Staying at Rachel's place was disappointing. I wouldn't stay here again and here's why:
First off, Rachel isn't responsive. When we initially booked, she didn't respond to my text, nor did she respond when we landed and told her our revised ETA. She didn't respond when we asked about toilet paper in the apartment (we were left with one small roll for a two night stay for two people). We ran out on the second night and couldn't find where she kept the stash. Come to find out, there was no stash. We went to buy additional TP which is ridiculous and contradicts spending money to stay at a place -- you should be supplied with basic toiletries such as toilet paper. Would a hotel make you go buy your own? She didn't respond to that inquiry either. Then, she didn't leave us any instruction for checkout and instead awkwardly arrives 10 mins prior to checkout time (11am) and asks to come into the apartment to grab the sheets. (Creating an awkward, unwelcoming and "get out so I can move on to the next guest" feeling). We were early to check out - there was no need to rush us.
Other annoying things about her place:
Noisy toilet (hold down handle to flush otherwise you'll hear it running all night)
$100 cleaning fee - seriously? For a small studio that just needs basic light picking up after our stay.
Only got two bath towels for two people for two nights. Had to keep re-using.
Listing says "luxury bath products." Ok, if a mostly empty bottle of Head & Shoulders and Pantene Pro-V are your idea of luxury.
TV does not work, not sure why it's there. No tissue (not to be confused with the one roll of TP you're given), no full-length mirror. Eating take out was especially fun on the tiny appetizer plates (nothing larger).
Noisy street level, hear outside conversations and people entering and exiting the building main entrance right outside the apartment.
Street light outside is bright and curtains are quite sheer. Yes the park is a block away and it's convenient if you need to be uptown at the hospitals or Columbia, but you can find much better spots with more thoughtful and kind hosts, and a better night's sleep. This spot is clean and minimalistic, and if that's all you're looking for, then fine.
For someone who has lived in New York and has been an AirBNB host in this city, I was unimpressed and would not stay here again.