Location: this was my third stint using Airbnb in NYC, previously I've stayed in Brooklyn and Queens. Staying in Staten Island added about 30 minutes to the commute into Manhatten each way but the ferry is free and offers a decent view of the Statue of Liberty so its not much of an inconvenience. Free parking!!! Usually, I take a bus in (I live in DC), but on this occasion, we drove instead. Being able to park at the property definitely saved us money and there is only one $15 toll heading into Staten Island. The property itself is extremely close to St. George's Ferry Terminal, reachable by four different bus lines. Nearby is a bodega that has basic needs at good prices.
The unit: private basement unit with its own entrance. I was misled by the pictures and thought we were renting a 1 BR with two couches. Turns out its more like a loft plus 1 BR. Two queen beds were a very pleasant surprise since our party consisted of four adults. Good water pressure in shower. The kitchen had the basics we needed to fix a quick breakfast. Everything was clean, clean, clean. Fast WiFi.
The hosts: helpful and flexible. They were great about communicating with us before our arrival. We got into town earlier than expected and they were flexible about letting us check-in early (granted this may vary depending on availability, we were lucky it was not booked the day before us). They gave us a great rundown of the area and how to get around. We did not require a ton of help since we are acquainted with the city, but if we did need any, I would have felt comfortable reaching out.
Value: cannot beat it!