Magnolia house is an oasis in a sea of city. If you are lucky enough to be a guest here, be prepared to become a time-traveler, stepping back into a Victorian world filled with antiques collected from around the globe - base reliefs from the middle east, wall hangings from the far east, statues and furniture shipped from distant corners of far-away lands to settle in this magnificent residence. Gorgeous fireplaces, some working and some not, are found in almost every room; a wood stove burned bright in the library every night during my stay, warming more than just the atmosphere. Books - a shocking number actually written by your prolific hosts, Danforth and Darwin (Prince and Porter - as if there could be a more artistically-named writing duo) - line built-in shelves from floor to ceiling, and the two king-size beds are luxurious and inviting for those weary travelers wishing to remain horizontal long into the weekend. Your hosts will regale you with tales spun from their endless forays into countries far away in time and space as they serve breakfast to suit any taste in their eclectic kitchen. It is an easy walk to the (free) ferry to access your own explorations into Manhattan, and the under-appreciated St. George Theater just a few blocks away serves up musicals, plays and performances by first-tier celebrities of every cloth.
I implore you not to miss this very special home, surely unique in all of New York City, which itself seems inseparable from its current owners - two gentlemen who will leave a lasting impression on you, endear themselves to you, and not soon be forgotten by you should you be lucky enough to encounter them. Bon voyage!!!!