It was my first time visiting New York and I always wanted to stay in an New York apartment, and I came upon Herani and Nadir's apartment by a stroke of luck, and what great luck it turned out to be. If you're staying in New York, consider staying at Herani's AirBnb!

Why? Let's begin, their price is considerably WAY cheaper than most hotel in NY. If I'm staying in the "city that never sleeps", why would you pay $XXX amount a night to stay at a place where you're going to be out most of the time and just need a place to keep your luggage? As soon as I arrived, Herani was more than welcoming. Her energy is so warm and the apartment is so comforting. The listing is exactly as described. The apt. is decorated beautifully with artwork (photographs from Nadir) and the place is spacious. When you enter your room, it honestly feels like you're in a hotel. The room is clean, the bed is made with towels and soap for you to use, there are magazines for your viewing pleasure on top of the dresser, access to their wi-fi is listed as well (the internet is fast, like whooosh or zoom zoom mazda commercial fast), there is a personal air conditioner in the room, and the pillows on the bed were just really, really, soft. I've consider stealing the pillows but A. I only brought one suitcase, and B. I had to upload my license to AirBnb, so there's that. BUT I'VE CONSIDERED IT BASED ON HOW SOFT IT IS.

The host made you feel welcomed from the minute you walk in. Herani wanted you to feel as if the apartment was your during your stay and I did. You ever stay at a person's place and you feel like you're in a museum and you can't touch anything? Yeah, not here. I felt truly comfortable in their place. (BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE COURTEOUS, BE KIND AND CLEAN.)

Herani recommended places to eat and check out and she told me about the neighborhood and Astoria is a safe place. The neighborhood is homely and family oriented. Everything is accessible! The train station is less than a 5 minute walk from their apt as well as everything else. There is a Rite Aid, an amazing burger place, frozen yogurt, banks, neighborhood grocery stores, flower store, ethnic restaurants, all within 5 to 10 mins walking. The area is well lit so you're not going to get stabbed or robbed or anything like that. You might get drunk because there are SO MANY places to eat and drink around their apt! There is even a restaurant under the apt, Ovelia! How convenient!

Overall, my visit was wonderful, and it was because the host were wonderful. Because when you leave your home to come to a new, strange city, and you stay at their place, you're home. Thank you Herani and Nadir!

:-)