I was very disappointed with my first airbnb experience. I was expecting an intimate local experience with the benefit of getting an insider's take on my first visit to the fabulous city that is NY. Unfortunately, Orestes was away on holidays (which I only found out when I rang him a day before I arrived) the whole 5 days I was there. He said a good friend (who introduced herself as his neighbor) would be living there instead. The first day a non-English speaking house-cleaner was there to meet me to pass me the keys. Because I spent the first afternoon sightseeing I arrived to a quiet house at 10.30pm and spent the first night not knowing who was in the house. The next morning at the first sound of noises/footsteps in the house I went upstairs to wait to meet 'the neighbour' before she headed off to work. This was the only time I saw her in my stay but awoke every morning to the sounds of multiply people coming in and out of the only entrance which is through the bottom front door right next to do the guest bedroom. I was never told who was going to be in the house and by the end of 5 days I counted at least 5 people, one other guy living in the same house (who never introduced himself), a dog walker and work colleagues of Orestes who made use of the 2 workstations in the same level as the bedroom for at least 2 of the days. One work collegue was working until 1 am one morning. Considering there is an opaque ceiling to floor window in the bathroom which is clearly visible from the working area I didn't feel comfortable taking a shower at night. Also my "private" bathroom was used by the work colleagues. Although I was out for most of the days, due to the wooden floor boards I could hear people walking/stomping around late at night and early mornings. The photos are accurate, the house is nice. However, the room you stay in is on the basement level along with 2 work place areas. There were written rules left including one never to lock the front door when you were inside (otherwise you can lock others out!). I never heard from Orestes, was never offered help or advice and had no communication who had access to the house. Disappointing considering all the rave reviews. I would have felt safer and got a lot more personal attention and clearer communication staying in a hotel. My girlfriend who also stayed a couple of nights was also disappointed by the fact we were sightseeing 'blind' and that we had no idea who was in the upper levels of the house. For safer, more personal attention and less wasting time on subways I recommend staying in a hotel around East Village. P.S. my bed sheet was covered in dog hairs.