Has anyone ever rented out someone's apartment while visiting NYC?

My husband and I are visiting for 4 nights in November, and don't want to flush $$ down the tubes at a cramped hotel. We figure, for half the cost, we can stay in a cozy, comfortable, clean apartment that someone is renting out.

Is this a bad idea? Specifically, we're looking to stay at a place on E. 93rd St., between 5th and Madison Ave. (UES?)

Thank you for your input!

That's a great location.

If you don't mind 81st St on the UWS, check out jacksbandb.com
We've stayed there and loved it!

Yes, I've done it, but never for less than a week. I have yet to see any really nice apartments in NYC that rent for a good price for just a couple of nights, but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

How did you find this apartment, through an agency or a website?

We stayed for a week in a studio at Worldwide Plaza and loved it. We rented from the owner through an agency.

As a result we almost never stay in hotels if we are going to be in a city for more than 4 days.

However, you need to be aware that pictures on websites can be deceiving.

we found that listing on craigslist. it sounds like a beautiful area.

jtrandolph, mind telling us how to find that studio? We're looking at Big Apple Getaways (also on VRBO) at a one bedroom in Worldwide Plaza for 9 nights in May. But it is a one bedroom. Tell us about this studio. I LOVE that location.

We took an apartment for a week last March and loved it, though it was closer to midtown. It was not posh, but it was (we though) better than a hotel.

Patrick,

We got the studio at Worldwide Plaza through an agency. It was several years ago and I can't remember whether it was City Lights Bed and Breakfast or New World Bed and Breakfast. Yes, the location is great and the apt was as well.

Is it still available? November is peak season for Manhattan and I tried to find a four nighter Marathon Weekend and was SOL.

You'd think that it would only be busy at Thanksgiving; NOT.

I am going to NYC for 4 days in October and had booked On the Ave (my favorite moderate hotel) but just checked out the Stay the Night place on 93rd and Fifth and made a reservation there instead, for about $75 less a night. It has mostly favorable comments on Tripadvisor, FWIW. Here's keeping my fingers crossed it's ok! If anyone reading this has stayed there, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Yes! We've booked a room through
www.staythenight.com. $165 (more than we'd hoped to spend, but hey, it's NYC... you can't ever get much cheaper than that, right??). Anyways, it seems like a cozy apartment suite and has a jacuzzi bathtub!

;-)