Everything we needed and more!
Submitted: August 1, 2011
Stayed: July 2011
My sister and I decided on a Mom's Weekend -- no kids, no husbands, just us and the Big Apple. It was my sister's first trip to New York and my third, so I decided (being both the oldest and the "travel agent" for our trip) that we should stay in Harlem to soak up some culture yet be close to all the attractions. This location, this apartment and these owners could not have been a better choice for us!
My sister is very picky -- a borderline neat freak, it was the last week in July, so temperatures were in the upper 80s & mid-90s, and neither of us had ever stayed in Harlem. I've stayed in vacation rentals in LA, San Diego and Orlando over the past few years, so I felt as though I'd found attentive owners who cared about our experience. This place was a dream with central air!
The apartment is in an area that has an urban tempo, but it was not scary. My sister felt totally safe as a new visitor to NY and to Harlem. We walked "home" at night from the Metro Station and felt fine. The hustle and bustle of the local shops was comforting, and everything one could want is just a block away in any direction. When I arrived, I walked a block away to some amazing Bahamanian Carribean food (called Bajan); the workers were lovely and friendly, and when I was grocery shopping, I ran into the same workers just outside of the market and exchanged hellos. I felt right at home after that!
The place itself is clean (it met my sister's strict standards), and as moms we noted how perfectly clear of clutter it is, just right for a family with little ones.
Christine and Tony were over-the-top accommodating with a handy umbrella which I was grateful for in a downpour which Tony cautioned me about when I collected the keys; over-the-phone, step by step directions from the bus stop to their property and immaculate directions for picking up my sister from JFK using the Metro; they even gave me their cell number just in case I got lost on my journey; we also got an early check-in -- better than any hotel with the best concierge at a fraction of the cost!
My sister and I got to every place we wanted to go using the Metro, and at night we hit a few hot spots in Harlem by hiring a car. It is important to be safe when ever traveling, and we practiced all the safety measures as women in a big city should. That said, I cannot recommend this place more highly for women traveling alone or families.
I plan to bring my hubbie & boys -- both under 10 -- next trip ... maybe!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Dear Traveling Mom,
So glad you and your sister enjoyed your stay at 121TownHouse. It was our pleasure to host your accommodations! We try to treat our guests just like we want to be treated, when we travel. Thank you again for the very thoughtful note and review! Definitely, brought a smile to our faces. Hope to see you again soon, on your next visit to the Big Apple.
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