We had a lovely stay at Ellen's place. It was very hot in New York at our time of visit, so we loved the fact she has air-con in the guest room. The neighborhood might seem less chic at first sight, but we didn't encounter any problems and actually liked the more buzzy atmosphere. The location is also very convenient; there's a subway stop just two blocks away and it takes less than 15 minutes to downtown New York. Ellen's apartment is also in a quiet street, perfect for good night's sleep. We definitely recommend staying with Ellen and her charming cat.