We couldn't asked for more warm, welcoming, and wonderful hosts in Zora & Chris, and their quintessential brownstone home in Bedstuy (now our new favorite neighborhood in NYC!) allowed us to experience the vibrancy of Brooklyn.
We arrived late at night and were still greeted personally by our hosts (Chris graciously carrying our luggage upstairs), who walked us through their fully stocked kitchen complete with spices, living/dining rooms with a plush couch and reclining chairs, bedroom with lots of storage and wardrobe space (perfect for hanging our black tie clothes since we were attending a wedding), and cozy bathroom with ample towels. The A/C and fan in the bedroom also came in handy, and the place remained comfortable despite heat, humidity, and rain during our stay. We also appreciated the curated art and decor that told stories of the rich Caribbean/Black cultures and histories of Bedstuy and beyond. Throughout our stay, Chris & Zora were responsive and supportive.
Our favorite part of staying with Zora & Chris were the moments we spent just chatting on the front stairs in the evening while people-watching, learning more about their two decades in Brooklyn and the changes they've seen and experienced, and feeling a sense of community as they waved and offered help to their neighbors walking by.
Finally, a plug for this very underrated neighborhood in Brooklyn along with a few of our favorite spots nearby: we enjoyed the convenience of being close to the A & C transit lines which made it easy to get around (a third of our time was spent in Manhattan), there's Corto Cafe which is a cute spot to work on the same block, Stuy Burgers which does incredible grilled burgers and is open late, Prospect Park to run or picnic at, and Dumbo for a romantic evening stroll or outdoor sports with glittering views of the city skyline over the water.