This was our first Air B&B experience, so we didn't really know what to expect. We didn't expect the royal treatment, but that's exactly what we got. After a long day navigating airports, planes, and taxi lines on our cross country trek, we arrived well after the dinner hour. We planned to drop our luggage and head out for food somewhere nearby. When we called Doug from the entry, he came down and carried our suitcases upstairs. Our hosts offered us delicious homemade soup, bread, wine, and conversation while we ate. What a perfect start to our vacation!
Doug's loft is bright, comfortable, and quiet. The decor is very artsy - part gallery, part curio shop in a spacious living space filled with greenery. The TV area is well separated from the bedroom, in case one person wants to stay up later or get up earlier than the other. Don't be fooled by the less than glamorous entry to the building. Once you get inside, the loft is great.
The neighborhood is an authentic residential area, not touristy. There are many shops and reasonably priced restaurants of varying ethnicities nearby. If you are here in warm weather, take an evening stroll up to Sunset Park for people watching and a view of the Statue of Liberty as well as a bit of exercise. The neighborhood is safe day or night.
Access to Manhattan is easy via train just a few blocks away. Or take the B70 bus up 39th St. and on to 8th Ave. to visit Brooklyn's Chinatown - authentic not touristy. Dim sum at 8th Ave. and 65th St. is great. You can get there on the B70 bus without a transfer.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Doug's loft, and we highly recommend it. It's a taste of real Brooklyn.