Wonderful Marais 2 floor Apt with fabulous views.
This 2-story apartment on the top 5th & 6th floors of a lovely building was my Family of four’s ( 2 middle-aged parents, and 2 sons aged 19 & 25) Parisian home-away-from-home for 6 nights over the Paris Marathon to watch my sons race.
Olga & Joe the owners are wonderful hosts and great communicators. We heard back immediately each time we asked a question. They had great advice on restaurants and where to buy certain things. They met us at arrival and departure to make sure we felt comfortable. They also provided extra towels since we had marathon runners in our group.
The pictures do not reflect the elegance and comfort of the Apt. Or the tremendous views from 2 different terraces and all the large windows. The Apt feels very Airy and sunny - even though we had much clouds and rain that week.
The living room is huge with 3 large white sofas (that could be sleeping spots for teens/kids). There is a nice office space with a huge library of book shelves and large desk in front of large window off the living room. The main entry foyer is also large and where we kept our many coats, shoes, umbrellas and backpacks.
The turquoise blue kitchen is just lovely and fully stocked in a classic Parisian way. We cooked several times and hosted 12 people for a pizza and wine Marathon After-party. Plenty of space to entertain that many people. (I will warn that we set off the fire alarm up on a cabinet the first time we cooked - so open windows or use stove fan.)
The 6th floor is accessed 2 ways. First by elevator (when you arrive you go directly there with suitcases) or the Apt wide staircase - both outside of the Apt. This 6th floor has a separate key. Or it is normally accessed by a pretty - yet very narrow (2 feet wide?) open staircase from the living room. We were fine using staircase often but we are all in good shape and fine climbing. This staircase is not recommended for anyone with small children (under 6 years) or elderly people or people with any physical leg/climbing issues. So defiantly note that.
There is a small “toilet only” bathroom off the kitchen in a large pantry-like closet with the washing machine . (No dryer machine - just a rack).
Upstairs there is only 1 full bathroom which is newly renovated with large mirror with shelve for toiletries and 2 separate sinks, a large tub, and a separate shower. We did find the shower pressure limited and recommend stronger rainfall shower head since bathroom is so new and elegant.
Best part of bathroom are the large windows with a view of the Eiffel Tower and rooftops of Paris.
The Master is really an open loft area with a sofa and large desk in the middle area, huge windows on both sides and a full bed (almost queen size in US) in one corner of this loft area with a large TV on stand nearby. There is not much privacy in this master room since it is open to the stairway, entrance to main bathroom and 2nd bedroom. So I recommend only for very close friends or family to share.
The 2nd bedroom does have a door on it and contains one full bed (fine for 1 adult or 2 kids) and 1 single bed - fine for kids or teens. Do not recommend for Adults as it is quite short. My one son needed to get a hotel room night before the marathon because the bed was too small/uncomfortable for him. So honestly that’s my only real caution about the sleeping arrangements. I think this place is great for a family with 2 parents and 2/3 younger kids/teens approx ages 5-16. But not for 4 grown adults unless they are on smaller sizes.
The Apt also has 2 beautiful terraces - one on each floor. One terrace has large table and chairs for dining with gorgeous plants. The second has a small table with 2 /3 cafe chairs. Both have great views.
The neighborhood is in the center of Le Marais and down the street is a large open air market with many shops, a full grocery, pharmacy, special bread/bakery, cheese shop, coffee shop, multiple restaurant, crepe store, even pizza shops, and 2/3 wine stores. And clothes shopping is also right nearby as well with many shops. The location was just perfect!!
If you want to feel like you actually live in Paris - this is a great place to rent.