I am pleased with my stay. I stayed in 311 bunk bed 1. A 4-bed dorm room.
Pluses:
The price. Excellent value.
Good safe location.
12 minute subway ride to Times Square.
Courteous and helpful staff.
Large convenience store next door.
Wall mounted air conditioner in room.
Large convenience store next door.
Supermarket (pricey, upscale) across the street.
Subway very close by.
Large common area including big shared kitchen.
Semi-private (private to the 4 of us roommates) clean bathroom with shower.
Minuses:
Noisy trains going by almost constantly on multiple elevated subway tracks. HOWEVER, the noise was somewhat muted. I did not mind it. I brought earplugs, staff offered me earplugs, but I did not wear them. I did not feel the need. I slept just fine.
Window does not open.
First night it was cold. A/C too strong. HOWEVER, I now think there might be a thermostat on the wall that I failed to notice? (I leave it to the reader to ask.)
No bedside shelf or cubby to put toiletries or whatnot.
A reading light at head of bed would be nice.
No elevator.
For this trip, I first tried but failed to find a Manhattan hostel with openings. If that happens again, I will almost certainly stay here again.