CitySonnet - New York Accommodation

After 29 amazing years, CitySonnet has closed its doors.

Dear CitySonnet Friends,

t is bittersweet to say goodbye; we are sad and nostalgic to close this chapter, but exhilarated about our new life of making our art and traveling

CitySonnet was always much more than a business to us. As Fulbright scholars and avid travelers ourselves, welcoming people to New York City was a natural extension of our belief that travel expands mutual understanding, curiosity, and respect across borders. We are proud to have welcomed guests from nearly 50 countries and all across the United States. Most importantly, so many of you became longtime friends.

We realize this is a long page but don't skip the tips on where to stay in New York City going forward and for the Guest memories at the bottom!

THE EARLY YEARS:

CitySonnet began in Greenwich Village in 1995, fueled by the energy of New York, a love of travel, and a passion for introducing guests to the real New York. We were pioneers among New York City’s early B&B accommodation agencies, long before the internet, and years before Airbnb ruined the landscape.

Early guests stayed in apartment B&Bs with hosts as diverse as our city: a photographer in Harlem, an East Village jazz historian, a Haitian art collecting couple in Greenwich Village, a former Colombian diplomat on the Upper East Side, and many others. Pauline Frommer visited many of our accommodations. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, and Condé Nast Traveler praised and listed our agency. CitySonnet was positively reviewed in major publications such as The Sunday Times London, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Scotland on Sunday, and Corriere della Sera.Dear

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS YEARS. In 2010, CitySonnet evolved, moving exclusively to unhosted Artist Loft accommodations in our renovated building in Long Island City, a vibrant Queens neighborhood just 10 minutes from Grand Central that we all came to love!

ENDURING GUEST MEMORIES The true pleasure of our business was always our guests: amazing, quirky, fascinating people from everywhere! Apologies if we missed citing you here; this email would go on forever if we recounted every fabulous guest, every great story.
One very early guest had escaped East Germany as a teenager using forged diplomatic papers. He taught us, simply by sharing his story, how fragile freedom can be.
We were proud to have supported many UN guests doing valuable humanitarian work, including Fab. F. (Italy): African women’s health projects; Matthieu C. (France): global labor rights; and so many others.

Many guests came to study, teach, create or research:

Marguerite R. (USA) — Sommelier Certification
Tina G. (USA)— Art Students League
Zachary D. (Hollywood!)— Broadway playwright
Emeline H. (France) — English studies
Tor B. (Norway) — faculty, NYU
Yvette V. (Czech Republic) — Fulbright Scholar in Architecture

Michelle P. (USA), a medical PA, came to New York City in the dark days of COVID to volunteer in our besieged hospitals, she stayed for a year. Michelle became our personal go-to for updated COVID information, support, and KN95 masks. We will forever remember the help she offered our city.
Another brave guest during COVID was M. (USA). We identify only by her initial because she is a renowned cybersecurity expert. YES! We did host some very unique guests!

It was inspiring to host so many, young energetic guests just beginning their careers: international models from IMG; thanks, Lisa D.R. (USA); Greta G. (USA), a NYC Ballet dancer; and Gabe L. (USA), future Cirque du Soleil star!

CITYSONNET DRUM ROLL OF STATISTICS
Australian guests top the list for the most frequent visits (are you surprised?), with UK guests coming in second.
Susan and Peter B.L. (USA) clocked the highest number of nights for American guests, with semester-plus stays from 2015–2020.
More Special Mentions to a few fabulous, longtime repeat guests:
Susan and the late Dieter A. (Switzerland)-yummy chocolate gifts, even better wine dinners! 2010–2024
Kristi J. and colleagues (USA)- renowned opera costume designers; monthly-plus stays, 2018–2025
Jim L. (USA) - monthly-plus stays, 2018–2025
Joanna H. (New Zealand) - semiannual, two-three month stays, 2014–2026

THE FINAL FAREWLL
We sold our building on August 4, 2026. The new owners intend to use it for commercial business expansion.
In CitySonnet’s tradition of welcoming new people to New York City, we donated all the furniture, linens, and kitchenware to Ruth’s Refuge, an organization that provides home furnishings and essentials to refugees and asylum seekers in New York City.
After nearly three decades, we leave CitySonnet with enormous gratitude for the adventures, the friendships, and the extraordinary people who walked through our doors.
Thank you for being part of the CitySonnet story.
New York City and New Yorkers will always welcome you back.

With warmest wishes,
Margaret & David

GOING FORWARD-WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY NOW
REMEMBER: New York City is still extraordinary and still worth visiting.
And try to take heart—we believe America will get better!
If possible, try avoiding Airbnb, Booking.com , VRBO, and other platforms that charge high fees and prioritize profits over hosts and guests. Try to book directly.
Tips for Booking Directly
If you find a property on a booking platform, try searching Google or social media using the property’s unique name, distinctive listing title, or its photographs. You may be able to find the owner and book directly without additional fees.
Remember: way back when, CitySonnet began as an individual website connecting guests with real New Yorkers and real places to stay.
People trusted us. Extend that trust to others.

A Few Alternatives
The Listing Project is a Brooklyn, artist-run site that often features short- and long-term accommodations. Artist Stephanie Diamond carefully vets to keep the crazies at bay.
SabbaticalHomes is not just for academics. It often has a good selection of New York City listings. The site is nonprofit and is still run by its academic founder in Los Angeles.
Read More:
See New York Times: How to Avoid Vacation Rental Fees
Lonely Planet guide to navigating overtourism, and making more thoughtful accommodation choices

Our CitySonnet building, circa 1939 when every building in NYC was photographed.