This was my first experience with AirBnB. I had heard about it from a friend at a Theatre conference. If my Host (and their cats) are at all typical of the AirBnB experience, I am changing the way I travel from here on out. Now, Specifics. My Host was welcoming and a great resource. They were a savvy insider as to where to go, which subways to take, good eateries, etc. The apartment is located close to a laundry, major subway and bus lines and sights. My Host was congenial, interesting and interested in me as a guest. I had 'space' when I wanted it, a great collection of books and a comfy, homey room where I could r-e-l-a-x. Yes, there is some city noise. It is in NYC, after all, but I slept fine. Everyone I passed on the street was either just either in a hurry or helpful - no rudeness from anyone. Last of all - The cats. The fixed male is a delight and the female is quite the lady cat. It was wonderful to wake up and have some cats around to make me feel really at home.
My room was clean, the sheets fresh and the bathroom fine:-)
This was so much like staying with a friend. Yes, it's an older apartment building and it is not as swank as the NYC Hilton. The building has an elevator but I normally took the stairs and saw how the tenants kept their floors and it was obviously well lived in, well cared for and a community. I accept the compromises of giving up some luxury for a lot of savings and some 'authentic' living vs. generic 'hotel room'.
All in all, I am switching to AirBnB from now on and regret that I had a standard Hotel (already booked) for my next stay.
Thank you for introducing this older traveller to a new way of doing things.