Berkeley YMCA Residence - Berkeley, California

BYRA

Populated by hospice patients, parole felons and homeless shelter folk as per Management's "New Business Model" (their words) while advertised as a fully-staffed hostel. Its fraudulent re-branding of the 1851 non-profit into a subsidy-raiding business generated trauma, health hazard, emotional distress, sexual harassment, xenophobic hate crimes and other personal injuries to civilian tenants. Inaccurate Google Description: NO Air-conditioned; NO Minors Allowed; NO kitchen / NO Bathroom / NO Telephone in the rooms.

Jim C.

Very nice place, if you're on a budget (who isn't).
Staff work very hard here to keep bathrooms and lobby area tidy. Front desk lady Maria is amazing, as well as evening guy Joel. Much appreciated.
Many nice people here.
Enjoy the central downtown location, one block from Berkeley BART station.

Suin L.

My room was totally old. Especially door and drawers. It was hard to unlock my door, and the drawers make horrible sound every time I open it. Also, the shower room was Not clean.
Actually i moved here from my homestay, i think the homestay was definitely better than this jail room although living in this room is more expensive.
The only thing I'm satisfied with is that this building is in downtown.

I don't recommend you to stay in this hotel

Yez S.

Bed bugs, bed bugs and more BED BUGS !
I told staff abt it immediately and they said they'd wash and spray the room while I was out.
OK.

I suppose they did 🤷🏾‍♀️. But it didn't get rid of the bed bugs. I asked for new linens and the linens they gave me had dead bed bugs in them.

I went to stay here in between leases and I'm afraid that I'll bring bed bugs to my new place. The bites are psychological torture that have me afraid to sleep.

Also the first night I was there. They didn't have a key for the room, not just a key FOR ME, a key to the room period, not even for themselves.
They opened it with a master key and didn't show me that the door knob, when the hard to use handles are in a certain posknow, lock the door behind you so I got locked out and there ZERO overnight staff of any kind, so I spend the first night out in the lobby.

Do. Not. Stay there !!@

Grant O.

Very friendly staff were able to provide a room at the absolute last minute. I would suggest booking in advance, as I was very lucky (1 to 2 weeks). If you are on your own, a minimalist, low on cash and need somewhere to stay, this is a great place. Very close to UC Berkeley and Berkeley BART station.

Uthaipon T.

This is a place to stay for the budget, and is great for that purpose. They have essential things you need, including a shared kitchen. They have paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils, cooking utensils, how water and tea in the morning, small fridge, hair dryer, shampoo. You also have free gym access (bring your id).

What I would suggest considering:
- the room heater cannot be controlled. The room can be a little hot, so make sure you are flexible on that
- windows, wall, and ceiling do not block noise well. Make sure you are ok with some noise.
- bring your own towels. All bathrooms and showers are shared
- optionally, bring clothes hanger just in case
- use mobile data in case wifi is slow
- electric extension cord in case location of plugs is inconvenient for you

There is Target and Trader's Joe closeby. The staff, though not going be professional receptionist, is there 24/7 and get things done. When you arrive, come to the Milvia st entrance (there's a small door there) and call them to let you in the first day.

It's like an undergrad dorm, so if you are happy to adjust, this is a good place for the price.

Ivan P.

You get what you paid for. Very affordable place in downtown Berkeley. Small rooms, shower, toilet outside in the hallway. Full size kitchen if you want to cook. Pedestrian crossing sound all night can be very annoying. So, place to crash for night or two with out much expectations.

Jacoby K.

Mis-information/communication during the application process for housing, and Covid UN-friendly habits. Ask them 3x what the rent is because they will change it. Kind staff, but a waste of time procedurally.