My wife and I stayed with Lyndell for a few days in November. We were in NYC to see my brother-in-law run in the Marathon. Lyndell was a very gracious and welcoming hostess. We truly felt at home. The apartment is very nice and was very well-maintained (spotless). Our room was sufficiently spacious for two adults to unpack and set up temporary shop, as it were. As a guest, you have access to the apartment, and the living room is quite comfortable, so if you want to avoid Manhattan's hustle and bustle, you certainly can. The apartment is located in a very nice neighborhood on the Upper West Side, and the subway is only a block or so away. Regardless, local amenities are available, including an excellent Italian restaurant Bo No. WIFI works well.
Keep in mind that you are/will be a guest in Lyndells' home. The privacy of your room is 100% respected, but the rest of the space is common space. She is a charming and interesting person, so sharing a morning pot of coffee with her is a pleasure, but if you are the type of person how needs/wants a fully self-contained domicile, this may not be for you.
I guess the best summary is that if we need accommodation in NYC, she will be the first person we contact.