For anybody, who would consider visiting New York, Chao's place is the best to choose. Not far away from the Manhattan, but still in the middle of Brooklyn, this place gives the best insight of how people live in New York, location and neighborhoodwise.
Chao's place is everything that has already been said in the description, and it's a must-choose.
He and his friends are really helpful and friendly, and his cat is an amazing fellow to share a room with for the nights.
This place gives you the opportunity to enjoy a trip to its full potential, not only as a sight-oriented tourist, but also as a citizen, enjoying small, mundane tasks, such as going to the corner deli for shopping, or walking through the residental streets to get to the (not so far away) metro station.
I highly recommend this place to anybody who are about to visit this city. They won't regret it.