Glenwood Hotel

Profile

The Glenwood Hotel might be an option for backpackers on tight budgets who don't mind living in a shoebox. Metaphors aside, the rooms—a term used in the broadest sense—are miniscule, even by New York standards. Each floor of the two-story building is a maze of wooden stalls, with a bed and little space for anything else. Board-thin partitions and makeshift ceilings made of chicken wire and heavy quilts lend little privacy, so you'll likely hear phone conversations, arguments and lots of other goings-on from adjacent rooms. Rentals are available on a nightly or weekly basis, and though one staff member admits they let people rent by the hour, he quickly adds, "This ain’t no hooker hotel." The staff, many of whom live here, are friendly and make an effort to keep the place up to basic standards of safety and cleanliness. Nonetheless, Glenwood gives off a slightly creepy vibe and seems more shantytown than hotel. Located in Williamsburg in the heart of Latino and Hasidic Jewish communities, it's one stop from Manhattan via subway; a walk across the Williamsburg Bridge to the Lower East Side takes 30 minutes. Renters under 18 are not allowed. — Andrew Wang

It's a short hop over the East River to Manhattan and provides a reasonably clean place to crash.

Cons
There is little-to-no privacy, the rented space is tiny and there are only two communal bathrooms for 120 units. And it's creepy.