We stayed here for a week in October 08. We had a warm welcome from our hosts upon arrival and they were helpful throughout the week. The bedroom was large, clean and very comfortable. We loved the decor of the house in general. Not normally a fan of shared bathrooms but there was never a queue! Breakfast in the kitchen was ample and set us up for the long days sight seeing. I was a little concerned about the Harlem location but it felt really safe and it was only a short walk to the subway and very easy to access the rest of NYC. We would definitely stay here again and have already recommended to friends.

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The room was nice, but a little noisy. Unfortunately we came one month after the owner passed away. We where well wellcomed by Michael, a friend of Hugh. In our four days stay the shared bath was never cleaned. The breakfast was really good, we found our table well prepared. We took ourt breakfast alone. We never had a dinner there so we are not able to evaluate the cooking.

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Interesting neighborhood with some nice houses (often in the process of renovation). Free public pool next door! Big rooms with interesting decor and high ceilings but a bit dark (lack of electric power in the bulbs...)

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Our room was nicely appointed and comfortable. The proprieter was very accommodating and the house is just around the corner from the 116th Street subway station.

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This place was amazing!!!

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My wife and I spend some days at this beatiful house with the good company of his owner. It feel like being home. The house has this lovely old england decoration. The room and the bed are excelent. It´s important to know that is not near Downtown, but a subway station is only a block away. Really recommend and hope to came back to this house in the future.

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I recently visited to New York for the first time and felt totally at home in this private, quiet, friendly and beautiful home. It truly felt like my own home, and I was made to feel welcome and comfortable. I had delicious coffee and toast each morning in the large, bright private kitchen/dining room with fresh flowers on the table. I had it all to myself and it felt like my own private hideway in New York. I had a great time and highly recommend Elegant Retreats as a very special place.

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We wish to thank you for your very pleasant accomodation, and your warm welcome. We enjoyed our stay very much, and particulary the privacy and 'homefeeling' in the residence. We had a great time in the big city, and certainly will return.

In the heart of an historic neighbourhood, Elegant Retreats offered us a wonderful experience in gracious living. With pristine bed linen on a beautifully elegant bed, in a tastefully restored brownstone, there was an attention to detail on the part of the host which reminded me of the history of lives of privilege in grand nineteenth century houses. Absolutely brilliant.

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My husband and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. We needed somewhere really special and private. From the moment we arrived at Elegant Retreats: from the friendly host, elegant and welcoming wine and cheese reception, to our gorgeous, beautifully furnished blue room, we felt instantly welcome. I shall never forget our visit to this special home. Breakfast was served in the lovely period kitchen where the table was set with fresh linens and fine china. The whole place was so quiet and private we felt we had the house to ourselves. My husband and I cannot wait to return, and will never forget the lovely fresh flower bouquet that greeted us in our bedroom. Elegant Retreats was a friendly and delightful home away from home.

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Dr Crane was very kind and friendly and offered me sandwiches and a welcoming glass of sherry on my arrival, but I didn't see him (or indeed anyone else!) for the rest of the week. The house has definitely seen better days. When I was there in April 2008, it was rundown and, frankly, dirty. I had to share the badly ventilated bathroom. The shower was a plastic curtain in a bathtub. And the whole house was musty. I was also required to pay the full week's accommodation in advance - no credit cards accepted.

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The incomparable luxury of a superlative room in a tasteful period home, with a distinguished knowledgeable host, in an historic neighbourhood, adjacent to the subway and bus, makes this a magnificient sanctuary in contrast to the tireless pace, diversity of attractions and infinite choice in New York. Unrivaled opportunity, an absolute must.

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What a sensational house ... and proprietor! We were somewhat apprehensive about a B&B in Harlem, having been warned by my Connecticut-based daughter of lack of security on the streets at night and especially in the subway. Our proprietor is to be congratulated on the beauty of the internal restoration and furnishing of his house (I loved the old street map of Paris above our wonderfully comfortable brass bed)and the sheer helpfulness of his hospitality. It extended not only to a great pot of tea on arrival but to a walkabout thereafter which included pointing out good eating establishments, shops and even a quick visit to the subway! By the end we were totally relaxed walking the streets after dinner. Our only regrets were that we missed his talk in the Met and could not stay longer .

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My mother and I spent 4 nights at Elegant Retreats just last week and enjoyed a wonderful stay. We did not know quite what we were getting into (this was our first time staying at a B&B in NYC), but would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a change from expensive Manhattan hotels. We loved the calm, private breakfasts and getting to live somewhat like a New Yorker for a few days. The staff was more than helpful and had great restaurant recommendations for us. 5 stars!

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We had an excellent stay and I can truly recommend it. Great hospitaility in a very charming house.

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We were accomodated in a beautiful, friendly, gracious, and comfortable home. Elegant Retreats is a very special and enchanting place for a tranquil and delicious break. All the excitement of New York is just outside the door. It is beautifully run with great personal care and attention to detail. We felt so very well taken care of and look forward to going back many times.

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Had a very good time. Great bed and room. Loved the A/C

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To step off a street in Manhattan into a house which could easily be in London and be treated like family is not what we expected - but an experience we would love to repeat and would highly recommend

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Ours was the most unexpected and heavenly 5-day stay. Elegant Retreats is a very serene place to stay, situated near the hustle and bustle of Upper West Side. There was always a homemade delicacy for us in the morning for breakfast. Managers, David and Kate, provided excellent recommendations for activities and restaurants, and always greeted us with a glass of wine at the end of our evenings out. Our room was very comfortable, and the shared bathroom still seemed quite private. We look forward to returning.

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