I didn't meet the host at check-in, but it was a very smooth process. The room is exactly as it appears in the pictures and the housekeeper (who doesn't speak english) was very accommodating when I asked for 2 more pillows. The windows overlook the street, which is lined with restaurants of worldly cuisine - Italian, Brazilian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and more. Because of this, it can be a bit noisy at night, so if you're a light sleeper, best to wear earplugs. The location is perfect and it's walking distance (5-20 minutes) to touristy parts of NYC (central park, theatre district, times square, Carlo's Bake Shop - their cannolis are my weakness). I would recommend this stay to anyone visiting NYC. It's cleaner and bigger than some NYC hotel rooms I've stayed in and it is a fraction of the cost.