Contacting the host before booking: very responsive and polite , I contacted him through airbnb .
Checking in : I sent him a message through Airbnb that I am arriving to the airport at 2 pm , and will check in from 2-4 pm !
I arrived the apartment at 4 pm and called him on his phone but he wasn't home and I had to wait two and half hours outside the building until he finishes his work. He said he was trying to contact me on my phone number but no response because I changed my phone number and did not change it on Airbnb . So I recommend you to contact him early and tell him about checking in time.
I went to a nearby restaurant and went for shopping until he came and welcomed me.
First impression: As I entered the apartment, it was messy! He was painting the walls !! I was not able to walk to my room easily in order not to touch the walls. He told me he will finish soon.
I had no problem with this issue but I had to write it because others might have.
If I were him , I would tell the guest about the painting before booking because some guests might have allergy and at least to expect the apartment not sparkling clean as wrote in the comments or the description.
There was a closet just in front of my room door , I had to squeeze my self before entering the room!
The room : clean , as showed in the pictures , there is a TV ( I did not use it )
Bed : clean and comfortable
Temperature : the room was very very hot !!! , I told him about that and he told me it is impossible to change the heater temperature .Advised me not to wear heavy clothes and open the window. It worked !
Closet : the closet was full of clothes. I was not able to use it at all. I told him about that and told me that these for a guest who left them here !!!
If I were him , I would tell the guests about the closet before booking or clean the closet for other gusts to use
I was able to manage this by hanging the most important clothes on the closet doors and keeping the other clothes at my bag.
The door has a lock which gave me full privacy and safety.
Host :
Very responsive
Polite
Keeps asking you if you need anything
Gives you the privacy you want.
For example:
I was taking a shower early at 5 am ! I did not know that taking a shower at this time might bother the neighbors because of water sound! He knocked the door and politely told me not to take showers at this time.
Bathroom: shared bathroom with other guests and clean but you can not take showers early morning at 5 am .
Kitchen: clean , you can use anytime. I did not use it so I won't be able to write more comprehensive review.
Living room and TV : I did not use because it was messy most of the time because of painting.
Safety : the building has a door that opened with a password or a key. The room has a lock and the neighborhood is full of people.
Neighborhood: safe , many fast food restaurants and grocery stores . The only thing is that you might here music at night and car noises at morning but it is New York!
Price : I thought it was overpriced but it is New York. But cleaning and service fees are very high compared to other homes I stayed in before.
Things I would change :
Checking in : like adding a lock box , sending the guests a message before checking in telling them about the instructions.
Telling the guests about any painting or construction work before booking
Telling the guests about the room temperature and the need to open the window day and night.
Telling the guest about the closet
Supply the guests with towels in their rooms
Beside these things , the stay was very good and I enjoyed New York City !