The pros: Host were great with communication and seemed nice. The place was a decent size. We weren't going to be in the apartment for long periods due to the convention we came for so it worked for us. But being there isn't a livingroom (which is stated in listing), if it was a place we were coming to also hang out with friends or family we came with then the pace wouldn't work. But we just needed a sleeping spot so it worked. Location is close to restaurants, shopping as well as the train is at the corner to easily get to NYC attractions. However if you arrive with a car expect your typical city parking....none close to the house. Being a busy street opposed to a side street made it harder to find street parking. However we did find a parking garage about 2 blocks away for $21 for 24 hours.
Cons: Security issues I found that made me uncomfortable especially if I arrived alone was the apartment is in the 1st floor but the kitchen window has no curtains. So you can see into others apartments as well as they can see you when you're in the kitchen. Plus there's an ally outside the kitchen so when a man parked his bike out back my son was standing at the counter and they made eye contact. That's kind of weird they can just stand there and are looking in at you, your family and belongings you place in the kitchen. Again if I was alone I would not have felt comfortable. Did make a suggestion to the host to add curtains ir spray windiws with frost paint fir privacy. I'm also not comfortable with homes that give out keys since anyone can make a copy and the works we live in today, I'm not giving strangers my house key so I wouldn't want it for the place I'm stating in.
Last if you like a firm mattress this mattress is very soft. it is a king bed so I was able to sleep in the middle where it was a little more firmer but if it wasn't for that, the bed would have been too sof for me. But I know if my husband came he would have loved how soft it was.