This location is in a transit accessible area. Take the 2 or 3 line from 125th street to reach downtown in minutes. The 1 train will not return you to this area though, keep that in mind.
Michelle was an excellent host to my family and I during our stay in New York. The rooms were a welcome home at the end of our jam packed days. Comfortable, well furnished, and well stocked to meet our domestic needs. The kitchen is a mite small but perfectly serviceable for throwing together a simple meal after a long day. The washroom is very clean and comes with hand and bath towels.
A cab driver told us that the area was occasionally unsafe but I feel this was an overstatement. We felt no more threatened than in any other American city. Lennox/Malcom X street is illuminated at night and is lined with respectable businesses.