So... This is a hostel, not a traditional airbnb I would think, which was a little shocking when I got there.
Pros:
1. Hosts are very nice and pleasant to talk with. Mike was there in the evening and Michael in the morning. They stayed in the pod next to mine and I felt quite safe.
2. Location is great.
3. The value is unbeatable in NYC, especially for single traveler like me, checking in late night, sleep, and checking out the next morning.
4. It's relatively clean and quiet. Most guests respected others and kept noise down at night.
5. It feels like an old dorm if you like that feeling: guests share 3 shower stalls, 4 restroom stalls and 2 sinks.
6. When I asked Michael if it's safe to walk around at night alone, he said should be fine especially there was a concert nearby that night and he said "just walk fast". I was like holy cow what did I do to myself. But I actually felt quite safe. I checked in almost 10pm and it was busy and bright on the street.
7. Free street parking- on a busy day, if you don't get a parking spot by the apartment building, you may park at a commercial parking spot, which means you will need to move your car by 7am (like me...)
8. They have security cameras inside and outside and the hosts monitor it closely. Women and men stay in different floors, and the entrance to each floor has a lock, which made me feel safe.
Cons:
1. It was a little scary at first when I got there. It's a whole floor divided into many tiny pods and felt a little crappy... Ventilation didn't seem very well so air was not fresh.
2. The trash can in my room was not emptied.
3. Restroom can be cleaned a little more often.
In summary, this is not a top-notch airbnb as you may have experienced somewhere else, and for this price, I wouldn't expect that either... it's a great value and served my purpose. Strongly recommend to people with a tight budget.