Architect Richard Morris Hunt built the hostel, said to be the world’s largest, in 1883 as a home for war widows.

Today it is the world’s largest youth hostel with 672 beds, and nearly 100,000 square feet, the hostel is a city landmark.

American Youth Hostel

Association Residence for Respectable Aged Indigent Females 1881-1883

NY- American Youth Hostel

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side

NY- American Youth Hostel- Upper West Side