The positive reviews reflect much of our own experience: excellent host; excellent location (Chelsea Market around the corner); spacious apartment; close to subway (blue line around the corner).

Customers with disabilities should be made aware that the apartment is not at street level. You need to go down three steps. If you have access to clothes washing facilities there is a 15 step stairwell you have to go down. Light levels are also an issue because the apartment is lower than street level. It remains dark well into the daylight hours so you should set your alarms because you might sleep in a lot. There were some issues with the (mostly halogen) ceiling lighting, which you may have to keep on through much of the day. I suspect the lighting transformers might not be working so well since some of the lighting arrays would be strong one day and very low the next. The two main bedrooms are at the front of the apartment, facing the street. They are bed width rooms (a little more than twice the length). You cant really open the windows to the bedroom because the disposal bins are next to or near the windows, so you have to use the air conditioners (split system in every room) to get airflow.

If you are not staying there for more than a week dont forget that you may not have access to the clothes washers and dryers, so you need to have enough clothing packed.

Chelsea/Meatpacking is a great location. Multicultural; a relaxed atmosphere; a mixture of people from all social classes and identities. In my view it is better than the oversanitised blocks around Central Park. Chelsea/ Meatpacking close to lots of places tourists want to go. Its a good area for first time visitors to Manhattan. When you get to the apartment go round the corner to Chelsea markets for a feed and nice bottle of wine to take home. Immediate groceries: Walgreens around the corner going east. Big food and beverage shopping- I suggest the really excellent Westside Market on 7th Avenue and 15th street. Bread and pizza square: Try Sullivan Street Bakery on 9th and 24th or Amys at the Chelsea Markets.

NYC first timers: you need Google Maps; Subway Map and compass on your smartphone to minimize disorientation when you come out of subways. Enjoy. Its a great place to be.