The West Side YMCA is a gem located a couple of blocks from Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, and Central Park, within walking to Hudson River Park and ~ a mile from Natural History. The staff are very helpful, cheerful, and friendly. One needs to think of it as urban camping or hosteling -- it's somewhat like going off to camp (we had a cot-like bunk bed, "deluxe twin" on the 12th floor). The shared, individual (keycard) down the hall bathroom/shower facilities do create queues in the mornings. Do bring your own bathroom footwear, USB chargers, HDMI cable (for the TV), and maybe even a good towel and/or pillow (if these matter to you). Bathrooms were clean, albeit often wet from the showers. Lots of dining nearby on 8th avenue, and there is a Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. Felt very safe, and of course, the upper West side location cannot be beat. There is a bag check ($4/bag/day) and lots of bike rentals nearby. We would ourselves go again because we are on a budget, but it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea.