulous hostel. The pods are great. The staff give the joint personality and although the area is lacking shops the cafe is serving some great beverages and continental breakfast. Its just by Central Park, so tempting to walk it.

8

Jaelin

20 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I loved the distance from the subway and the distance from Central Park! The staff was nice and they had a rooftop area and dining area to hang out in. They do have a "private shower" option that costs extra that isn't actually private but is a shower used by yourself and the others in the room as opposed to the one in the hallway used by the other guests.

8

Karen

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

This was my second stay at Kama. The first stay was in 2023. I have a lot of good things to say about the place. Most importantly: I feel safe in the building and in the neighborhood. The hostel is reasonably priced, reasonably clean, and reasonably comfortable. I was disappointed to find that the communal fridge was no longer on the main floor --- it is now in the basement, down a flight of stairs, in a tiny and not-very-clean room. But overall, I'm happy with Kama. It will continue to be my first choice when I'm visiting NYC as a solo traveler.

10

Tarun

11 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff is very nice Space is clean and nice Rooftop garden sanitation Locality Citibikes Beautiful parks Restaurant I stayed 3 nights its was very peaceful and beautiful I would recommend everyone and everytime i visit NYC this is gonna be place to stay

10

Sophia

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Especially as far as hostels and even inexpensive lodging this is definitely a fantastic option. Very reasonable prices, options for sharing a room with only one other person, controllable temperature in your own pod (it doesn't have like extreme settings but does helps and while like any AC unit etc it doesn't also have a noise to it but honestly it's almost like a 'white noise' for sleeping, it's not bothersome at all, and can be a bit soothing. The staff is very sweet and efficient, there's only one person checking people in but I find them to be conscientious of lines and timeliness. There a Small cafe in the lobby with nicely priced options for coffees, fresh pressed juices, breakfast (avo toast etc) fresh fruit and more. Definitely recommend if you don't need a spacious room and are just looking for a safe clean comfortable and affordable place to stay in Manhattan - and right off of the park too!

8

adrian

19 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

1st night was really hot in the pod and had to get a small towel and put cold water on it so i could fall asleep, 1 of the 2 colling fans was barely working. However night 2,3 and 4 were much cooler but i did have the cooling run all the time. The bed was comfortable and the luggage storage was free which i liked, the bagels and coffee was also a nice touch. Overall the experience was good apart from my towels going missing 2 days in a row so had to go to reception and ask for replacement ones

10

MARILYN Y

12 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Female-only dorm. Plenty of shower & toilet facilities. Good security. Good cafe with outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch & dinner available. Wish there were better commons lounge areas.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Most guests find pods, bathrooms, and common areas clean, with several praising consistently tidy showers. Some report dirty or cluttered shared kitchens/fridges or floors, occasional odors or pests, and issues like small or clogged shower areas.

Related guest reviews

10

Daniela

8 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Overall I really enjoyed staying at Kama. The capsule bed gave privacy, with a private bathroom inside the room, and a another shared shower & toilet outside. There was a locker in the room. Stayed in the 2nd floor so didn't need to walk up a lot of stairs. The shared kitchen was a bit messy/dirty, but that's more up to the guests to make sure they clean after themselves. The location was great, with subway a few minutes away, and right next to central park. Will definitely stay again when visiting nyc.

8

Stephen

6 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 10 nights

For a hostel, it was pretty decent. Cleaner than most hotels I've stayed in for much higher prices.

10

Kadie

6 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Very clean and chic. The environment is nice and quiet. Will be back again!

8

QUETIA

14 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It's a very nice property, the staffs are very welcoming and helpful. My only concerne was the cleanliness of the kitchen, particularly the guests fridge.

10

Joseph Shamil

24 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Literally the best place to spend the night. The staff is so welcoming, and super friendly. This is my third time staying at Kama and it’s the best decision every single time. The bathrooms are always clean, very affordable and comfortable. Love Kama!

6

Nian

24 May 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

It's not quiet, the doors in the hallway are loud. The shower area is very small and the drain is clogged.

6

Niyyah

20 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The place is conveniently located, and the service in the cafe is friendly in the morning. The showers and bathrooms were quite clean for a hostel and in general people were super kind and accommodating. I had a few strange encounters with staff and some good ones. The floor of my shared room was pretty dirty, and I arrived the same day as the other person in my dorm so it didn't seem like it was clean prior to our arrival. however, the common spaces were fine.

10

Jane

28 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location...clean. convenient

4

Steven

16 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Room smelled of urine. Lockers in room needed to be wiped down.

2

Gregory

11 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Too many ants and air conditioner wasn’t working properly

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Pods provide privacy and reasonable comfort in compact spaces, with lockers and some in‑pod controls/charging. Common drawbacks are noise from doors/fans, warm or stuffy top pods with limited temperature control, thinner mattresses/pillows, and occasional loose or limited power ports.

Related guest reviews

6

Warren

15 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

Everything was great from check-in to check-out. The bed was comfortable and the hostel is generally clean. Unfortunately, my room was SUPER warm and had no temperature control so I was basically sweating every night in the room and when you slide your capsule door open, it’s even worse

10

Hannah

9 May 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

The only bad thing I have to say about Kama Central Park is that the top pods are ovens, especially if they're near the radiator in the room. Otherwise, this was the second nicest gostel I have ever stayed in!

10

Roxas

8 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great place. I stayed at HI Hostel the night before, and I prefer the completely enclosed 'pods' at Kama and how it locks, so it can also act as your luggage storage. Only issue I had was that there are ONLY two USB ports inside the bunk, and they both seemed broken - they would not charge my phone fast enough and it died while charging.

10

Daniela

8 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Overall I really enjoyed staying at Kama. The capsule bed gave privacy, with a private bathroom inside the room, and a another shared shower & toilet outside. There was a locker in the room. Stayed in the 2nd floor so didn't need to walk up a lot of stairs. The shared kitchen was a bit messy/dirty, but that's more up to the guests to make sure they clean after themselves. The location was great, with subway a few minutes away, and right next to central park. Will definitely stay again when visiting nyc.

8

Amanda

23 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was fine. The down side was doors slamming all night. I’m not a light sleeper, but being in the room next to the staircase on the first floor and across from the bathroom made it hard to sleep. Both of those doors don’t close quietly, so every time they would close they would slam really loudly. The doors on the beds close kind of loud too so if you’re in a room with someone that comes back really late like I was, that will probably wake you up too. The beds were clean and comfortable though. I’m just over 5’6 and I could sit up comfortably in the bed and had plenty of room to lay down and move around a bit.

8

Paul

11 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

First time as hostel user and a good choice. I had a two male pod. Things were as described. Couple of things, bring a small lock for the room lockers and test. I had to Mcgiver the latch. The garden is nice to get outside. The pod looks like it has a latch but they don’t function(maybe a safety thing?). The men’s bathrooms were clean and plenty of hot water. Bring ear plugs as 106th and Central Park West are “popular” roads for sirens. I’d be back.

10

Courtney

11 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

When I stay in New York, I want a place where I can sleep well after a day of adventuring, and honestly— Kama Central is the best sleep I’ve had in NYC. The pods offer more noise cancellation and privacy than normal hostels, but be prepared for some tight quarters as far as storing and accessing your luggage! The best part of Kama Central was having awesome staff to chat with and offer help! Izzy was particularly helpful and she made my stay that much more memorable!!

8

Susan

3 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Overall, the location was great, the front desk was helpful and friendly, the cafe was a great space to hang out or have a morning coffee, and the bathrooms and rooms were clean. Comfort: The mattresses were thin, the pillow old and flat, 1 thin blanket, 1 rough towel. My podmates were considerate and as quiet as possible. I liked being able to close the door to my "pod" and loved the light control, but it was not actually quiet. A pod is essentially a metal bunk bed with a box around it, so you can hear squeaks with every toss and turn. Also I was never sure if my roommate was there in their pod with the doors closed and sleeping, so I didn't feel comfortable unzipping my suitcase, rummaging for what I needed and getting changed, just in case I was disturbing them. I wished I knew if they were there or not. I don't think pods are for me. I will pay for a room next time.

10

Cedric

27 May 2023

·

Stayed 6 nights

Overall pretty nice. The pods are quite good for privacy, though the construction could be improved on. The main issue is size (I'm 6'3", while I could lay down flat, I was touching both ends), and the noise of the fan. The USB ports could probably also be tightened (they work, but are loose). However, that can be overlooked for the privacy it gives and the noise insulation from the other dormmates. Location is fantastic, a short walk away from the subway, and right next to Central Park. Food options nearby are also really good, with Mama's TOO (really good pizza) not far away, as well as Saiguette (tasty Banh Mi). Staff are also kind and helpful. Though I think if they had access to a list of recommendations/physical maps it'd take it from a 9.5/10 to 10/10.

10

Christina

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

This was my first hostel and such an amazing experience ! I absolutely loved the cabins and they were clean and comfortable. It reminded me of camp. The only possible suggestion I’d have would be it would be nice to have a little shelf inside the cabin to put my glasses on (I am completely blind without them and need to have them even in the middle of the night).

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Staff are widely described as friendly, welcoming, and helpful. A minority mention miscommunication about check‑in times, strict ID/local‑guest policies, slow responses, or occasional unhelpful interactions.

Related guest reviews

10

Shane

23 May 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing staff! You guys are the best❤️

10

Bhagavath

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Really friendly staff

2

Edward

11 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check was listed as 3:00 but at the desk they said 4:00. We had a commitment at 4:00, they held our bags.

2

Mohammad

5 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

They refuse to let me stay because my ID was from NY Haven’t recovers my money yet

8

Francis

17 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Got stuck with a snorer above me, but somehow they have an air system in the pod that sounds like a white noise which was able to help me sleep. I also didn’t have a towel in my pod (you get a linen/thick sheets, pillow and towel), but the front desk was so amazing about it and corrected the issue right away! He was super awesome. Front desk is very friendly and helpful.

10

Joseph Shamil

28 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff is so kind, and helpful. Definitely booking again for my next trip. The bathroom and showers were so clean. Awesome place to stay and close to the train station.

2

Brendan

5 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

My stay at the hostel was not the most comfortable. At check-in, I requested a different room code, but the front desk agent refused to accommodate my request, leaving me frustrated and uneasy. Additionally, my roommate had noticeable hygiene issues, which made the shared space unpleasant—strong odors, particularly from their feet, made resting difficult. While the hostel itself had the basics covered, better customer service and improved cleanliness in shared spaces would have made the stay more enjoyable.

10

Jarret

17 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This an easy 5/5 for its category. A no frills, budget friendly option, with friendly and helpful staff. It was a short stay and I didn’t need much. The staff made it easy from checking my bags to get me set up at check-in. I was fortunate to have respectful roommates. The pod was big enough to sit up straight inside which was a relief.

2

Pablo

19 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

There is no elevator, the staff is unfriendly, the beds are very uncomfortable. I do not recommend staying here. For the price, there are better hostels in New York, such as Hi, New York, which is a few blocks away.

10

Jazmin

11 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I always stay here when I come in over the bridge from Jersey for work. The staff is kind especially Haven. This time around I messes up my reservation and booked through the wrong days. Haven went out of her way to fix the booking and accommodate me. Most places would’ve turned me away. Forever appreciative. I also really love the pods even though they get a little stuffy. However the level of privacy trumps that every time.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Excellent for Central Park access and subways within a few blocks, in a safe, pleasant neighborhood with eateries nearby. A convenient base for getting around Manhattan.

Related guest reviews

10

Joseph

1 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location just off Central Park. Very happy with the location, nice neighborhood with many affordable restaurants to select from just 2 or 3 blocks away.

8

Brian

8 May 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

The location was quiet enough to get a good night's sleep, and all the other guests seemed respectful of that. Appreciate the desk being staffed by approachable, helpful people all through the day and night. It's a great location for the subway downtown in no time, but also for access to the park. Good to come back in the early evening after a crazy day out and about, get changed and go jog in Central park, just a minute away, come back, warm shower and head a few blocks over to loads of restaurants and bars.

10

Zoe

2 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was literally right next to Central Park and by a subway line, so transportation was super easy. I always felt safe. Everyone was super quiet and friendly

10

Alexander

6 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Location was the best. Subway only 3 streets over which had direct line to downtown. Staff are very friendly.

10

Sergio

26 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

good price and excellent location

10

Krzysztof

18 May 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

Best place to stay in Manhattan for a budget traveler, close to two subway stations and next to Central Park. Fast connections to the rest of New York tourist attractions.

8

Donggyun

28 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location

10

Carlos

4 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Cool mellow area near Central Park

10

Mickey Charles

9 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Loved the location walkable to everywhere you want to go

10

Michaela

10 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Three blocks from the subway station and across the street from Central Park. I've stayed in hostels all over the world and I would say this is a pretty great one. It's definitely a hostel...but the location is amazing.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

The on‑site café is appreciated, and free morning bagels and coffee are a simple perk. Several guests found the “breakfast” very basic or underwhelming.

Related guest reviews

10

Samantha

8 May 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Affordable and convenient option, they were doing some kind of construction so it was a little loud after 8am but otherwise other guests were very quiet at night. Pod beds were comfortable and it was nice to have the added privacy. I enjoyed that there was a coffee shop on the property.

10

Barbra

10 Oct 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

If you don't mind no lift this is a fabulous hostel. The pods are great. The staff give the joint personality and although the area is lacking shops the cafe is serving some great beverages and continental breakfast. Its just by Central Park, so tempting to walk it.

6

Andre

22 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The "included" breakfast was not at all a breakfast, but just some bagles, marmelade, and a cup of tea you can pick up in the basemant... All the doors in the hostel get stuck, and are difficult to open.. When I wanted to bring up my "breakfast" from the basement to the common room, I managed to spill all the scolding hot tea and marmelade all over myself, because of the bad condition of the doors and the inconvenience of the situation.

8

Jaelin

20 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I loved the distance from the subway and the distance from Central Park! The staff was nice and they had a rooftop area and dining area to hang out in. They do have a "private shower" option that costs extra that isn't actually private but is a shower used by yourself and the others in the room as opposed to the one in the hallway used by the other guests.

10

Tarun

11 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff is very nice Space is clean and nice Rooftop garden sanitation Locality Citibikes Beautiful parks Restaurant I stayed 3 nights its was very peaceful and beautiful I would recommend everyone and everytime i visit NYC this is gonna be place to stay

10

Sophia

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Especially as far as hostels and even inexpensive lodging this is definitely a fantastic option. Very reasonable prices, options for sharing a room with only one other person, controllable temperature in your own pod (it doesn't have like extreme settings but does helps and while like any AC unit etc it doesn't also have a noise to it but honestly it's almost like a 'white noise' for sleeping, it's not bothersome at all, and can be a bit soothing. The staff is very sweet and efficient, there's only one person checking people in but I find them to be conscientious of lines and timeliness. There a Small cafe in the lobby with nicely priced options for coffees, fresh pressed juices, breakfast (avo toast etc) fresh fruit and more. Definitely recommend if you don't need a spacious room and are just looking for a safe clean comfortable and affordable place to stay in Manhattan - and right off of the park too!

8

Adam

12 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 5 nights

Overall a great experience. The pod was comfortable with amenities like a mirror, plug sockets and a towel. It was also quiet. I was surprised that I shared a room with a woman considering I booked a male room but neither of us seemed to mind. The free bagels and coffee in the morning was a bonus too. Good location to the subway and Central Park. I would return.

6

Kemal

27 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Inside the facility is too complex to find rooms, kitchen etc and they supposedly giving free breakfast which is only coffee and bagel without any condiments. Location is good, it's next to Central Park.

8

adrian

19 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

1st night was really hot in the pod and had to get a small towel and put cold water on it so i could fall asleep, 1 of the 2 colling fans was barely working. However night 2,3 and 4 were much cooler but i did have the cooling run all the time. The bed was comfortable and the luggage storage was free which i liked, the bagels and coffee was also a nice touch. Overall the experience was good apart from my towels going missing 2 days in a row so had to go to reception and ask for replacement ones

10

MARILYN Y

12 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Female-only dorm. Plenty of shower & toilet facilities. Good security. Good cafe with outdoor patio. Breakfast, lunch & dinner available. Wish there were better commons lounge areas.

Was this helpful?

AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$123
February	US$114
March	US$252
April	US$211
May	US$201
June	US$260
July	US$244
August	US$263
September	US$275
October	US$282
November	US$258
December	US$255

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $221	2	3
4 $202	5 $210	6	7 $214	8	9 $317	10
11	12 $279	13 $202	14 $212	15 $202	16 $232	17 $211
18 $202	19 $279	20	21	22	23	24 $317
25	26	27	28 $279	29 $279	30 $317	31

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27 $191	28 $191	29 $279	30 $279

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Single Bed in Deluxe 10-Bed Male Dormitory Room (Private Shower)

Single Bed in Deluxe 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room (Private Shower)

Single Bed in Standard Female Dormitory Room (Shared Shower)

Single Bed in Standard 2-Bed Male Dormitory Room (Shared Shower)

Single Bed in Deluxe 2-Bed Female Dormitory Room (Shared Shower)

Single Bed in Deluxe 2-Bed Male Dormitory Room (Shared Shower)

Single Bed in Deluxe 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room (Private Shower)

Deluxe Double Room (2 Adults + 1 Child)

Single Bed in Deluxe 6-Bed Male Dormitory Room (Private Shower)

Guest reviews

Good

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about KAMA CENTRAL PARK

Have a question?

Prices for upcoming dates