East Village Apartments by Sudha

These spacious units attract families and groups -- like bachelorette parties or friend getaways -- for people who prefer the comforts of home versus the amenities of a typical hotel. The building is owned by a local NYC couple, but the manager, Sarah, is usually the one to greet guests and hand over apartment keys. There is not a manager office on-site, so both parties need to arrange in advance arrival time for check-in. East Village Apartments uses the phrase "mature guests" online and only wants to welcome non-partiers, hence the quiet hours between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. (partiers can take advantage of the bar scene in the neighborhood but should not expect to party on-site). Guests are also not allowed to have outside visitors, and if found out, there will be a hefty fee for every extra person. Due to this, and the fact that there are only four units, the brownstone stays quiet for most of the time and it is rare to run into neighbors -- especially since the duplex has its own entrance.

The brownstone is situated on a quiet section of 3rd street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery. Though technically considered the East Village (already a great place for restaurants and bars), this location is near the border with the Lower East side, a trendy, happening area of Lower Manhattan. The area is home to plenty of hip restaurants, bars and shops, as well as a Whole Foods Market, handy for stocking the well-equipped kitchens. If guests are missing a hotel atmosphere, the Bowery Hotel is around the corner and is a great place to have drinks before or after dinner. The area still has some edge and grit -- there's a homeless shelter nearby, for example -- but due to the active foot traffic, it feels safe even late at night.From here, guests will find themselves within easy walking distance to NYU, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Nolita, West Village and Union Square. As far as subway stations, the Astor Place 6 train, 2nd Avenue F train as well as the Broadway-Lafayette B, D, F and M lines are closest to the property. It's just under a 20-minute walk to the 14th Street Union Square stop with seven lines to get around Manhattan and the boroughs.

Four unique layouts -- two of them duplexes -- sleep between four and eight people. The cost per night is based on the number of people in the reservation, and children (even babies) contribute to the headcount. Kitchens are fully equipped with cooking essentials including coffeemakers, tea kettles, microwaves, toaster ovens, and enough flatware and cutlery for as many people as the unit will sleep. Every apartment come with a vacuum, dishwasher, and washer/dryer -- which will come in handy considering there is no daily housekeeping. Rooms have triple-glazed windows and insulation to keep out extra noise. Decor may incorporate bright colorful tapestries with Asian influences, traditional pieces like Persian rugs, and pieces of contemporary art that feel bright and cheerful. Every unit has hardwood floors and a laptop for using free Wi-Fi.The lower level of the brownstone is called the Garden Duplex Apartment and it has its own entrance underneath the main door. There is a full bathroom and two rooms for sleeping on both floors (eight people), separated by a spiral staircase. The bottom floor has interesting architectural additions like reading nooks with ladders that lead to windows for backyard access. The kitchen on the upper level has a door that leads to the garden -- private for this unit only -- with a charming dining area in a peaceful setting.The Terrace (sleeps four people) has one master bedroom with a queen bed as well as a sofa bed in the living room. There is a small terrace with a table and chairs for al fresco dining.The Sol (sleeps five people) is a two-bedroom apartment with a queen bed in the master bedroom overlooking 3rd Street. The second bedroom has a double bed, and is partially blocked from the living room, which has a sofa bed. This is the only unit that does not have an outdoor space.The Penthouse (sleeps seven people) is a duplex taking up the top two floors. On the first level are three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. A set of stairs leads to the kitchen and the living and dining area, which receives great natural light. Next to the indoor dining table is a door that leads to a jaw-dropping outdoor patio with a sofa and dining table overlooking greenery and the back of the Bowery Hotel.

East Village Apartments consists of four units and zero communal areas, besides the stoop, front door, and hallways shared by three out of four units (the Garden Duplex has its own entrance). The House Guidelines is a lengthy document listing the rules for staying here, such as no outside visitors, and quiet hours from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.Check-out time is 10 a.m. and there is no luggage storage. If guests have a late flight, they can use the recommended cab driver who will store the luggage until later that afternoon (assuming you use this same driver for delivery to the airport).Garbage and recycling are picked up by staff on specific days of the week (usually Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays), and guests are expected to clean up after themselves. There is no daily housekeeping.