Unless you’ve been living under a rock (you haven’t, have you?), you’ve seen the news headlines about Luigi Mangione, the alleged United Health Group CEO killer. It’s a story that’s gotten major publicity and a huge amount of social media content! I can’t open one of the social media apps without finding some interest (and honestly, a lot of thirst) over who this guy is, what he did, and what led up to it.
As a travel blogger, what I wanted to know was where Luigi Mangione stayed in NYC before he allegedly committed the crime! I’ve got no doubts they’ve had a ton of interest in their property, especially since it’s currently more widely known as “the hostel Luigi stayed in.”
Well, friends, I took a little adventure up to the Big Apple to check out the HI New York City hostel and get an inside scoop on what it’s like and where Luigi was staying before the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed.
Let’s take a look!
Who Is Luigi Mangione?
Okay, before I cover what the HI New York City hostel looks like inside, let’s talk about Luigi Mangione. Who is he? What did he allegedly do?
Again, unless you’ve been a total hermit, then you’ve probably seen videos about the alleged UHC CEO killer as you’ve scrolled. He’s become a bit of a superstar for being undeniably good-looking, with his sudden social media fandom going so far as to start the “free Luigi” craze. I’m not here to take any sides on what’s right and wrong, but let’s at least start with getting to know who Luigi Mangione is.
Luigi Mangione is a Maryland native, from a wealthy family in Baltimore. Even though he’s from there, reports say his last known address was actually in Hawaii. Now famously (or infamously?) known for allegedly committing the UHC CEO New York murder, he’s definitely going to be headlining news as the case continues.
Where Did Luigi Mangione Stay in NYC?
The hostel where Luigi stayed at in New York City has also turned into a point of interest for lots of people across social media and in the news. He got to NYC 10 days before the United Healthcare CEO murder happened. That’s when he checked into the HI New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side under the name Mark Rosario using a fake New Jersey ID.
I can’t say how long he originally intended to stay at the HI New York City hostel location, but sources have stated he extended his stay a few times during that time.
Check Out the HI New York City Hostel
Okay, let’s take a look inside the HI New York City Hostel! That’s what you came here for, right? Every time I visit the Big Apple, I’m looking for a great central spot to call my home base! The Hi New York City Hostel location on the Upper West Side makes it a prime spot for anyone visiting. They’ve got some really cool amenities and options for private or shared rooms so you’ll be comfortable during your stay.
Walking Up to Hi New York City Hostel
Photo: hiusa.com
Might as well start at the beginning! From the outside, you’ll already notice that the HI New York City Hostel where alleged UnitedHealth Group CEO killer Luigi Mangione stayed looks neat. The historic building reminds me of a castle or European-style buildings. Plus the location is close to the subway, Central Park, and has easy access to basically every part of NYC.
Hi New York City Hostel Front Desk
Photo: hostelworld.com
The front desk at HI New York City Hostel looks really cool and is open 24/7 to help you navigate the city that never sleeps. Whether you need tips on the best local eats, directions to Times Square, or help booking a tour, the friendly team has you covered day or night. Got a random question at 3 AM? They’ve heard it all and are ready to help you out!
Game Room at HI New York City Hostel
Photo: hiusa.com
One of the things I think is coolest about the hostel Luigi Mangione stayed in is the game room. There’s also a pool table, a TV lounge, board games you can use, and even a small library. It makes it easy to have a lot to do even if you’re just wanting a little downtime inside the hostel instead of out in the city!
Rooms at HI New York City Hostel
Photo by TravelerRec
Okay so what about the rooms? All the amenities and activities in the world don’t mean much if you don’t feel comfortable in your room. Good news, friends, I can report that the HI New York Hostel location has lots of great options to pick from.
The HI New York City Hostel rooms you can pick from are:
Group Rooms
- 4-bed dorm
- 6-bed dorm
- 8-bed dorm
- 10-bed dorm
- 12-bed dorm
- 14-bed dorm
Private Rooms
- Private 4-bed room
- Private/family room
- Private/family room ensuite
Photo: hiusa.com
Some of the rooms offer privacy curtains for your bed so you can get a little shuteye without anyone seeing. The private/family room ensuite is the only option with a private bathroom, but it’s an option if sharing facilities isn’t your thing. To be honest, though, I found the shared bathrooms to be great so I had no complaints!
HI NYC Hostel Kitchen Area
Photo by Masaaki Ito
There’s a million places to grab great food in NYC, but one of them is also right from the shared kitchen at the HI New York City Hostel. The shared kitchen at HI NYC Hostel has plenty of burners so you’ll never have to wait on other people to finish before you can get started whipping up a meal. It’s fully stocked with all the essentials, making it easy to connect with other travelers during your stay.
HI New York City Hostel Outdoor Patio
Photo by Stephan G.
The outdoor patio at HI New York City Hostel where Luigi Mangione stayed is the hangout spot you didn’t know you needed for your trip to Manhattan. It’s the largest private patio in the city and perfect for relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle for just a little bit! The perfect urban escape that lots of guests enjoyed using during my stay, so it’s easy to strike up a conversation and meet new people!
Hi New York City Hostel Amenities Overview
So we love the look of the building inside and out, but what about the HI New York City Hostel amenities? Gotta know what you’re getting during your stay!
They’ve got two floors of comfy common rooms where you can lounge, mingle, or just relax some while you scroll through social media (free Wi-Fi, obviously). Hungry? They’ve got a 36-burner guest kitchen you can help yourself to if you don’t feel like going out to eat.
Their bathrooms and showers feel newly renovated, so you’ll feel comfortable knowing it’s a clean environment. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand hostels or hotels with questionable bathrooms! Plus they’ve got you covered with free linens and towels so you don’t have to waste precious suitcase or backpack space with your own. There’s also guest laundry so you can have everything clean and ready to go for your next adventure when you leave.
As you’ve seen, HI New York City Hostel also has a cool game room where you can make friends with other guests or just lounge solo. Don’t forget about the private outdoor patio. It’s a super unique NYC hostel that I really enjoyed checking out!
What’s Near the HI New York City Hostel?
There’s more to choosing a place to stay in NYC than just wondering which hostel Luigi Mangione stayed at. You want to explore the city and take in all its charm! Here’s some of the spots you won’t want to miss during your HI NYC Hostel stay:
- Central Park – 0.4 mi away
- Apollo Theater – 1.5 mi away
- American Museum of Natural History – 1.4 mi away
- Met Museum – 1.4 mi away
- Times Square – 3.0 mi away
Wrapping It Up About HI NYC Hostel
The crazy story that came out of it all had me curious about seeing the inside of the hostel Luigi Mangione stayed in and I wasn’t disappointed! I always love my trips to NYC, but this one was unique for sure. It’s a really cool spot for any travelers and now comes with the added talking point of being where the alleged UnitedHealth Care CEO killer spent 10 days before the events happened.
The good news is the HI NYC Hostel is a safe, secure, and awesome place to stay. You won’t regret choosing it and you might even make some new friends while you’re there! If you decide to stay nearby and not in the hostel itself, check out Room Cougar to see what local rooms look like.
Got a favorite spot you like to stay at in New York City? Let me know in the comments!
