This Brooklyn area is fascinating- there are a good variety of eating places within easy walking distance, and the subway options were also closeby. We were permitted to let our young son stay in the room with us, and appreciatedthis flexibility on the hosts' part.The brownstone building helped to authenticate the experience for us as first-time New Yorkers. Ryan welcomed us, assisted us with luggage upon our arrival, and gave some basic information, but mostly left us to ourselves. However, the coffee-maker advertised in the very basic kitchen area was not functional (a kettle might have been appreciated instead), and the room was smaller than it appeared on the posting. A good array of literature on local sites (and wider travel generally) was valuable, and during our stay we were grateful for the ceiling fan and old-but-usable a/c.