Arnaud is one of the greatest hosts you'll ever meet. He was very welcoming, left us a bottle of wine, candies, and several guidebooks on arrival, and was great in communicating with us to help us navigate the city on our first trip to Paris. Always smiling, he really helped us feel comfortable with him. He even opened up the windows for several days before our arrival to help air out some of the smoke smell (which we were readily expecting upon a visit to Paris). Very accommodating. A guy who will adjust his own habits to create a better experience for you is a top notch host in my book. His sister also runs a great little blog all about Paris life (reviews of restaurants, etc.) from a Parisian perspective; that was cool to see (parismieuxmieux).

The flat is very spacious compared to any hotel room you'd find, and is very close to Republique, easily walkable to Bastille and Pompidou. Plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and boulangeries within just a few blocks. Metro and bus are very accessible too, just a block or two away for each to the nearest line.

It is on the "4th floor" (ground floor is zero, so it might feel more like the 5th floor to some), with no lift. As long as you're reasonably fit (we don't work out or anything, but aren't terribly out of shape), it shouldn't be a problem. We were only going home and leaving once or twice a day, so it wasn't a nuisance at all.

It's decorated well, colorful and quirky with tons of natural light from the many windows. Arnaud is an accomplished graphic designer, so his taste in decor will be appreciated by younger guests.

Being able to do laundry was a huge bonus in letting us pack light for our trip. The shower and laundry room are attached to the master bedroom. The toilet is on the other side of the living room from the master bedroom. The majority of the flat was very clean, especially the shower room, bedroom, and living room. The toilet room could have been a bit cleaner. Having a kitchen was nice too, to help us save some money by shopping at the local markets for food.

In the end, if you're looking for an Americanized Paris, smoke-free with all the shops you're used to in the states, you'll be more comfortable in a regular American hotel chain. If you're looking for a truer Parisian experience, this is a solid place to stay.

Thanks Arnaud!