My husband and I were on a return stay to Howard and Joan's. They are very warm and welcoming hosts who invited us to use their home as our own. This allowed us to use the kitchen to prepare meals, just hang out and chat or join in when they had company. They were also respectful of our privacy if we didn't want to socialize. The location of the house was fabulous for walking to the city or just hanging out in Brooklyn (which we enjoyed).