When we were looking for a place to stay, we wanted to be close to the Gare de Lyon train station. The reason was that we were planning on catching a train to Barcelona following our visit to Paris. So we focused our search to the neighborhoods surrounding the train station. We also had a group of 11 adults or 5 couples, so searching for an apartment with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms was important. Why important, can you imagine 11 people all trying to get ready for the day or getting ready for sleep trying to share 2 bathrooms? We were so happy to find Joel's apartment because it satisfied all our needs: close to the train station, lots of eateries, close to the metro and subways and yet, far enough away from the typical tourist gatherings so that we could get a true feel of the Paris neighborhood. We felt safe walking around the streets at night.
The apartment was nicely furnished. Each room was unique to any other bedrooms and had their own flavor and decorations. The beds and pillows were comfortable and blankets warm. Some of the bathrooms were a little too cozy for me and being 6 feet tall, I tended to find shelves by using my head. The kitchen was nicely provided for with all the pots and pans, appliances, you would need to make a meal and serve it. Having a nice long table was so great for gathering the group together to share a late night snack, a drink and stories before going to sleep.
The street fronting the apartment is a one lane street with street parking. We had arranged to have transportation from the airport and to the train station, that if there were not parking available immediately in front of the entrance, the van or microbus would end up blocking the street until we were all loaded or unloaded. Thankfully, it was a quiet street with not much traffic, except for local traffic.
Joel was a great host, although we never got a chance to meet with him personally, he provided all the information we needed to check in, tips for the local areas around his apartment and a point of contact should anything go wrong or for assistance/questions.
Everyone was so happy with the arrangements and with the apartment. I would have to say that if we came back, we would be contacting Joel again to rent his apartment.