THE ULTRA COOL MIDTOWN SUPERSTUDIO *EXTENDED STAY DISCOUNTS!

The apartment was exactly as advertised. The location is all right, convenient to the 9th and 10th Avenue buses and the 8th Avenue subway line. The neighborhood is an interesting mix of commercial and residential places. There are good restaurants and shopping within walking distance. The 24-hour deli directly across the street is convenient. We found the people we dealt with (Alec and Aida) very pleasant. We had some problems with the TV cable reception and Alec straightened them out quickly. We had a very long flight into JFK and Aida made it possible for us to check in earlier than normal.

Background: upper middle class family of three (including 16-yr.-old daughter) from a Chicago suburb on vacation for a week at the start of Aug. I value A/C on hot days, which were in abundance during our stay. We stayed in one of several units that the landlord has in a building in W. Midtown. All units are supposed to be alike. NYC is expensive & space-limited. Given that, this unit was a reasonable deal. The studio apt. was generally as pictured. All clean and fairly modern. The photos are artfully shot to make the unit appear a bit larger than it is (perhaps 450 sq. ft.), sufficient for 3 people, but not spacious. The walk-in closet near the door to the unit (shown on the floor plan) was a locked maid's closet, unavailable for use by the renter. The unit and furniture is well designed. High marks to the couch that folds flat into a full-sized, surprisingly comfy bed, suitable for one large person. Sheets are provided. The true Queen bed in the unit was comfortable if you like firm beds. The "central" A/C was a single floor unit (visible in one picture) with high and low fan buttons & a warm-to-cool dial. Our A/C did not seem to blow faster on the high setting than the low. A provided small portable fan placed over the A/C unit helped to blow the cool air throughout the unit and make it comfortable, although somewhat noisy & a bit warmer than the building hall and lobby. The living room table is small (suitable for 2 people to eat on); 2 folding chairs are OK. A wood parquet floor was nice, but creaked a bit. The bath was fairly modern with large mirrors and space for toiletries. It needed an exhaust fan for steam after a shower. Body wash is provided in two dispensers, as is kleenex and plenty of TP. Towels were newish; 4 each of bath, hand, and washcloths were provided for a week. Shower water was hot and drained well. The galley kitchen was relatively roomy. It had a full dish washer, range/oven, microwave, and coffee maker. No toaster or toaster/oven is pictured, and none was provided, despite the landlord's assurance to the contrary in an e-mail before we booked. There are pots, a small teflon pan, cooking utensils, plastic mixing bowls, and service for 6, although some bowls & silverware were missing. A vigorous exhaust fan in the kitchen helped circulate air in the unit. The free wi-fi worked great, even with 2 computers. The TV was fine. Pay laundry in the bldg. was very nice. 24 hr. concierge/maintenance men were super helpful and responsive.

Our unit was on the 11th floor-very little traffic noise. Futon made a good extra bed for our 16 yr old daughter, other bed was a queen. Apt was clean, building staff friendly and helpful. Studio was about 500 SF, which is big by NY standards. Apt168 people did all that was promised. Only complaint was no toaster. AM/PM mini-mart right across the street. 3 blocks to subway at Penn Station (34th St)A,C,E line-not the best but OK to get around. Husband thought AC could be better, but temps were in the 90s.