Sankofa Aban Bed and Breakfast

I stayed at Sankofa Aban during my first ever visit to New York. I was concerned a little bit since I was travelling alone and had never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before. However, I had a very pleasant experience in New York and at Sankofa Aban and my concerns were all for nothing! My room was the "Country Blues" and everything was very sufficient for one person and the room itself was lovely. Jazz sessions on Friday and Saturday were brilliant and the fish fry was great! Debbie, who was my host, was a wonderful person, very very helpful and laid-back. People who stayed at the Inn were also very nice people and every morning we had long breakfast conversations and we shared our experiences in New York and told stories. The breakfasts were very tasty as well (the serving time was a bit late for one day but it wasn't a huge deal). Even though my initial plan was to go to the Inn just to sleep at night, the loveliness and welcoming warmth of the atmosphere of Sankofa Aban made me feel at home and not at a "cold" hotel. When I go back to New York, I will definitely stay at Sankofa Aban. It really add to my trip and overall experience in New York. I am very pleased. Highly recommended!

Quiet & friendly neighbourhood, lovely hostess, Victorian-style furnishings and decor, amazing jazz nights, lotsa steps inside so ask for lower floor if you need to :), good breakfast although a bit tardy both days, great coffee!

My wife and I spent nine nights at Debbie's B& B in late September. We had been in Washington for a week and arrived in NY by Amtrak at Penn Station. There was a bit of culture shock for two Western Canadians when we got off the A train at the Nostrand Ave stop. I knew some of the hisory of Bedford Steyvesant from reading up on the area. Debbie's warm welcome quickly made us feel comfortable. We had read previous reviews and one of the selling points in those reviews was the Friday night jazz sessions. That experience was fantastic with great session musicians and the featured vocalist that Friday being Carla Cook, a grammy nominated artist. Expectations would have been a couple hours of being entertained. Reality was an expereince with two sessions that lasted an hour and a half separated by a fish fry and some "Speakeasy" libations. During our stay we met an assortmant of other guests from various corners of the globe. That is one great reason to stay at B&B's. Debbie had a tough week when we were there with a three people close to her passing away.This included her taking a quick trip to Bermuda to attend a funeral. Her close network of friends filled her host role admirably when she was away. Thanks to Davy. Commuting to the other burroughs via subway was easy and cost effective. The weekly pass worked great. From Times Square to the Norstrand stop was around 25 minutes. With Debbie's daily trip to the market, she willcustomize a breakfast for you-- just ask. Enjoy Charlie Clarke, Alberta ,Canada

We stayed at Sankofa Aban mid-September 2012 for (sadly) just a one-night layover. What a wonderful period Brownstone Debbie has, and she has made it into a great & comfy B&B! In our case we were taking the opportunity to connect with our son who attends Pratt. This is a GREAT location within walking distance of Pratt and many local businesses & restaurants. We received a warm welcome from Debbie, and were very comfortable in the awesome QUEEN "RED ROOM". Debbie gave us the recommendation to go to "Peaches Hot House" for dinner and our son LOVED the down-home southern cooking and so did we. Thanks so much for a great stay! We intend to return again, hoping for Spring of 2013 or Fall 2013 at the latest!!

I now have a new home in Brooklyn! Back in April, I was overjoyed when I learned that I won tickets to Oprah's Lifeclass in New York at Radio City Music Hall. Over the years,I have frequented NYC many times before. This time, I decided that I wanted to live like a local. The Sankofa Aban Bed and Breakfast exceeded my expectations. Live jazz held on Friday night was enchanting.Jam packed with sounds of true musicianship performed by accomplished local artists playing and singing jazz , blues, gospel and swing. Finger snapping, head bobbing laughter, food and drinks simply flowed.I literally felt as if I was transported back to the Renaissance period. Debbie, the owner is so delightfully charming hostess eager to ensure you have what you need. She tells you to treat her house as your won.You have your own key to your room and front door. You can come and go as you please. Even still, Debbie is very accessible. I don't know what my friend and I would have done without her recommendations. She suggested fabulous underground jazz spots and fine dining restaurants (Thai & French) that only a true native would be privy to. On a cold rainy day, she insisted that I take her shawl to ensure her ill-dressed Texas Sunbelt guest didn't freeze to death. Oh. Did I mention, Debbie held Belly Dances classes at the house too! Breakfast was divine. Each morning presented you with the chance to meet international guests from Australia, Germany and Great Brittan. I cherish each and every conversation. And to think, these connections were made in Brooklyn. I have already shared my experience with friends, family and strangers. Please do NOT pass up an opportunity to stay at this hidden gem in Brooklyn.

We stayed in Sankofa Aban B&B for a week and it was the most wonderful base for our explorations! So close to public transport and a great neighborhood. Everyone was so friendly and breakfast was delicious. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there next time we're in town and we've already recommended it to friends! A relaxed and beautiful B&B!

The Sankofa Aban Bed and Breakfast was like staying at a friends house. Debbie is a wonderful host and I was so glad to stay the two nights I was there. The rooms are cozy and I really enjoyed Debbie's cooking. This place was exactly what I was looking for. I went to New York by myself and didn't want to stay at a hotel where you check in, go into a room, and keep to yourself. Breakfast with Debbie was fun and I enjoyed talking with her. The house is really beautiful and I hope to visit there the next time.

On our first leisure visit to New York to see my daughter on her birthday we got much more than we anticipated at the Sankofa Aban B&B. Debbie went out of her way to make us not only feel at home, but to make Sankofa Aban B&B "OUR" home during our stay. The decor of our home away from home reflects the rich history and culture of the old Brooklyn neighborhood Sankofa Aban B&B is located in. Another thing we did not expect to do on our short weekend visit to New York was to make new friends, but now we have a friend in Debbie along with a few of her friends. In an incident that was not Debbie's fault, Debbie worked through the night to make sure we were comfortable in the morning. We only have one regret, and that is that we did not attend the Jazz festival held weekly at Sankofa Aban B&B on Friday. We will not repeat this mistake next time. God's Blessings. Gary and Linda

Stayed there for two nights. Room was very nice and tastefully decorated. Other guests in the house were very friendly. The house itself is beautiful, with lots of history tied to it. Debbie is a wonderfully engaging host, who makes you feel at home and is passionate about her business and Brookyln. Right near the subway so traveling throughout the city is not an issue. Jazz concerts on Friday night... What's not to love? Next time I am in Brooklyn, I know where I will be staying.

Mrs. Debbie the owner was awesome and we felt right at home plus the subway was right down the street! I would stay there again!

We had a lovely time staying at Sankofa Aban B&B in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. The B&B is gorgeous and the owner Debbie is a lovely person. She attended to our every need - nothing was too much trouble for her. She even took us out for breakfast one day to a lovely cafe with amazing cakes. She was lovely with my son and made both of us feel very welcome in her home. The jazz concert held on a Friday night was also fantastic. I had originally booked to stay at a hotel in Times Square but decided last minute to change my booking to Sankofa Aban due to mainly the price. I definitely made the right decision in staying in Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan. The locals were friendly and I felt totally safe in the neighourhood even at 2am in the morning - definitely safer than in Times Square at night! The only downside was we did not have enough time to explore Brooklyn itself as we only had 4 days. If I am ever lucky enough to be able to return to NY in the future, I would definitely stay in Brooklyn. Thank you Debbie x

I booked this B&B for my in-laws who were visiting NYC from Indiana for the first time. We met Debbie and she was awesome with her service and hospitality. And they loved her ! The A/C train is just a block and a half away. I will totally recommend this for anyone staying NYC

I loved staying here so much! I will definitely stay here the next time I get out to NY! I felt like a local staying here - we had our own key to this cool historical brownstone, and it was within walking distance to the subway and a few great lunch spots - the owner is a trip, and she made us feel like part of the family - can't wait to visit her again! Lindsay

This place has a lot of character and charm, and is as relaxed as it comes! The house is just amazing with lush colours and beautiful details in each room. Debbie made sure we had everything we needed - cold beer, coffee, bagels with salmon and cream cheese, candles, bug spray, you name it! It made it very hard to get of bed in the morning and leave the house, so I guess we'll just have to come back!

We loved our stay at Sankofa Aban. We were in the brown room, which was great-not too hot even on hot july days, very nicely decorated, very comfortable bed. Debbie was very friendly and helpful. No complaints, other than the price, which is high but not high by New York standards. The location was great as far as being in close subway reach to M anhattan and anywhere in Brooklyn.

Flying in from SF, CA, I had a last minute work appt and I needed a place a to stay asap! Thank god for Debbie! All amazing! My regret was not staying longer to really enjoy the house, the Friday night live jazz music, and to spend time to talk with Debbie about this wonderfully renovated house.

The place is great as well as the owner, Debbie, a wonderful person. Be warned though that the neighborhood is not the best in NYC.

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Well I need to end now, because I keep hitting the wrong button. Probably because there is so many wonderful things to say about this neighborhood and the rapid growth, while we work to preserve our best. Sankofa Aban means Remembering the past, to live the future in a protected royal area. Thanks again guys, much love.

There are no words to explain a stay in Debbie's B&B. All is magic, the Inn-cheeper, the brownstone buildings, the rooms, the atmosphere, the breakfast, the friday jazz concert and all peoples you meet. Easy to Manhattan by subway station few undred meters around. Thanks Debbie, that's really a different way to visit N.Y. Paolo & Isa (Italy)

It was an unexpected pleasure to stay with Debbie, I felt like staying with a friend!House is gorgeous and rooms look exactly like in the pictures, if not better. There is a great communal feel and weekly Friday night jazz concert was fantastic. Debbie is truly an amazing person and I look forward to meeting her again. I can strongly recommend this place.

The staff was extreemely friendly. Made the guests feel very welcome.

I have been looking to leave a comment here since September 2010 (7 months ago) which is when I had the extraordinary opportunity to live here for a week...technical difficulties caused MY delay. Better late than never. Debbie Mac, I wish to say, is the quintessential hostess. Her house was my house, and my comfort was her priority. Her radical hospitality, working in tandem with the beautiful architectural vintage-feel of a Brooklyn-Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone, set the stage for a visitation that will be remembered, always, with favor and delight. She is just as accessible as is Manhattan and all the other boroughs from this location. The warmth here disputes, with grace, the NY reputation of being cold and callous.If you are looking for a non-touristic lodging experience in NYC that will give you also a taste of a historic neighborhood like Bed-Stuy, then look no further.

We spent two nights in Sankofa Aban and it was a real pleasure. Beautiful restored rooms, Debbie the owner is an absolutely charming person, make you feel good in a few minutes. The entire place is lovely and romantic. The subway station is just 3 minutes away, with a direct line to Manhattan. The best place we have seen in New York, we will be back as soon as we can. And friday evenings, let's come to Sankofa Aban not only for the B&B, but also for the jazz band and open mic. Highly recommanded !!!

We spent just a few days at Sankofa, but we would have liked to stay longer. The house has been lovely restored, with care to all details. Cleaness is absolute and all bedrooms are warm and cosy. Deborah, the innkeeper, is friendly and available; and she makes great breakfasts as well. The house is located in a nice area in Brooklyn, which can provide a different sightseeing from usual touristic routes in NYC. Stay in Brooklyn and enjoy real NYC atmosphere. We highly recommend Sankofa Aban B&B ! Alberto and Daniela Stayed on: 12/2010

My friend and I spent 5 nights here on our first trip to New York. This B&B has not only been restored with a lot of care and love for the period and for detail, it's also clean: there are no bed bugs and no cockroaches. The innkeeper, Deborah, is charming and very helpful - anything you need to know, simply ask, and she'll point you in the right direction. Manhattan and the airport are very accessible thanks to the B&B's proximity to the subway, and downtown Brooklyn is even within walking distance. When I go back to New York, this is where I'll stay.

My husband and I spent two nights at the Sankofa Aban B&B and left more then pleased. The B&B is located in a brownstone in the historic Bed-Stuy neighborhood. The quiet and relaxed neighborhood is easily accessible to all five boroughs by car, taxi, bus, or subway. The beautiful historic building is refined just enough in the important areas (bed and bath), yet gives respect to its age and history by not erasing its uniqueness. The setting is a B&B connoisseurs dream, but may be surprising to the sterile traveler accustomed to lonely chain hotels. The opportunity for peaceful solitude is easily possible, but the real experience here is found in its social atmosphere. The Sankofa Aban B&B is your home away from home.

This is a real authentic Bed & Breakfast that I am really glad I came across...Amazingly beautiful rooms; great service and the inkeepers are so hospitable and helpful; you can tell that they genuinly like having people around. I warmly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a place to stay while visiting N.Y/Brooklyn, I think you will love it as much as I did :)