We visit New York City twice each year and we typically stay in an AirBnB and usually in the Long Island City/Astoria area. So we’re very aware of what to expect and what the neighborhoods there are like. This rental probably falls in the lower half of all our stays. It isn’t bad, but there are a lot of things that could be better.
The hallway leading to the apartment is very worn and doesn’t feel clean. There is a sign near the front door requesting guests to remove their shoes. I’m fine with that, but I don’t really see the point when the living room carpet looks quite dirty and worn. There is a mish-mash pile of cloth slippers near the door—I presume to wear in the apartment. I’m not about to put my bare feet into those community slippers—ugh!
Fortunately, the temperatures for our June visit were very mild. I wouldn’t have wanted to be staying in this apartment if there was any kind of heat wave. There is one window a/c in the back bedroom. The only way to cool the kitchen/dining area is to leave that bedroom door open. Another window a/c is in the living room and if you want to cool the front bedroom, then you have to leave that door open. So, if you don't want it too hot, there is no privacy for the bedrooms if anyone wants to use the kitchen or living room when others are sleeping or changing clothes.
The kitchen is poorly organized and stocked. For 4 people there are 4 wine glasses and a few mugs—nowhere near sufficient. We only had cold breakfasts in the apartment and we ate other meals out. But, if we had intended to cook, there were practically no pots and pans. The kitchen cupboards are a disorganized jumble. The most common cleaning supplies were air fresheners and spray renuzits—enough said.
The wifi was fine. The beds were comfortable. The towels weren’t so good. The shower is a bit dangerous. If someone turns on the kitchen sink, even for just a very short time, the shower becomes almost instantly scalding hot. There should be some kind of warning sign in the kitchen. The front bedroom’s closet was full of junk and open and it was kind of spilling out into the room.
The AirBnB listing for this property says that breakfast is provided. Usually that means that the place is stocked with a variety of breakfast items like eggs, bread, cereal, jam, butter, milk, coffee and tea. There were a few Keurig coffee pods and some tea bags—that’s it. Since we really weren’t that happy with other aspects of the apartment, I didn’t bother making a fuss about it. Instead it was easier for us to buy those things for ourselves. When communicating with the owner later, I mentioned about the breakfast and she said that we didn’t ask for it. That’s kind of lame. If the listing says there is a/c, I shouldn’t have to ask for a/c in order for it to be there. Same for breakfast.
The location is good with lots of different subway lines at a couple of nearby stations—one a five minute walk and the others about 10 minutes. There are a few small shops in the vicinity but no decent-sized grocery store that we saw.
Most AirBnBs have a notebook in the unit with lots of information about the house and the neighborhood. Practical information like how the owner wants us to lock up the outer doors at night and where to take trash and what restaurants and stores are nearby would be very helpful.
This isn’t a bad place and for many people it would be just fine. With a rather small amount of work (and new floor covering in the living room) it could be very nice. In any case, I’ve found too many other better places in the area on previous visits. I wouldn’t plan to stay at this AirBnB again.