Lydia is an easygoing informative and welcoming host, all aspects of my stay were laid out very clearly. Her apartment is simple, comfortable, homey and warm. I arrived during a brutal cold snap, and I was very happy to know I'd be well protected from the freeze outside.

The neighbourhood is great. Archetypal Lower East Side, still a bit gritty, and achingly hip. All in a good way. Galleries, designers, cool stuff everywhere. Lydia's local coffee and eating suggestions were fantastic, I tried almost all of them.

I had a memorable stay.