Our stay at The Hancock was truly amazing! Firstly, due to the airline, we had some delays. Richelle reassured us and helped calm us to let us know there were no concerns and still made sure she was there to greet us when we eventually did arrive. The fridge was fully decked out with food and drink for us - which was truly welcoming. The apartment is gorgeous. It more than suited us and in fact we ended up using the couch/pull-out bed as a spare bed to give the kids a little more freedom from each other (which is always ideal when spending so much time together!)
Whilst in New York, we did so much. The subway (Utica Station) is very accessible and about 25 minutes from Brooklyn to the middle of Manhattan. The 6 or 7 block walk down Stuyvestant Road to the station is like travelling to Sesame Street - with beautiful brownstone apartments nestled in amongst the gorgeous trees. There is some great eating in Brooklyn - try the pizza at Dumbo near the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge. Manhattan was extraordinarily busy; so most nights we ended up catching a taxi back from there to Brooklyn for about 25 to 27 US dollars max (tell them it is on Hancock Street between Malcolm X and Stuyvestant).
As for your stay at The Hancock, you will be able to access the apartment at your will. It is a very comfortable stay and the amenities are perfect; be it for a couple wanting to stay away, or as in our situation, a family with teenage children. (It would also suit young children too!)
The process of booking with airbnb is simple and the communication with Richelle and Pela was very easy. Mostly, though, I will say that as hosts they are VERY caring about your stay and endeavour to make sure you are enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of New York.
Before we booked, my wife and I were a little bit hesitant about the notion of staying in a bnb in Brooklyn with people we had no idea about, but I can honestly say that we are true fans of the way Richelle and Pela ran this apartment and looked after us all...yet weren't in our face at the same time!! The apartment is very clean and private and the savings in costs were significant to us - rather than spending twice as much to stay on Manhattan in a hotel room where you can't even fit in your bags, let alone have access to your own kitchen facilities... although to be fair, we mostly used that for breakfast so we could eat out in beautiful New York.
How fortunate you will be if you choose to stay with Richelle and Pela while you enjoy the magic of New York!