This is the real-deal-Brooklyn stay; and, at the price-per-night, the accommodations far exceed the value one gets.
Check-in and check-out were seamless — totally independent; lock-box for the heavy, wrought-iron gate into a private stair-case leading to the six-units on two floors. “Leave the keys on the mini-fridge in your room when you’re ready to check out.” As easy-peasy as billed in the listing & by MIchelle, one’s host.
Even before stepping into my room, I was struck by the authenticity of the stairwell in this Pre-war building that makes this region of Brooklyn generally regarded as rife with a rich historicity i.e. the “creaky” hard-wood stairs; decorations, furniture and decor — both classy while remaining “understated” — totally authentic. All-in-all, the accommodations were, for me, transportative.
The pictures of the room in this listing are accurate. What can not be conveyed in them is the comfort of the bed; the immaculate linens and towels; the thoughtful and welcome complimentary snacks, granola bars and coffee atop the personal microwave and fridge … the accessibility of the bathrooms; the AMAZING SUPER HOT shower; the complimentary toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hair-dryer (if you forgot to pack it) … keyless entry into the room .... thick walls .... Amazon FireTV-enabled flat-screen … So many details that were thought-through — each and everyone contributing to how rested I felt every morning (or late afternoon, depending on the hangover from the night before).
Personally I took advantage of the very “colonial” desk and busted out some water-colors and art=-pens I had brought with me, and I went to work on a canvas I had found in the closet. Michell had given her blessing, without a second thought, after I asked her if I could fuss around with it.
The only thing I regret is that my first stay here (and it won’t be my last, God-willing) happened in the last throes of 2021, NYC winter-time, and during the “Covid-19 days.” I could imagine the flower garden that decorated the front yard when it goes in bloom come Spring-time; I could envision myself doing a “mindfulness walk” on and through the pathway made by its paver stones; and, I could imagine myself puffing on a cigar with a snifter of hazelnut cognac (it’s BYOB, btw), in the garden that is set up in the backyard . —> Though, I could see it from the shower window, the temperature was prohibitive, so, I didn’t ask if the plush, wicker-looking furniture in the back-yard were accessible to guests. Something, for another guest to have stayed here to elaborate on ...
I could continue this, already, lengthy and glowing review with info on the nearby shops just blocks away — a hardware store whose storefront specializes in medieval armor and weapons; a 24-hour NY by-the-slice-pizza near a Taco Bell, Walgreens, Burger King and McDonalds; world class wings-restaurants and neuvelle comfort food dining; Gourmet Deli/Grocery stores if hummus, kettle chips, and hot panini is your late-night munchies thing; shops with exotic incense oils, soaps, frankincense, a selection of Bibles in languages other than english, wool scarves/mittens; an Applebees a stone's throw from the lodgings if one might need something family-familiar; etc.
Lastly, it appeared to me that Michelle is also a community leader, and, as such, would likely have been deeply knowledgeable about the neighborhood: Clinton Hill. I did not avail myself to what I presumed was a wealth of knowledge, since my stay was not about, necessarily, to soak in ‘Brooklyn,’ as such. I hope to have a chance to chat with her about the neighborhood at one of my subsequent stays.
There are not enough stars for which to rate my experience here, and so I’ll have to settle with the maximum this system permits. Some things really aren’t about stars; ranking; mathematical algorithms, and so on. Some things and experiences such as the one I had at 1311 Dean Street, Kings, Brooklyn, NY is “a thing in-itself” as post-enlightenment philosophers have observed: authentic and transcendent for those with some swing in their heart and the eyes to see it as such.