I had a really nice stay in Mercedes’ apartment. Mercedes is fun to talk to and a responsive host. The room was comfortable for sleeping and resting. I didn’t find the room conducive to studying or working remotely because there was no desk or good outside lighting, but there were some great laptop-friendly cafes just a few minutes walk, with delicious food and coffee, namely Duaa and Salento. Overall it’s a great option on a budget in Manhattan and I would stay again. I recommend the local train station at 163rd/ St Nicholas over the 168th express, as it had a cleaner and safer vibe. It’s also super close to the apartment.