Yann is accommodating and is very responsive to emails.
The space: Walk-up is a little tough but, if we can, you probably can too, barring any significant mobility concerns. When you get to the top there’s a very clean and surprisingly quiet space with a nice partial view of the freedom tower and a SUPER comfortable bed!! By day 5, after walking many many hours through the week, the stairs were a little daunting but also felt kinda like part of the experience of “living” in this wonderful and historic neighbourhood,. (This building was built in 1874, btw)
The apartment is one room plus a kitchen and a bathroom and a small closet. There’s one set of drawers (host’s belongings are in the drawers) upon which you can put a suitcase and a closet where you can hang things but it’s not super convenient if you’re two people with two suitcases. Perfect for one.
It was super hot when we arrived and the host has a great air conditioner that cools off the room very quickly.
The bed is the only real space to sit in the main room. If you need a laptop friendly workspace the tiny kitchen table can do ok but not if you have to spread out. There is not a television, rather a huge projector screen that comes down from the cieling. It’s pretty cool. There is No cable TV - you can create a PlayStation account using the console there and access your Netflix account or Amazon, etc.
Minor downfalls:
- Only 2 feather pillows. If you love more pillows or are allergic, keep this in mind.
- No body wash provided
- Not enough hand soap provided
- No microwave or electric coffee maker (not that these things were promised but they are common items some people may be expecting)
The following two items, I feel, are not the fault of the Host - rather part of being in a 145 year old building - but I think they could ruin someone’s good time, depending who you are, and should be mentioned:
- We were without hot water for two of the days. Hubby had a very cold shower one day during which I laughed at him and I totally skipped my shower on another day after running the water for a very long time without it getting warm
- I saw a mouse eating my bagel on the counter. Not a huge deal to me, (I live in a 100 year old house and have experience with mice) I just cleaned up all crumbs and kept all food in the fridge and all garbage in the secure bin and I didn’t hear/see any more activity. This wouldn’t stop me from renting here again but someone terrified of mice could have an issue.
This apartment gives you the opportunity to be right in an amazing neighbourhood that is mellow and fun and just a block away from Spring Street subway station and steps away from top-notch restaurants, cafes, shopping, a short walk to Little Italy, comedy venues, great little bars. This apartment basically sits above a fantastic street of restaurants (one is rated #1 of all 10,500 restaurants in NYC on trip advisor), and in what must be the greatest neighbourhood in New York. I will return.