First of all, stop looking and book NOW. This is a gem! The pictures really don't do the apartment justice. It is so cute, and was the perfect space for my husband and I to stay for a week. I cannot express this enough, this is the cleanest AirBNB I have ever stayed in, the fact that it's a basement apartment makes it even more impressive by how immaculate the space is kept. I feel like we pulled in a lot of dirt with us in all our coming and going so it was amazing how detailed this place was. (It also smells very pleasant, but not in an overwhelming way).
The apartment is very well decorated, giving it a very "at home" feel. Frances has really thought of everything too, which is the icing on the cake. It is well appointed with every single thing you could ever need.
The bed is very soft and comfortable, and I love that there were 2 fans to use. Also wonderful that the TV swiveled so we could watch from the couch or bed after long days in the city.
Shower has great pressure and plenty of hot water (for reference, I have waist length thick, curly hair and there was no issue! This is SUPER important for me!)
The unit was extremely private, and we often liked to leave the door propped open (there is a little kick stand) for extra light and air in the morning and evening. Nobody bothered us, and the extra little privacy fence up top added to that sense of safety.
The subway stops were super close by and everything was so easy to navigate, we were really able to ease into it as first timers- instead of being thrown right into the rush of Manhattan.
The neighborhood is such a wonderful and diverse place, with so much to soak in and experience. Great shops and restaurants to be found, and a bodega on just about every corner! We always felt safe, even walking back very late. All the people we encountered were lovely and helpful when needed.
As for Frances, I easily see why she is a superhost. From the beginning to the end of our interactions she was so warm, easy to talk to, and willing to be accommodating. She was always super quick to respond too! I'm more than impressed by her, she is absolutely wonderful!
You will not find a better value in NYC!
The cons are very small here:
The basement is great for sleeping in, but can feel a bit stuffy (this is probably more of a personal thing, I tend to run very hot anyway so the fans provided were crucial) My husband has mild asthma and found it a bit hard to breathe at times, but it's also a bad time for allergies too, so that's something to take into consideration. We were never uncomfortable, and we would still stay again!
We had a few humid days, and it seems like if we ran the washer and dryer some mild condensation would form near the bed on the floor- but it wasn't anything to alarm over and would go away very quickly.
You will hear the neighbor above you, but the fans will help drown that out. If you're super sensitive to noises I'd recommend earplugs, but I'd consider myself very noise sensitive and it wasn't really a big deal.
If you know these things going in, (and that they make perfect sense for ANY basement) you'll be golden.