10/10 Excellent
Jill F., Swarthmore
Aug 14, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical Experience.
A few days before our arrival, a previous guest posted a review that could potentially deter others from experiencing this magical place. This would be truly sad. So here is a review from another perspective. I am a middle-aged white woman, married to a not-yet-middle-aged white woman, blessed to be raising our 9-year-old African American son. We rented Margo's home for 3 weeks this summer while our son attended Manhattan School of Music's summer jazz program. The accommodations exceeded our expectations. This is 900-sq-feet of open-concept living with charm and comfort. It was super comfortable for the 3 of us. It has been well-designed and appointed to anticipate needs and deliver other unexpected luxuries, The owner, Margo, and her family are thoughtful, gracious, communicative, and responsive without being intrusive in any way. We could not ask for more and have experienced much less in other rentals over the years. But - the physical property was only a portion of what made this experience so magical. Harlem, this neighborhood, this street in particular, are joyful. Yes, neighbors gather on their steps and on the sidewalk on nice summer evenings to share covered dishes, play dominoes, listen to music, chat and laugh together. They are every shade of black and brown. When we would pass they would smile, engage us with greetings, and often compliment our chosen t-shirts or my funky new hairstyle. We ALWAYS felt safe. The gatherings would dissipate at an appropriate time in the evening and we enjoyed restful sleep every night for 21 nights. In closing, if encountering a group of people who don't look like you, who are enjoying life and each other in THEIR neighborhood offends you, my advice is to check your privilege. But do not blame the people, this neighborhood, this property, or this homeowner. That is unfounded and misinformed. PS. We have already booked another 3 weeks for next summer and will walk the 20-minutes each way to our son's school and enjoy the sights, sounds, cuisine, theater and people of Harlem once again.
Jill F.
Stayed 21 nights in Jul 2019
