Maria was a wonderful host - warm and friendly, and very forgiving of me arriving an hour late to meet her! She gave me clear directions to her place, some great tips for the neighbourhood and the number of an ace local driver who took me to the airport on my way out.
The apartment is in a huge old 1920s block with a majestic lobby. It's small but has a really lovely feel and is cosy warm in chilly weather! I really enjoyed coming back late at night and snuggling up in my little oasis. The bed is supremely comfortable, too.
I was in manhattan every day and found getting in and out a breeze on the q train. Takes about 30 mins. The neighbourhood may seem a bit rough on first glance, but as a single woman walking around at night I never had any problems or felt a bad vibe.
If you're looking for somewhere slick and glamorous, this is not for you. If you're after character, value and a great host, you'll be happy here.