The host wasn't there to welcome us but her communication via email is almost immediate. When we arrive (well we arrived earlier than the checked-in time), she already arranged the guardian to help us with our luggage and allowed us to check in early. He doesn't speak English but hand gesture was enough. He walked us through the whole place and showed us where things are. We just got in from Milan on the overnight train, it was not a good experience but after seeing the place, we felt much better.
The place is very airy and clean. If you look for the workmanship on the details of a penthouse compared to California homes, you cannot make that comparison. The slate tiles in the bathroom is cracking. The woodwork is Ikea style but the kitchen is very equipped. There was even a rice cooker and coffee maker and a Nepresso but there are no pods or coffee.
There was no breakfast provided but we didn't need it because we loved to roam the city and enjoyed every single moment of it.
As soon as you open the balcony door, you'll see 1/3 of the Eiffel tower - PRICELESS. The owner has a book with all the instructions and recommendation around the place. So organized. Wished I had more time in Paris to go through most of it. There are some Michelin rated restaurants recommendation in that book too. We found a restaurant around her neighborhood and it was awesome called La Coincidence - so good and so friendly. Gotta try their homemade foie gras there.
Back to the place, this place has a small private elevator just for this flat and the upper apartment. It can fit maximally 4 people without luggage. The cable creaks when it approaches the top which made us a little uncomfortable. But overall, recommend it to all traveler. The place is a little expensive but it is in a great neighborhood and right across from the metro line.
One more thing, this place has washer & DRYER. We did not encounter any dryer on our trip in Italy. This is a def a plus and she also provided us with detergent to wash our clothes too. A fine touch.