While I never met Eilon in person, he welcomed us with clear instructions and responded to all texts with alacrity.

Eilon's apartment is even better than his photographs. He has a thriving collection of air plants, cacti and other house plants clustered by the windows. The flat is spacious with wondrous light and beautifully decorated with Eilon's photographs.

The beds were super comfortable with generous closet space in the smaller bedroom. The kitchen is tiny but well-stocked with coffee, tea, oils and spices.

While much of our week was spent visiting museums, restaurants and gardens in Manhattan, staying at Eilon's flat gave us the freedom to explore several Brooklyn neighborhoods by foot or train.

Everyone I know familiar with the city agrees that Carrol Gardens is one of the best neighborhoods in all of NYC. Eilon's flat is only an 8-minute walk to the F train on Carrol and Smith (and this train station has a Momofuko Milk Bar!) Immediately around the corner on Henry St, you'll find excellent pastries at Henry's Local and sublime pizza at Lucali. The laundromat minutes away on President and Henry. Other essential stops on Henry include Mazzola Bakery, desert at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, and Key Food for high-quality fresh groceries. Brunch at Buttermilk Channel on Court St is only 11 minutes away on foot and worth the wait. We had a wonderfully spicy meal 10 minutes way at Pok Pok Phat Thai on Columbia St. Also had a terrific Mexican tapas-style meal at Xixa (pronounced 'shiksa') in Williamsburg.

We loved walking the loop of boutiques and restaurants on Court and Smith Streets, sandwiched by 9th St and Atlantic Ave. It filled us with happiness to weave in out of the cross streets filled with beautiful brownstones and little jewel-like parks.

It's also just 25 minutes by train to DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Eilon is a responsive host; his apartment is enviable and well-located for exploring. Overall, our experience was just about perfect.