New York FAQ
The most popular things our guests ask us about are explained here. Alternatively, we're here 24/7 to answer any questions you have – just give us a call or send an email.
- Cancellation policies
- Cleaning
- Damage
- Extra services
- Guest app for iPhone
- Guest Services team
- Keys
- Lead guest
- Payment
- Travel Advisors
- Home truths
- House rules
- Location
- Smoking
- Stairs and accessibility
- Tamper tape
- Check-in and check-out
- I.D. check and card authorisation
- Meet & greet
- Pre-authorisation
- Travelling into New York
Our service
New York homes
Your arrival to New York
Our service
We offer an unprecedented level of service for stays in the finest homes. If you've never experienced onefinestay before, we recommend you read this to get familiar. And, as you'll hear, we're always available to answer any questions you have.
2. Cleaning
We carefully clean and prepare each home before you arrive and after you depart, and we'll clean weekly during your stay. More frequent Housekeeping services can be arranged on request, subject to availability and a charge (see 4. Extra services).
3. Damage
As part of booking with onefinestay, our guests agree to report any accidents or damage. When you arrive we secure a $1,500 hold on your credit or debit card (see 20. Pre-authorisation), and we do a thorough check of the home after each stay. If we do find damage, we'll get in touch with you.
4. Extra services
We can arrange additional services to make your journey and stay with us in New York exceptional. Find out more here.
5. Guest app for iPhone
To give you access to home information and local recommendations, our guest app is available for download on iOS – we recommend adding this to your iPhone after you've booked. We can also provide you with an iPhone to use during your stay – something international visitors and Android users find very useful. Please let us know if you would like this add-on.
6. Guest Services team
Unlike all those home-booking platforms, we have a local Guest Services team in New York, available by phone or email 24/7 during your stay. Reach us on +1 212-906-9130 or nyc.guests@onefinestay.com
7. Keys
You'll get two sets of keys from your Meet & Greeter, along with instructions on locking up when you go out. Additional sets of keys may be available for a charge, by request.
9. Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express, and bank transfers for stays with at least 7 days' notice. Please note that your Pre-authorisation at arrival will require a credit or debit card.
10. Travel Advisors
Our Travel Advisors know our cities and neighbourhoods back-to-front, and they're available around the clock to help find a home that suits you.
New York homes
Each home listed with onefinestay is unique, and belongs to a onefinestay homeowner – whether they live there most of the year or for just a few weeks.
We've visited each home in person to take accurate photographs, detailed room configurations and home truths, so you can book with the same confidence you have in the best hotel brands. Our Travel Advisors are available 24/7 to help choose a home that suits you.
11. Home truths
Because every onefinestay home is unique, we highlight any 'home truths' on the listing and make sure you're aware of them when you book.
12. House rules
When you arrive you'll be given a copy of the House Rules, requests made by the homeowner, that we ask all guests to abide by when they're in the home.
13. Location
For security reasons, we show only the approximate location of homes on our website. You'll be provided with the full address (along with detailed directions) once your booking has been confirmed.
15. Stairs and accessibility
If you're travelling with young or elderly guests, it's important to make sure any accessibility needs are discussed with your onefinestay Travel Advisor before you book. Most onefinestay homes in New York have at least a few steps, and many have internal stairs without elevators.
16. Tamper tape
When we're readying a home for your stay we seal off some drawers, cupboards and (in some cases) spare rooms, for storing away the homeowners' personal effects. Your Meet & Greeter will point out these places which are sealed with red 'tamper-tape', and we ask that you respect these private areas during your stay. Of course, we make sure there is plenty of storage space available for your things.
Your arrival to New York
Travelling to an address in a city you're not familiar with can be daunting. While onefinestay doesn't have a hotel front desk or a big flashy sign, we have put a lot of thought and care into making your arrival as seamless as possible. And we're always available at +1 212-906-9130 or nyc.guests@onefinestay.com
17. Check-in and check-out
We'll meet you at the home at your convenience any time after 4pm on your arrival date, and our standard check-out time is 11am. Early check-in and late check-out can be arranged in advance with your onefinestay Travel Advisor or our Guest Services team, subject to availability and a charge. At the end of your stay, checking out is simple – you'll have instructions on locking up and safely depositing keys (you don't need to meet anyone from our team) and we'll arrive later in the day to clean and prepare for the homeowner's return.
18. I.D. check and card authorisation
We'll check the lead guest's I.D. and secure a $1,500 hold on a matching credit or debit card which will be released once we confirm no damage was caused during your stay (see 20. Pre-authorisation for more details).
19. Meet & greet
One of our Meet & Greeters will be at the home to welcome you. If you're going to be running late or early, please let us know as soon as you can so that we can reschedule your arrival appointment.
20. Pre-authorisation
When you arrive we secure a $1,500 hold on your credit or debit card. The amount is held by your bank until we confirm that no damage was caused during your stay. We will release the hold within five days after your departure, but it can take your bank longer to process the request from the credit or debit card company. If you do damage anything it's always best to let us know before you leave. And once you depart, if we find any damage, we'll get in touch as soon as possible.
21. Travelling into New York
21.1. Customs and immigration
If you're flying from outside the USA, please be aware that if your flight is international it can take between 1-2 hours to clear customs and immigration. If your flight is domestic, that wait can be up to 60 minutes, depending on the time of day you're travelling.
21.2. Public transport
It's possible to get to Brooklyn and Manhattan from all three major airports via public transportation. The trip takes between an hour and an hour and a half depending on location. It's a cost-effective choice, but not a good option if you have lots of luggage. For more information, check out the MTA trip planner.
21.3. Airport transfers
Of course, you can skip public transport and arrive at the door via our airport transfer service. Find out more here.