My husband and I stayed at Rugby Gardens for two nights during our NYC trip. It was very easy to find thanks to the great directions from Sue (the owner). The place makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in. There are a lot of pictures and paintings all over the walls, antique looking furniture, etc. The owners were very helpful about everything, kept asking if we needed anything and even ordered us a cab for going out that night. We got the keys to the front door, so we could leave and come back any time we wanted. Our room was really nice and had everything we needed (like hair dryer, a set of towels, even cotton balls and q-tips). Bathroom (which we shared with another guest) also had pretty much everything in it (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, etc).
In the morning Sue served us breakfest in the dining room, and her husband got freshly baked bagels and coffee cake. We also had crossaints, jams, yogurts, cheese which gave us a great start for the day.
The next day we were supposed to check out by 11 am, but we had to be downtown unti 4-5pm, so the owners offered us to leave all our bags downstairs and leave the car parked for the day and just pick it up whenever. And later on that afternoon when we came back to pick up our things Sue again gave us great directions of how to get out of the city as fast as possible avoiding afternoon traffic.
Next time we have to go to NYC we'll definitly try to stay at this place again, and I will recommend it to my friends as well.

I travelled with my husband and one of our adolescent sons to Rugby Gardens in March, 2008. We have been to the New York area many times, but this was our first opportunity to stay in Brooklyn. Rugby Gardens was not only a comfortable place to stay (THE MOST COMFORTABLE BEDS ANY OF US HAS SLEPT ON), but it was conveniently located for the subway. It was easy to get wherever we wanted to go. Because of the neighbourhood each time we came back to Rugby Gardens we felt like we were coming home. It's a very different "vibe" to be in Brooklyn than in Manhattan. Not frenetic, yet extremely interesting. My husband and I are runners, and the location of Rugby Gardens was perfect for us. It's a short distance away from Prospect Park in one direction and about a mile away from a track in a different direction. So if you want to run, the location could not be better.
Sue and Michael were friendly and gracious hosts. They made sure we had everything we needed and gave us great information about things to see in the area. (loved having access to their guidebooks, too). All this, despite the fact that they had suffered a death in the family just days before our arrival. We have already recommended Rugby Gardens to people we know and we highly recommend it to those of you online reading this review.

Rugby Gardens was exactly what I needed for a local, affordable accommodation in Brooklyn. The neighborhood is lovely, near the park with small shops near by. I was free to come and go as I pleased and Michael and Susan were extremely helpful, non-intrusive, pleasant people. Breakfast was substantial with many choices. There are 2 rooms on the 3rd floor, one with a double bed and a larger room with a queen bed. There is a need for a good reading lamp next to or over the bed. Travel lightly as it is a trek up the stairs with a heavy suitcase! A hair drier was in the room as was a TV and DVD player with several movies available. The bathroom was shared and well supplied with lotions, cotton balls, nice soaps and shampoo/conditioner in the shower. I had the floor to myself except for 2 nights. The other guest and I never met and I slept in as I sensed she had to get up and out. My last night was very cold, no heat, but there was a down comforter on the bed and a heavy spread. Loud clanking and banging pipes serenaded me very early in the morning. Cabs did not appear to be easy to find in the neighborhood but one night I did call a car service which charged about $1/block of driving. The cab fare from La Guardia was $42 including tip. Get directions from Susan prior to leaving so that the cabbie doesn't take you for a ride! The subway is only a few blocks away.

I highly recommend Rugby Gardens.

Vibrant, walkable neighborhood; a block from subway, food coop, many storefront restaurants; comfortable old house; helpful hosts. Definitely recommended!