Rene met me at the door - really early in the morning as my flight had arrived at 6.00am - she helped me with my luggage, put me into her lovely light bright apartment and said - If you need me - I am right downstairs. A perfectly balanced welcome. I took a hot shower, put on my pjs and jumped into the soft warm bed, in the light filled room, perfectly decorated and thought - Yay - I chose well.
Later that day I realised I needed some teaspoons and a cutting board and Renee brought them over immediately.
The apartment is exactly as described and Bed Stuy is a slowly gentrifying area. Everything you need is close by - and the slight grittiness of the neighbourhood is perfectly safe and the people are friendly and welcoming. There is a great supermarket, wine store, coffee shop and Southern Restaurant called Sistas - all within a two block radius. I had my nails beautifully manicured on Atlantic Avenue and getting to and from the metro station is a 10 minute walk. The station Norstrund Avenue has both the C and the A - so getting in and out of Manhattan and to other parts of Brooklyn was a doddle.
Overall I had a lovely week, slept like a bomb in that big bed and felt safe and happy. I would stay with Renee again - without question.