The coolest Airbnbs in New York City

This authentic loft with one bedroom sleeps two people – and despite what you may have heard about NYC, it’s anything but cramped. With minimalist furnishings and state-of-the-art appliances, it’s an ideal option for someone who values modern conveniences. The location also serves as a great home base for exploring the rest of Lower Manhattan.

This larger than life home in Williamsburg has touches of both the old and new. The area is wild and rural, and while the inside decor maintains an abundance of warming wooden features, the living spaces have been brought in line with contemporary tastes. There’s also a fireplace in the living area, floor-to-ceiling windows and some incredible views over the water. That’s it, we’re staying.

This gorgeous brownstone has the best of both worlds: The exposed brick and original fireplace give it plenty of character, while the newly renovated bathroom and kitchen provide all the convenience of new construction. It’s also conveniently located near several subway lines and a Citi Bike station, so visitors will have an easy time exploring Bed-Stuy’s vintage shops, cocktail bars and music venues.

How often do you get the chance to stay in an landmarked, 10,000-square-foot mansion built in 1887? Snap up a room in this immaculately restored building to get a taste of Clinton Hill. Modern furniture and artworks create a lovely contrast to the intricate crown molding and old-fashioned crystal chandelier. Guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast, but you can shell out an additional $35 a day for a full breakfast. Wait, how do we make this our life every day?

Two spacious bedrooms make this Ridgewood home a prime choice for couples. An unusually large kitchen (by New York City standards, anyway), bright sunroom and backyard will give you plenty of room to spread out. Take the opportunity to explore some of the nabe’s popular hangouts like Topos Bookstore and Nowadays Bar.

Penthouse might be a bit generous for this East Village apartment, but that's not to say it doesn't still have the wow-factor. Yes, it's at the top of the building (get ready for stairs aplenty), but it's still made very much in the NYC mold (read: tiny). However, the pièce de résistance is the private roof terrace at the top of a spiral staircase in the kitchenette. From here you can look out over Manhattan with a glass of vino in hand, taking in the very essence of the city.

Stay in a four-star hotel for half the price. Ideal for a business traveler, this suite is well-decorated and, unlike the rest of the city, pretty quiet due to its location on a high floor. You’ll also get the amenities you’re used to in such a hotel, including a friendly front desk staff, a helpful housekeeping crew and a minibar when you need to unwind.

This desirable little bolthole provides sweeping views of the boroughs, which is impressive in itself, but the windows also look out onto one of Brooklyn's oldest trees (according to the host anyhow). The studio is small (read: cute), but is decorated beautifully and the windows run almost orund the entire room. The parts you can't see out of, can be glimpsed from the sizeable roof terrace, which is accessible directly from the room. There's a separate bathroom, and a fridge, coffee machine, microwave and hairdryer are tucked away in the cupboard.

If you’re willing to spend, this one-bedroom unit will run you $2,000 a night. But the truly unique loft, which has exposed brick walls and a whopping 30 windows, is an incredible (and large) space with 360-degree views of multiple landmarks including the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and East River. A common roof deck is the cherry on top.