A Y’s Way to Find Lodging Abroad

I was in Athens, weary from a desert expedition in the Middle East, and annoyed at the amount of inappropriate attention I was getting as a single woman. Even the manager of my hotel proved to be a problem, so I headed off to the local tourist office for advice.

Their suggestion, to seek a room at the YWCA, turned out to be an excellent idea. Although the only spot available was a shared room, with two Greek students, within the hour I was settled into my sanctuary for a much needed rest.

London, Paris, Brussels, Helsinki, Amsterdam, New York and Hong Kong are all major cities with expensive reputations, yet all offer economical lodgings affiliated with the “Y.”

Even though the familiar initials YMCA and YWCA stand for the Young Men’s/Women’s Christian Assn., people of all faiths are welcome.

The purpose of the “Y” accommodation service is to provide clean, safe, comfortable and conveniently located lodging at rates that are ideal for the student or young traveler. Most “Y’s” have single and double rooms, and the average rate per person is $24 per night.

Not every “Y” is terrific. I remember checking one out years ago in San Francisco that gave me the shivers. How good the atmosphere is will depend on the staff, the neighborhood, and how old the building is.

The “Y” now has a network of 96 accommodation centers that publicize themselves in a free brochure called the “Y’s Way.” There actually are more accommodation centers than those listed; they just haven’t requested inclusion in the publication. Sixty-five centers are located in North America, and new centers will be opening soon in Orlando, Fla., Chicago and California.

You may find what when you have limited funds, you can stretch your budget by sharing rooms in hostel-style lodgings. That’s fine for a while, but sooner or later, especially if you hit a point when you’re no feeling so well, you want to get a private room, at a reasonable price.

This can be difficult in some cities. Bangkok, for example, has a reputation for a shortage of hotel rooms. However, there is a youth hostel, a few budget hotels, and there are guest houses that cater to the student-style traveler.

If you want something with a few more comforts, but can’t afford to go for an expensive hotel, there is the new Collins House International Y, in the center of the city. It’s less than three years old and has 147 single and double rooms; each with a private shower, telephone, radio, and air conditioning.

A new wing with an additional 130 rooms is due to open this year. This “Y” also has a restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center, jogging track, massage room and bar. Rates are $39 for a single, and $43 for a double, per night.

The “Y’s Way” brochure outlines accommodation facilities in North America and abroad, and offers addresses to help travelers make advance reservations. Reservations can also be made through the New York office of Y’s Way. There is a $3 fee per center in North America, and $5 fee for international centers.

Copies of the brochure are available free from Y’s Way, 356 West 34th St., New York, NY 10001, or call (212) 760-5856. Include 65 cents worth of postage.

The brochure also gives details on several other helpful services, including foreign youth travel agencies; special “do-it-yourself” tour packages for visiting New York, New Orleans, Hollywood, Seattle and Washington; and the Y’s Way Welcome desk, located in the arrivals hall at New York’s JFK International Airport.