I really liked this place. I travel most of the year. And I like Airbnb's versus hotels, so I am in Airbnb's and short term apartments more than I am in my own place. All that being said, this flat isn't for everyone (alluded to in other reviews) so let me give you a break-down.
Positive:
- Really cool location. I am in Paris about 5-6 months of the year and when I told my friends I was staying for a few weeks in the 20th, everyone was "that is the best neighborhood in Paris" oh la la (of course ask any Parisian and he will tell you his/her neighborhood is the best in Paris). It's isn't really in the 20th per se, though, it is in the 11th near the 20th, Charonne mentioned in the description is a short 2 blocks away. But it is a nice neighborhood, great shops, bread, patisserie and wine all close by. And not a lot of tourists or bicycles, which is always nice.
- Really nice space. I like the design of the appartement, appliances are new, it looks really cool, the street is quiet, not a lot of foot traffic or cars.
- Nice work space. I work a lot when I travel, so I really liked the large desks and layout.
- Adequately equipped kitchen - I cook a lot at home, so the kitchen was a little light for my tastes in terms of equipment (no microwave but a really nice multifunction oven, no toaster but I left one behind from Monoprix). Also very basic cookware but really nice cookware I have to say, not cheap stuff from Hema, quality cookware although mismatched.
- Smoking fast internet, I was clocking 30-40 Mbps.
Things you should know:
- The stairs in the picture doesn't go to the bedroom. That is the stairs to nowhere, it was good for storing my suitcases in the tight space.
- The bedroom is in the basement, which can get a little damp after using the shower or drying clothes.
- The stairs to the bedroom are REALLY steep with alternating steps. So if you have mobility issues or kids, this place probably won't work. But you do get used to them.
- The unit has a really nice( and new) Samsung washer/dryer which is a really nice unit but is located in the shower. It could be worse, in St. Petersburg, everybody's shower/bathtub is usually in the kitchen in the older part of town.
- This is essentially a store (ie commercial space) converted to an apartment. You enter it from the street like a store, you can hear everyone walking/driving by quite clearly but it is a very quiet street.
- It is a little small, and there really isn't anywhere to hang out except to sit at a desk. Which was fine for me but maybe not everyone.
- Not quite sure how the place is ventilated, the windows don't open, although the house handbook makes mention of a robust ventilation system and I sense there was something working, the space never felt stuffy ( a little musty in the basement sometimes after drying clothes ). It was not hot while I was there but I also wonder why there are so many fans, so I suspect no air conditioning so I am not sure what the summer would be like.
It worked quite well for me but maybe not for everybody.
Lilan was a great host, good communication, responsive to emails and texts. The neighbors are nice, your trash is next door, everyone there was super kind. I would rent this flat again.