Best/safest affordable hostels in NYC?

HI NYC is always booked. Westside YMCA on West 63rd is close to that whole Lincoln center sector, same area as HI NY. Stayed there last in 2019, you'd have to check reviews to see if it's still OK. GREAT location in terms of convenience to food and events.

Upper East YMCA (aka Vanderbilt YMCA, on 47th. It's really upper Midtown, and the last I was there it was safe and more or less clean, but that was before the NYC apocalypse, no clue how things are now. It's on a weird stretch of midtown that is really dead at night, all office buildings and nothing to do right nearby.

The Y's will do fine for a night or two. More than that is kind of an ordeal.

You could also try hipster digs The Jane in outer West Village, a walk to the High Line. Loads of azmophere, like a set from "Grand Budapest Hotel" or something. But teensy, miniscule single rooms. Check out their site for the feel.

Don't hostels have bed bugs?

I haven't checked recently, but there were a few chain hotels in Long Island City that were reasonable the last time I went. La Quinta on Queens Blvd, maybe $75/night and the no 7 train is right there to whisk you into Manhattan in a few stops. OK, never mind, I just checked and now it's up to $104-170/night. I see lower prices available after January 1, but I'm guessing your friend can't wait that long! Still, I'd check what's available in the boroughs before settling on Manhattan.

I can recommend The Hoxton in Williamsburg, OP. A British chain with great beds.

Otherwise: Steer clear from quirky hotels. It attracts quirky people and the standards tend to be so-so. Go with the boring business hotels: Marriot, Hilton, etc. You know what to expect, guests usually keep to themselves as they have an important meeting/presentation tomorrow, or an early flight to catch.