I stayed in Stanton's place for just under a year and it was perfect. I can not recommend this and the host highly enough and I will seek it out again when I return to New York.
Finding it, especially when some of my accommodation plans hadnt worked out was like finding a little haven in the middle of NYC. The apartment is exactly as shown.
The location is superb, you couldn't find better. You are literally on Central Park and moments from the 1, 2, 3, A and C trains making the whole of Manhattan literally on your doorstep. It is incredibly quiet in the apartment and I had to check myself that this was the middle of New York.
Upper West is such a safe neighborhood so this really is an ideal location if you are new to the City, working at Columbia or further down town or staying on your own and want somewhere you can feel really safe but still in the middle of things. Having the park on your doorstep gives you the perfect combination of an incredible green space but accessibility to everywhere else. I commuted to various cities from the apartment and access to Penn, La Guardia, JFK and Grand Central were all really easy and quick.
In terms of practical things the apartment has literally everything you need. I didnt want to invest in furniture or buying any additional household things when i was only in the City for a year and didnt think of anything extra I needed to buy the whole time. The bed is really comfortable, everything was immaculate both in the flat and the communal areas, the kitchen covers everything you could need. Theres a coffee maker, iron, hairdryer, towels, easy receipt of parcels when you're not in. Temperature control in the apartment across the seasons is also superb! Its also just a really beautiful space with some lovely art.
I worked a lot from home and the wifi was consistently excellent. Not one pause in service the whole year and super fast. There is a really comfortable desk space to work out and the window looks out over a gorgeous court yard.
Perhaps the overall best thing about the apartment however is the host. Stanton from the very beginning was incredible. He was so thoughtful and kind throughout. There were constant gestures like ensuring my window box had flowers, leaving food and other lovely touches on my day of arrival. Anything that was needed he responded immediately. There were no significant issues that arose over the year but the one or two small maintenance quirks he fixed immediately. (I only wish I had been such a good landlord with my own tenants!). His and his wife's warmth made you fee totally welcome and cared for. I am still filled with guilt that he carried over 60Kg of suitcases for me up the stairs on arrival without question!
In short this apartment is a haven and you will have a perfect stay no matter how short or long.