European charm with easy distance to Staten Island Ferry, well maintained and well kept

If it weren't for Neil's Victorian Villas in Staten Island, I don't know if we could've afforded the vacation to not only see relatives on Long Island but sightsee in Manhattan. Hotels can be outrageously priced. In fact, we weren't going to go because of the expensiveness of the hotels in the city. Then, my husband Eddie discovered Victorian Villas. We found the apartment like a home away from home, filled with every accommodation we could hope for from a coffeemaker, air conditioning and clean bathroom, to a fully stocked pantry, more than enough places to sleep (and it was just me, my husband and our son, 7) and a miniature oven to reheat those cheese pizzas. Neil and Linda's hospitality was also a welcome surprise. We recommended this place to a few friends and would go back again.

We stayed for a week in the same room as sampchicago. He/she must have thought they rented a Villa for $800/day. There was work going on all around the house and tools in sight when we were there. I found it all very interesting. It was a lot less intrusive than the fancy hotels I've stayed in recently for conventions where whole floors were being renovated and elevator service was spotty at best. It's a clean roomy space that more than satisfied our needs. The treetop level of this room made us feel like Swiss Family Robinson. If I was staying a month I might prefer a room with a real stove but the one burner was fine for boiling water or frying an egg. The easy walk to the Ferry gives you a chance to enjoy the neighborhood and get the legs ready for Manhatten. The 25 min FREE ferry ride is a good time for a cat nap or to study your maps and finish planning your day in THE CITY. The price is great and makes me dream of a month long stay some time in the future. Don't miss neighborhood restaurants for great ethnic foods and low prices.

I was moved to write this review while still in the middle of a month-long stay at the Victorian Villa. I will likely update this space with further glowing remarks, or make a separate entry, on the sad occasion of my stay's end. The internet recommended the Victorian Villa to me as a place to stay while looking for a permanent home in it's lovely St. George neighborhood of Staten Island. I visited the property and was immediately charmed by the owner who kindly insisted on collecting me from the ferry terminal in a luxurious imported convertible sports car. I was shown three apartments to choose from and moved without a moment's hesitation into the garden loft, which I have come to call "my treehouse." This spacious studio with private entrance, separate sleeping and sitting areas, fully equipped kitchenette, spotless (the whole place was impeccably clean, btw) white tile full bath, and working fireplace felt immediately like home from the moment I put my bags down. I was completely spoiled by the private tiled terrace (while sitting on which, one is surrounded by treetops and birdsong, and overlooking the beautifully kept shared garden area of the Villa) furnished comfortably with outdoor dining and sitting areas and a clean and easy-to-use gas grill. The quality and tastefulness of all of the furnishings, linens, accessories, and appliances throughout the apartment are really remarkable. The owner, manager, caretaker, and even the other guests, of the Villa felt practically like family within a day, and collectively manage to strike the perfect balance between chummy inclusion and respectful privacy. I have never felt lonely when I've fancied a chat, and I've never been bothered when I would have preferred solitude.
I work in Lower Manhattan and the short walk from the Villa to the free ferry is a pleasure. One 20-minute boatride later, I am in the Financial District, three blocks from my office. A tourist debarking this same ferry would find himself in one of Manhattan's most historic neighborhoods and poised to take on the whole city with countless public and private transportation options right there.
I heartily recommend the Victorian Villa to anyone at all with any New York City lodging needs whatsoever.