We chose this B&B due to it's location, we wanted something close to NYC but far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle at the end of the day. It was a very short walk to the Ferry terminal and straight onto the subway at the other end. The uphill walk at the end of the day was hard work sometimes, but there are buses that stop outside, but you can walk back in the time it takes for the bus to leave the terminal.

We had the whole of the top floor with 3 rooms and a bathroom. The rooms were very spacious and well equipped, the only downside was the lack of curtains in the large room, just lightweight blinds. Breakfast was served every morning between 7.30 and 8.00, it was nothing fancy, but adequate to get us started in the morning. It would have been nice to have had a bit of variety of bread and fruit during the week, but it was fine. Paul was a very good host, on hand when you needed some advice but he mainly left us to it.

A nice touch was the toiletries that were supplied, soaps, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. There were plenty of towells and bedding, it was quite cold at times during our stay, but the rooms were warm.

We found an amazing restaurant, Pier 76 is on the way back from the ferry terminal and has a fabulous menu at very reasonable prices compared to those in NYC. A busy place with lots of locals, TV's and very friendly service.

Was looking for a reasonably priced place to stay and found this place through Tripadvisor. Was able to get entire floor (2 bedrooms, sitting room and bathroom) to accomodate family of 4. Rooms were comfortable and warm and the location (about a 10 minute walk to Staten Island ferry) was good. Area around the place is not attractive, however, I felt rather safe even when walking home at night. Breakfast was nothing special (bread, butter/jam, coffee/juice and fruit) but it worked. Was a plus that I could park my car in the driveway for free. Also it is not too expensive to park at the ferry if you did not want to walk. About the only con was that the curtains on the windows did not provide a lot of privacy at night.

Myself, my partner and our two grow up kids stayed here the week before Chrismas and it was great!
Paul the owner was very descreet but welcoming.
The B&B itself is a delightful place to stay, very homely and the decor is warm and friendly. The weather when we were there was Freeeezing!!! But the rooms we stayed in ( we had the whole top floor) were very warm and cosy and a welome relief from the cold and the Chrismas madness in Manhatten.
I would not hesitate to recommend this B&B to anyone visiting New York and we will hopefully be staying there again next September.

I stayed in Fort Place from 13th to 20th May 2010 and it was how I imagined it. A short walk to the Ferry and a real haven outside the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

I rang Paul in February and booked over the phone, paying one night to reserve, cost about £47 at that time. The remainder was paid the day before I checked out.

I would recommend to you to take the booked taxi option to the B&B, after getting off an 8 hour red-eye, I was glad to get transport there. I would make sure you have a map and the phone number as many cabbies have never been to the island and didn't know how to get there. I had one such cabbie but I gave him the address and he used his sat nav. Took about 40 minutes from the airport and cost me $60 inc tip and tolls. The quoted price at the airport is handy as you don't have to rely on the metered service and get ripped off. If you are really cheap then you could catch a service bus into Manhattan, head for Battery Park and catch the ferry to Staten instead but I think convenience and swiftness when I arrive. Paul will also phone and book a local cab which will collect you and take you to the airport when you require one. (maybe a different cost if you fly to JFK or LaGuardia as I flew into the closest one EWR)

The B&B itself was great, nice room and adjacent room for breakfast which was promptly delivered by 7:30am each morning. Bagel, choice of tea or coffee and fruit to start the day. For those who wish to eat something hot, I would sometimes eat out as hot breakfasts were abundant and cheap. The ferry terminal has plenty to offer as does Manhattan. I had full privacy during my stay and Paul was around when I needed anything but didn't see him otherwise. The bathroom is directly across the corridor and was always clean and tidy. The decor was very olde-worlde and made the trip even more special, was a very well kept clean and tidy establishment and a real home away from home. I can take or leave modern accomodation and would rather something that looks older and easier on the eye. There was more than adequate clothing space and haad room to keep my laptop open and also use the wireless internet service when needed.

There is a deli that stays open until 10pm every night and a few bars and restaurants in the area, plenty of choice or if like me, you spend every waking moment on Manhattan - I spent more or less 14 hours a day out and about so didn't venture out to eat (this time).

Ferry service is easy (every quarter hour in the morning, half hour in the afternoon and every hour in the night) and its free! After a few times, its good to take a book to read as the ferry does take 20 minutes to reach the Manhattan terminal.To get to it, just leave the guesthouse, walk down the road, turn right and then left and walk down to the town hall. There is a walkway on the left side and the ferry terminal is in front of you - that simple. Once you make Manhattan, there are several subway stops outside and to make the most of the city, I would recommend a $27 unlimited METRO card which buys you travel for the entire week. It suited me fine and was great once you work out the lines and how to navigate them. If in doubt, ask a fellow traveller or look at a map, they will both help you out as I found out.

All in all, I found Fort Place to be the diamond in the rough, the ace in the hole, the good guy out there - last time I came to NYC was for my 30th (nearly 7 years ago) and hotel prices have shot right up. This was both an ideal price and a nice base easy within reach of any of the major attractions.

I have recommended this to a few friends as they were impressed by the price, the photos and what I have told them about the whole experience.

Hope this helps you make a decision.