I visited New York this month with my girlfriend and parents. We were naturally concerned given the terrible reviews YourStay has received. Fortunately things worked for us. So here is our opinion.
The entrance to Herald Towers is quite impressive, but when you reach reception you are sent to a 3rd floor flat to book in with YourStay. This is a small, poorly lit flat with two casually dressed chaps sitting being a table surrounded by pills of suitcases. We were told we could not book in until 3pm but could leave out bags with them. It all seemed very seedy and dodgy!
We returned at 3pm got our keys without hassle and found a very acceptable appartment. Although a bit shabby in places in was basically clean with a well equipped kitched and TV with Cable. Although it is advertised as having internet access - it has only the connection, no computer - but OK if you have a laptop with you. There was a gym in the building but no details of how you might use this or whether there is a charge.
We had a two bedroom appartment and to be fair the 2nd bedroom was really only a partition off the lounge and with no proper lighting (other than a lamp) and no clothes hanging space (although this oculd be found elsewhere in the apartment. There was no way to control the heating in this room and the draft from the window would no doubt make the room very cold in the dead of winter.
However, the place was clean, we had no hassel, it was great to have a lounge to relax in which you would not get in a hotel room, and it was a lot cheaper!!
Finally, the position was great, literally next door to the Empire State building, opposite Macy's, next to a subway station, and 10mins walk from Time Square.
We were very happy, and if you accept it is not a hotel then what we got was great and we have no complaints.
Would I use them again? Probably not, given all the terrible reviews. But if I was a crowd of young backpackers I would give it a go!
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