This is the kind of review I wish others would write so I know exactly what I'm getting BEFORE I get there. Overall we had a great time at Peter's apartment in Paris but there are some things to know ahead so you are better prepared.
Pros:
*AMAZING location! Couldn't ask for better. Right in the middle of everything. You can walk easily to most of the major Paris destinations and you are very close to many metro stops. This alone is reason to stay here.
*The host is on top of things so I always felt safe that the checkin process would go easily and it did. He quickly answered all of my texts and emails.
*The place was clean and well equipped, you had everything you needed to prepare meals, coffee, wash clothes (though no dryer, you lay clothes out on a drying rack but they dry overnight pretty well), wifi, hairdryer (no iron or fans which would have been useful given the hot Paris weather while we were there). We didn't find ourselves purchasing things that we would have to leave behind for the next guest.
*Many great cafes, restaurants and great grocery stores very near by. We shopped daily and carried things back in our backpacks, including our wine and champagne. We found prices are comparable or better than the states given the mostly even exchange while we were there.
*It has 2 actual private bedrooms with pretty comfy beds (though pillows were not great).
*Good value - we felt what we paid was what it was worth given the amazing location and the fact that it met our needs.
Cons:
*Its Paris so theres that. It is NOISY. If you are sensitive to noise, especially at night, I highly recommend ear plugs for sleeping. Parisians party in the streets all night and this apartment is on a very busy street with businesses down below (which does make it fun too!) One bedroom faces the street so very noisy at night, the other faces the inner courtyard which was more noisy in the am's when people were leaving for work. Everything echoes there.
*THERE IS NO ELEVATOR. I can't stress this enough. Its a very old building. The stairwell is very narrow, very steep and winding all the way up 4 very long flights (Parisians count the first floor as 0 so when it says 3rd floor its really the 4th floor). I am in great physical shape as were my travel partners and we found it challenging, especially getting our luggage up and down or at the end of a long day when you had already walked 8 miles and were tired or carrying up packs of groceries. Understand that this is typical for Paris and if you are looking for an apartment in a new building with a lift you are going to pay more for that.
*There is 1 bathroom broken up into 2 pieces. There is a separate toilet room just off the entrance across from the street facing bedroom which has just the toilet (this actually was very convenient for multiple guests). The rest of the bath, which is a narrow room with a 1 sink vanity and a tub/shower combo, is really an ensuite for the second bedroom so you have to enter the "master bedroom" area which is a hallway that contains the bedroom and bath so there is no separate door from the bath/bedroom. This can be a challenge when traveling with others who are not on the same schedule as you and need to use the bathroom to get ready while you are still sleeping, so do consider your travel partners in this equation.
As I said earlier, we were very happy with our choice. We have used air bnb in many locations around the world and have learned to have the proper expectation when renting. Many places are also the residence of the owner so they feel very "lived in" which can be weird if you aren't accustomed to that. I also find they often have their own "character" which may or may not suit your style. My basic tenets are that its clean, well equipped, well located near what I want to experience and that the host is on top of it. All of these were met hence the 5 star rating.
Voila', enjoy Paris!