Meet Helen
Outgoing, Helpful, Friendly
I want my guests to love NYC & will spend a lot of time helping them to plan their sightseeing plus finding activities that suit them.
On a typical day...
I’m mostly at home/work from home.
When I host guests...
I’m helpful and hands on. I can show them where to go and help them get there.
Family Hobbies
Swimming, Cooking, Reading, Watching movies, Travel
Hosting guests since
2016
About the Homestay
- Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
Located in the East Village known for its trendy restaurants, vintage shopping & nightlife. The room has a queen bed with an 4 inch memory foam topper, an attached bathroom(shared) & 5G Wifi. The 2nd Ave F-Line Subway is just a 1.5 short blocks away. All races, religions & LGBTQ are welcome!
If you would prefer minimal interaction, just let me know. I am home a lot but I am very good at just "being" in my own personal space.
AMENITIES:
- Queen Mattress with 4 inch Memory Foam Topper
- Ensuite Bathroom
- High Speed 5G 100mbps WiFi Internet
- Storage - Closet & a dresser
- Hair-Dryer, Shampoo, Conditioner & Soap
- Full Length Mirror
- Umbrellas
- Iron
-Temperature Control over Heat & New Ultra-Quiet Air Conditioner
BEDROOM: The room is on the small side but normal for the East Village. The door to the bedroom is a custom-made floor to ceiling sliding barn door without a lock. The bedroom has a comfortable queen pillow-top mattress bed with 4 pillows. There is a wall heater and a brand new Midea U-Inverter Window Air Conditioner known for being the quietest model available, both which which you control the temperature.
BATHROOM - The bathroom is attached to the bedroom and I will need to go through the bedroom to access it in order to clean it daily & occasionally shower while you are out. I always ask your permission first.
I provide a hair dryer for my guests to use, as well as shampoo, conditioner and soap. I also provide washcloths, a hand towel and bath towel for each guest. I do not provide any personal hygiene items such as: toothbrushes, deodorant or hair brushes.
SLEEPING ALL DAY: If staying out all night and sleeping to mid-afternoon EVERY day is your ideal schedule, great for you but we may not be a good match as my apartment is small and I cannot guarantee "silence" after 8 or 9am. I say this because I want my guests to have a great trip and I recognize I may not be the best fit for all.
KITCHEN: If you need access to the kitchen, of course you can use it. I do ask meals & anything more that is loud please be done between 8am-11PM as it is right next to where I sleep.
LIVING ROOM: It just won't be available after 9pm as it is essential my "bedroom" at that point.
CHECK-IN: The check-in window is anytime between 4 PM and 9 PM, but it is rarely an issue if you need to check-in later so just let me know when booking. I ask all guests for an expected arrival time before your stay so I can plan my day accordingly. Check-out is by 10AM.
BUILDING/STAIRS: The building is a walk-up which means no elevator. You will need to be able to carry your luggage up 2 flights of stairs.
PAYMENT: I can receive payment via Zelle, Venmow or CashAPP , or Credit Card using Stripe. A 50% deposit is required on booking, with the balance paid 2 weeks before the stay begins.
CANCELLATIONS: I offer a full refund for any cancellations made prior to 30 days of check-in. There is a 50% cancellation if made between 30-15 days of check-in. No refund for cancellations made within 2 weeks of check-in.
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
The East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods never fails to keep the excitement going long after other neighborhoods hit the pillow. Join the foodies, dive bar enthusiasts, and vintage-hunters heading to the east side of Manhattan.
THE NEIGHBORS
An eclectic mix of NYC newcomers and long-time residents. This is an racially and economically mixed area. The african-american finance guy shares is morning with a puertorican feminist artist at the hip spot that is owned by a jewish lesbian couple.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A lively neighborhood with an adventurous spirit that defines downtown living. Bargain shopping is still possible here with our many vintage and consignment stores. There is also a plethora of innovative designers with shops in the area. Young chefs are providing innovative foodie experiences and the cocktail is an art form next to traditional old school ethnic food and dive bars with attitude. Small quiet community parks still abound.
THE LIFESTYLE
Quiet during the day and busy at night due to the popular culinary and bar scene. Want to people watch, just pick your cafe or coffee spot.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
A quiet, residential area free of street traffic or noise from nightlife outside their doorstep. No big box stores or chain restaurants. Instead this is a small business shopping haven unlike most of Manhattan neighborhoods which can be filled with Gaps and Old Navy.
YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The creative, gritty, and independent energy of one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Manhattan that nurtures literature, art and music innovators. Small business owners eager to please and the "You do You" spirit from the residents.
Local Area Facilities
- Tennis
- Park
- Gym
- Golf
- Swimming
- Bowling
- Beach
- Cinema
- Library
- Museum
- Shopping Centre
- Amusement Park
- Horse Stables
- Water sports
- Sports arena
- Health club
- Fishing
- Restaurant
- Airport
- Bus Stop
- Train station
- Hospital
Meals
Hosts can offer a complimentary light breakfast at their discretion. All other meals, including a full breakfast, might incur an additional cost, if offered. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Complimentary Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
House Rules
I have been hosting guests for awhile through other sites, and all of my rules come out of an experience with a guests. I am much more relaxed than these rules suggest but I find having rules or boundaries makes for a better visit for my guests and myself.
HELEN’S HOUSE RULES:
1. CHILDREN - Children are welcome to stay but I have a few rules for the parents.
A - If you have a minor child with you, they can never be left alone in my apartment at any time without an adult, no exceptions.
B - You cannot leave the apartment with out taking your child with you and not tell me. I had a guest go out while I was busy cooking. I did not realize until 25 minutes later I was alone with his 9 year old son. Not acceptable. If you want me to babysit, you need to ask me. I will probably say yes 99% of the time. If I am babysitting while you run a quick errand, I will not charge. If you need me to babysit for more than an hour or so, we will discuss a fee.
C. You are the parent and are responsible for all discipline. Having said that, please refrain from any corporeal punishment while in home.
2. NOISE - Please be respectful of my neighbors and me, by keeping the noise volume low. All sound in the hallways echo much louder than intended, so be kind to my neighbors by entering and leaving the building quietly.
3. NO SMOKING - Sorry, no exceptions, as I hate the smell. If you are caught smoking in the apartment, you will pay for the additional cost of a deep cleaning $200 and the cost of steaming of the carpets and furniture, $340.
4. NO DRUGS - I have a strict no illegal drugs policy. Violation will be grounds to be asked to leave immediately. I do have prescription medication in my personal possession and is for my use only. If I find that you took some or if any of it is missing, you will be asked to leave immediately
5. HEATING & A/C- I kindly ask you turn off and/or down the air conditioner or heating in your room when you leave the apartment. (Have you heard, NYC is very expensive!)
6. CLEANING - I clean the bedroom & bathroom every other day. I will dust, sweep and mop the floors. I do not make the bed or pick up your personal items so I will just clean around them. It is your space so you can be as neat or messy as you like in the bedroom but as we share the bathroom, please try to keep it orderly. I have a whole shelf available for your use in the bathroom. I do ask you keep a path clear in the bedroom, so I can access the bathroom without stepping on your belongings.
7. TOWELS & SHEETS- I provide clean towels and linens for all my guests. If a guest stays more than a 5-6 days, I will give you a new set of towels automatically. If you want a clean set of sheets after 7 days, you will need to ask otherwise I will assume they are fine. I do ask that all guests remove any make-up, tanning products and club "hand stamps" before using the towels & sheets. These product do stain and cause permanent damage so please be kind and use the make-up removal products I provide. Repeat offenders will be ask to pay the cost of replacement.
8. COOKING/KITCHEN USE - Guests are welcome to use the kitchen for "light" cooking for dinner before 9PM. "Light cooking" means using the microwave to heat up a dish, making pasta or other quick and easy stove-top meals.
A. Please do not to leave dirty dishes or open food in your room as it could attract rodents. I will happily give you space in the refrigerator and the cabinet if needed.
B. You must provide all ingredients for the meals you cook and not "shop" in my refrigerator or cabinets. You are welcome to use my salt, pepper, herbs and spices as well as oil and other staples if needed, so please ask.
E. You must wash your dishes and clean the kitchen up after eating any meal you cook yourself, ideally after the meal is completed.
9. BROKEN ITEMS - I understand that accidents happen, so please let me know if something breaks, stains or rips immediately. Chances are I can fix it quick & easily which also means better chance of having your full security deposit returned.
10. VISITORS - I understand that for a whole variety of reasons, you may want to invite a visitor into the apartment. There are no overnight guests allowed. I try my best to be reasonable in other situations, but you must have my permission first before anyone is allowed inside.
11. SHIPPING - No packages can be shipped to my apartment without my permission. If you want to shop online and have it sent to me, please contact me to discuss.
12. COLOGNE & PERFUME - Unfortunately I am very sensitive to odors and the perfume can give me a migraine if too strong. Please do not spray perfume of cologne inside my apartment. I truly appreciate your cooperation.
13. BEHAVIOR- If I decide your behavior is disruptive, destructive or harmful in anyway you will be asked to leave immediately with no refund. I am the only opinion in this decision that matters,
THESE RULES ARE NOT MEANT TO INHIBIT YOUR FUN DURING YOUR STAY BUT PROTECT BOTH YOU AND MYSELF FROM POTENTIAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS. Most of the rules are based on situations I have encountered with a prior guest. I promise I am much more relaxed than the above makes me sound. I truly appreciate your cooperation in following the rules.
Smoking Rules
Your host is a non-smoker.
Smoking is not allowed.
How do I book?
Contact the host to check their availability and ask them any questions you have about staying with them. Once the host confirms they’re available for your dates, you can complete your booking.
When do I pay?
Once a host confirms they're available, you can go ahead and pay the 15% booking fee (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings) and a 25% deposit using a choice of payments: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal. The deposit is collected in advance on behalf of the host to protect against no show or late cancellations (within 7 days of arrival). You then pay your host the balance due on arrival. The 25% deposit payment is made to the host 2 business days after your scheduled arrival date. This deposit payment will only be refunded if you cancel the booking at least 7 full days prior to arrival.
When can I share my contact details?
Host and Guest email address, phone number and home address will be exchanged in a confirmation email sent to both immediately after a booking is completed. It's against our policy for Guests and Hosts to exchange direct contact details via our messaging system.