Ala is very friendly and outgoing. She was willing to let me check-in early which helped with my schedule. Ala gave me a quick tour of the apartment and showed me how things worked. She also provided a list of nearby cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. and I did visit a few of them.

The apartment was as described. Charming and nicely decorated with good books, photos, old cameras, a table in the kitchen for morning coffee, even a record player and albums. The large bed was very comfortable and I slept well - which doesn't always happen when I travel.

Most of my time was spent away visiting family. I enjoyed having my own space to come back to at night. This is a quiet building, with a handy old-style elevator, in a safe neighborhood. I had a great time staying at Ala's and look forward to staying there again when I return to NYC.