Haunted House in Williamsburg

Location: 426 South 5th Street, Brooklyn, us

Star Rating: 8.3 Stars

Property Type: Homestays

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Family rooms
• BBQ facilities
• Express check-in/check-out
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Shared kitchen
• Outdoor furniture
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV outside property
• Television in common areas
• Express check-in
• Free wired internet
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Private picnics
• Japanese garden

Rooms Available

• Family Room With Shared Bathroom

  The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

• Budget Double Or Twin Room

  The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

• Double Room With Garden View

  The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

• Standard Double Room

  Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-fitted kitchen. The double room also offers a barbecue. This air-conditioned double room features a desk, an outdoor dining area, garden views and a shared bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Triple Room With Garden View

  Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchen. The triple room also comes with a barbecue. This air-conditioned triple room has a desk, an outdoor dining area, garden views and a shared bathroom. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Standard Twin Room

  The twin room features air conditioning, a washing machine, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the fully equipped kitchen. The twin room also comes with a barbecue. The twin room offers a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a patio and an outdoor dining area. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Family Room

  Offering free toiletries, this family room includes a shared bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchen. The family room also features a barbecue. This family room is air-conditioned and has a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Standard Twin Room With Garden View

  Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-fitted kitchen. The twin room also has a barbecue. This air-conditioned twin room features a desk, an outdoor dining area, garden views and a shared bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

• Standard Twin Room With Garden View

  Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-fitted kitchen. The twin room also features a barbecue. This air-conditioned twin room has a desk, an outdoor dining area, garden views and a shared bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed

Guest Reviews

• Anonymous (9/5): Superb -
• Maximilian (1/5): Absolute catfish - Immediately after arriving we were shocked at how run down the place was – the pictures on booking.com must have been taken years ago and are extremely misleading. Some devices were clearly torn off the walls and ceiling, and the entrance looked like it had been broken into before and the lock simply covered with duct tape. There was also visible water damage and stains in the kitchen area. On the listing, a garden access is also shown which was not available to us (basically all doors except for the bathroom are locked, and you only get the code for one room). The neighbourhood is also quite rough, and also very noisy – there was a party going on in the street outside the window (which couldn't be closed because of the mounted AC unit). We agreed to pay the first night and refund the rest via WhatsApp (retrospectively huge red flag!) with Magic, but the customer service requests for this were repeatedly denied by the property manager (not Magic).
• Christopher (3/5): WARNING: Unsafe Environment Despite Convenient Location, questionable reviews, and Amenities. - I booked this property due to its mostly positive reviews, convenient location near public transit — just minutes from the subway and bus lines — and close proximity to the heart of Williamsburg. The surrounding area is vibrant and walkable, with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, McCarren Park, and the track within easy reach. The property itself offered a few decent amenities: I was granted access to laundry facilities, kitchen, clean towels and linens, and a small but pleasant outdoor patio (though rarely used). The shared common areas included a television room and a modest in-house library. I appreciated being able to borrow an umbrella and browse some of Magic’s personal books, which he kindly offered. The room was basic but clean, with a functioning bed, pillow, and sink. I write this review not out of spite, but to ensure that future guests, especially solo and female travelers, are aware of the risks. Book this property at your own risk. What you read online may not reflect the full reality. If you are a solo traveler — particularly a woman — I urge you to exercise extreme caution. This listing is operating in a very gray, possibly illegal area, and the hosts' behavior is highly concerning. I sincerely hope this helps others make an informed decision. My experience was marred by serious safety and security concerns that overshadowed any positives. From what I gathered during my stay, talking with the other guests, tenants, and police, the property is in foreclosure, and many of the people living there are squatters. Two individuals, David and Magic, appear to have taken control of the listing, impersonating one of their roommates, and are renting out over 10 rooms on Booking & AirBNB, reportedly after kicking the other roommates out. During my stay, I encountered: -Frequent police visits (>4 police visits). -Fights between the tenants of the place. -Harassment and unsettling behavior from various individuals around the property -Loud, unexplained noises at night and generally strange occurrences (see photos below). -Sketchy and unpredictable guests -A broken door lock in my original room (which turned out to belong to a long-term tenant), prompting a room change -Inconsistent, bizarre, and conflicting explanations from David and Magic. -Gasoline in the hallway. -Overpriced to the experience and value received. -Constantly changing the name-address & photos of the listing. Though I was able to switch rooms and the situation calmed slightly, things soon escalated again. I ultimately chose to vacate a day early and found another legitimate and secure place to stay. The most disturbing aspect was Magic & David's behavior. While initially friendly, they became increasingly erratic and invasive — suddenly appearing on streets I was walking, frequenting the same shops or blocks. I witnessed him following another guest into a nearby convenience store, with which he and David apparently had past issues. This repeated pattern of being watched or followed made me feel unsafe and anxious, and I began to worry about my physical safety and personal belongings.
• Christopher (2/5): DO NOT STAY HERE! - The only thing I liked was the location. In the future I will write a novel about my experience but for now it will be a short story. On my first day as I arrived to Sketchy Homestay I was met with cops outside the building. After entering the courtyard I was met with a tenant that stayed in the adjacent living area informing me this place is running an illegal airbnb/booking.com business. As I tried to get into the building I felt an immense amount of dread and the feeling of being overwhelmed with this being my first experience of arriving. As the day progressed the situation calmed down and I felt more at ease to go outside the building. When I did I was met with the same tenant that gave me the first warning and another guy that is the property manager since David & Magic are tenants. They informed me that David & Magic were running an illegal business out of the complex. That the place was in foreclosure/in probate. Which means anyone living there is basically a squatter. I get a phone call from David to meet and he tells me what’s going on but my intuition told me he was telling me complete BS. After our conversation I went back to my room to chill out for a bit. Later that night I went back outside and the cops were there again. This time I was talking with the cops and they confirmed the place was in foreclosure and the people staying are squatters. In the state of New York especially in the cities they have rights to stay in these types of places. It’s an ongoing issue with these types of situations and the courts being behind/delayed with similar cases they can get away with it. As my time went on things got more and more weird. David was on edge and Magic was acting obvious and dismissal of the issues with the tenants and the police. The names kept changing as to who was in charge of the business and the stories kept changing of what was actually going on. I’ve traveled all over the world, I’ve been to 30 countries some being 2nd and 3rd world.
• Anonymous (3/5): I had very scarcely experience there. -
• Anonymous (4/5): Disappointing - Very easy and proactive communication with the owner/manager. They offer a free ride from the airport. Excellent. The bathroom is shared for multiple rooms and it’s not a big bathroom, nor an impeccably clean one. Also, there is a constant noise for the underground in proximity.
• Brickner (9/5): Superb -
• Mikolaj (10/5): Highly recommended :) - Great owners, very helpful and friendly. The apartments are well located, few minutes walking distance from a metro station with lots of nice restaurants and pubs nearby. Great value for money compared to other NYC spots.
• Michael (9/5): Cozy room in a great location a block away from a subway station. - Proximity to public transportation, the courtyard, the host Magic, plenty of wall outlets and lights in the room. Bathroom could use some TLC. Mold on shower ceiling, fan needs to be cleaned out. Window AC unit needs to be cleaned out or replaced.
• Ece (10/5): Cosy & Comfy - The property had everything that you might need during your stay. The bed was comfortable, good running shower. Our host Magic was great and very helpful we are very thankful to him. We felt comfortable from day 1. The location is amazing and it’s great value for money. We definitely recommend this stay. Nothing negative. Was clean enough for a shared home stay.
• Kumpulainen (10/5): Exceptional -
• Rachel (10/5): Exceptional - good mirror in room, communicative hosts
• Yurim (10/5): Exceptional - This was an amazing experience, I loved the house, neighborhood, and the host. If I revisit new york, I would definitely go there again.
• Jolien (9/5): Great experience and in line with my expectation based on other reviews - - Magic is a great host + great communication - The room I had was small, but very functional - The location is great (15 minutes walk to heart of Williamsburg, easy to get there with public transport from JFK, easy connection to Manhattan) - felt safe in the accommodation and neighborhood - There is noise from the street. It was no issue for me at all, as I came prepared with good ear plugs. - Kitchen could be a bit cleaner
• Patricia (9/5): Superb -
• Marit (9/5): Superb - Had an absolutely great stay here, the bed was very comfy and the place in general nice and quiet. Also super close to the subway for easy travelling to Manhatten! Overall the place was very clean only thing that felt a little unclean was the shower curtain
• Julien (10/5): it's a i'll be back sejour - Magic is cool, and we appreciated our trip there. The emplacement is unbeatable for that price!
• Vanishree (9/5): Excellent value for the price! Both Danny and Magic were very friendly and accomodating! - Good location with easy subway connections to Manhattan. Ideal for solo travellers or a small group.
• Anish (9/5): Magical thanks to the host. - I really appreciate how clean and tidy the property was kept. The host was incredibly friendly and made sure we were comfortable. There are also amenities like hair dryers and towels provided which was greatly appreciated. Good location and easily accessible by the train. Nothing much to be honest
• Andrew (10/5): Good value stay, amazing location - As long as your expectations for a shared property for this price point are reasonable, this was a very comfortable and accomodating stay. The location of this place is really really good. It's a literal 1 minute walk to the J/M line into Manhattan, 5 mins from the G line, and 10 mins from the L line. It's also a 5-20 minute walk to some of the terrific restaurants that Williamsburg is known for. Not the most elegant room, but expected for the price point
• Tuzizhang99 (7/5): It offers a good price for staying, but guests need to be aware of the noise of the tram. - The cleanliness just meets the basic standard so low your expectations.
• Александр (10/5): Highly recommend the Friendly Homestay - well-equipped apartment and perfect location - highly recomend the Friendly Homestay in Williamsburg - perfect location, and everything you need in the apartments
• Tim (10/5): Magic is a great host and keeps a clean property. - Situated in a beautiful neighborhood with great access to transportation. The property is clean and close to fun establishments in the area. Nothing
• Tim (10/5): Magic is a great host and keeps a clean property. - We had an event we were attending in Williamsburg and this property was perfectly situated so we could get a real feel of Brooklyn. Nothing here to dislike!
• Frédéric (9/5): A good spot in Brooklyn - I stayed for one night and Magic kindly offered to upgrade me. The location is very convenient (the subway station is very close) and I had a very good sleep. I would recommend.
• Richard (10/5): Exceptional - The location was perfect and close to the subway, Magic, the host, was very helpful as well. Would recommend
• Sadie (10/5): A fantastic location for a very reasonable price! - We stayed here the 2nd weekend of December, so NYC was as busy as it could get-- and hotel prices were so high. This property was not only very reasonably priced, but also in a very convenient location. Less than a block walk away from a subway station that could get us directly into Manhattan. It was also right next door to a bodega. And around the corner from this super cool coffee bar turned jazz bar!! The house was also very comfortable, safe, and clean. We had our own keypad lock on our bedroom door, since this is hostel-style housing with a shared bathroom and common area. The shared bathroom was small, but always clean. The host texted me before our stay, so I was able to keep in touch with her throughout our trip as needed. Check in and check out processes were easy. We had a wonderful trip and this property was a huge part of that. The only thing I wish this property had was a water filter on the sink or in the fridge. We couldn't really tell if the water from the tap was drinkable, so we had to go to the bodega next door a couple times to purchase bottled water.
• Niharika (10/5): Exceptional -
• Adam (7/5): Convenient Launch Point for Brookyln - This place is really all about the location. You are in walking distance of the main bars in Williamsburg and have a metro line less than two minutes from the place. Otherwise, it's a quiet building and there are laundry machines in the property as well. Being so close to an above-ground Metro station comes with the downside of hearing it rattle past at all hours of the night. It isn't super noisy but bringing earplugs is a good idea if you're a light sleeper. My room (#9) also did not have many power outlets and they weren't in the most convenient locations either. Other rooms may be better as it is clear the building has been designed to get as many rooms into the space as possible. But bring long charging cords if you want to use your laptop, etc on your bed while plugged in.
• Katherine (8/5): Comfortable place to stay for a short break. - Attentive host, the room was comfortable and as described.
• Leon (1/5): Bad - Nothing Everything. Room was not exceptable
• Hylia (10/5): Exceptional - Magic is very discreet but answering very quickly at any questions, very mindful and comprehensive! The subway is not even 5min away from the location which is very useful! A bit noisy at night since the subway and traffic are not far but honestly it's ok
• Mccartney (10/5): Exceptional - Nice, cozy room. I liked the security of the keypads for the private room.
• Maynez (10/5): My stay was VeryComfortable & the staff was Accommodating! - The location was within walking distance to my daughter’s residence & it was economical for me. They were able to accommodate my request for a 1st floor room due to my Arthritis. There was a smell in the foyer, but not in my room.
• Marko (10/5): Exceptional - Absolutely amazing place at amazing location (just 1metro station away from Manhattan) with host that is just a class act that goes above and beyond any request thay you may have.
• Dylan (6/5): Decent option in interesting neighborhood, but would not stay again - Decent place, Magic - the manager - is very nice. Comfy beds. Location is interesting Expensive for what you get, place needs some reno and could use some love (the window unit ac is sealed with duct tape) and Magic tried to recruit me for his MLM scheme, which I definitely didn't appreciate as a paying customer.
• Carley (10/5): Loved it - easily the most enjoyable and stress-free stay you could imagine! - Excellent spot and host! Great location, clean and safe accommodations, with a very hospitable and responsive host. Small corner store adjacent and multiple shops and restaurants very nearby. Really appreciate that things were just really simple and easy. They give you a warm welcome but also give you lots of space and privacy. We didn't have any special requests, but I got the sense that if we needed anything like extra towels, supplies, or any kind of change, that they would've been very accommodating. One of the aspects I liked the most was all of the things that they didn't have. There weren't tons of confusing rules, there weren't any tricks or misleading info, no hidden fees, and none of the "gotchas" like a lot of places on these sorts of sites. Opportunity for a bit of socialization in the shared space if you want it, but no one will bother you if you don't. Nice kitchen with whatever you need, dining space, and a little garden / backyard. Bathrooms were always clean and well stocked and I never had to wait. Ratio of guests to bathrooms was good, and no problem showering and getting ready in terms of competition. Easy to come and go as you please. Other guests were considerate and host seems to attract and encourage considerate behavior. That said, it was relaxed and you definitely don't feel like you need to tiptoe around. Walls and acoustics were fine in terms of noise insulation - we were never bothered by the other guests. Beds in the family room were comfortable. Temperature wasn't too hot or cold. It was perfect from our point of view. It's one of those rare places that I could see working for pretty much anyone: a family, young single people, or a business traveler. We loved staying there and would absolutely love to stay there again. Thank you so much! Perfect, nothing we didn't like!
• Lisa (9/5): Great location, good price - a little spartan but what you'd expect for that price. I'd stay again! -
• Lood (9/5): Great location, comfortable, would stay again - Williamsburg is a great area and well-connected to Manhattan. Dan and Magic were very thoughtful and helpful hosts.
• Aliza (10/5): Excellent value stay in a well located & cool part of Brooklyn - Excellent price for an ideal location, was within walking distance of the train which made getting to the places we needed to be very convenient. Room was small (its NYC..) but never felt cramped and the bed was comfy for two people. We got a greet price considering it was the weekend of the world series and this time New York was the host, the yearly Marathon, and it was Halloween weekend also ! The shared bathroom was very clean and we never had to wait to use it. The stairs up to 2nd floor. No elevator
• Daniel (9/5): Superb - Excellent value stay in a well located & cool part of Brooklyn This guest house is very well located in a cool part of South Williamsburg. The 10 minute Train ride, and the deli, food/bars are just around the corner, everything is an easy walk, bike or train ride away. There is a chill garden space to relax, which is great to have in this city and the place is quiet at night in order to get a good night rest. The guys running the place are very friendly & hospitable. They were kind enough to arrange an extended stay at short notice. I think it was very good value stay for NYC, Will definitely come again . Is something wrong thanks! 🙂 -That my NYC trip had to come to an end 🙁..? Hey Joe, got to go look at him. I'm short of it

Photos