I have just returned to Australia from a fantastic week in New York City , unfortunately without my husband, staying on the upper east side in a premium location that gave me easy walking access to places like the Frick and the Whitney and the Metropolitan, with the Guggenheim not too far away either. And plenty of delicious eateries close at hand as well.

Christina's guest room was lovely and unexpectedly large with a closet to hang clothes and a huge chest of drawers which had a brand new flat screen tv in the cabinet above it. The local tv news gave me lots of excellent ideas for places to go and things to do. The bathroom actually has a bath which was an added bonus for a weary traveler on arrival. The space was lovely and private. Perfect for a solo traveller or a couple.

While the bedroom was more than adequate in size with a window that opens for fresh air and gives an expansive view onto the back patio areas of several apartment blocks, my use of the rest of the apartment was restricted to the kitchen. This was fine as I was able to keep a few supplies in the fridge and make cups of tea and breakfast in the mornings, as well as keeping a bottle of wine cold. Christina supplied lovely china and glasses for my use. My room had a couch and a desk which were great additions to my enjoyment of my NYC stay.

Having a doorman in position 24 hours a day is a bonus too but New Yorkers would expect this service, especially in this upper east side area. The underground is just a seven minute way away at East 68th (Hunter College) and from there I had easy access to Lower Manhatten, visiting the Statue of Liberty one day and the Tenement Museum in SoHo (ie south of Houston St) another. I thoroughly recommend both these outings with my visit to the Tenement building on Orchard Street being an unexpected historical highlight, as was my visit to the Frick. What a dream of a museum!

Thank you for your hospitality, Christina, as you gave me a home away from home, from which I had easy access to all the amazing experiences I was lucky enough to enjoy including seeing the Broadway play If/Then on my last night in the Big Apple. Brilliant! My experiences were so much nicer having a real home to return to each evening with a welcoming light, instead of just an empty hotel room.

Thanks, Christina.