@Jordan184
Oh Jordan these things are just going to happen, As humans we all have different expectations, and booking a hosting site is always a bit of a 'leap of faith' both on the part of guests and hosts. Neither of us know what we are going to get!
Your reviews are from both ends of the scale for the same apartment in the same building.....What-th!
You had Lucila's review who loved your apartment but hated the building, to Heidi's who loved the area but hated your apartment. Gee, how do you get around that.....you can't, you can't influence peoples minds.
You list your apartment honestly with a 'warts and all' description Jordan! Nobody could ever accuse you of trying to be deceptive in your description. So how come we get such diametrically opposed reviews?
Let it go Jordan, you can't control it but.....you can now make a pratt of yourself by climbing into someone in your review response who gave you 5 stars and said your apartment was great!
This is the time to be diplomatic, thank Lucila for her wonderful review and simply say, "I as a host, like you Lucila, first had reservations about the building and the area but I have come to love it and, as you discovered each turned out to compliment your stay rather than detract from it"...
That way you are thanking a nice guest for a nice review, you are not clashing swords with her over her building comments, and you are showing yourself to be the measured, considerate and fine host that you no doubt are. I have stayed not far from you in Long Island City almost on the corner of 10th and 43rd in the shadows of the Queenboro Bridge and although I was told how rough the area was, I found it wonderful and I felt safe at all times being there.
Jordan, sometimes I think we get too bogged down in 'Urban myths'. In the main we are not fools, and if I was looking at booking your loft, I would take a 5 star review any time over a throw away comment.....hands down!!
All the best.
Cheers.....Rob