This is my first review that’s not super-positive. Most everything was great here, and I’ll get to that & local recommendations, but first there are a couple of warnings. Not huge problems, but definitely not the kind of thing you want on vacation.
1. The keys are a 6-7 minute walk away. If you divert your ride, it’s 9-11 minutes with one-ways and traffic. (I used Google) This is just to get there. You have to retrieve the keys and then get back. So round trip is 15 - 25 minutes added to your transit times coming and going. After thinking it through, the best way, if you walk, is to keep all the luggage and one of your party inside the main door of the apartment building, which can be opened with a code, not the key.
Mariam insisted that it’s important to take her keys back at the end of the stay, even though both doors lock themselves on the way out. I would leave the keys in the flat when you checkout. She’s asking her guests to manage putting her keys back for the next guests.
2. There is no guidebook in the app listing, or on the premises. It’s a great place, but there are no directions for how to work the washing machine - or anything at all. Nothing about local spots either, which is a shame because this is a fantastic neighborhood.
3. Communication is really bad. When we stayed there, the showers had just been installed, according to Mariam. There was such a horrible smell coming from one of the showers that we could not enter the bathroom. It was a new smell for me, but very much like sewage or rotting garbage in it’s effect on us, but also with respiratory response. But the biggest problem was that Mariam insisted that the smell came from downstairs and in any case was not a problem for us. We had to go through another bedroom to use the toilet or shower.
When I suggested that we leave the key in the flat upon checkout, or that she make the whole key thing easier, she insisted that it took only 5 minutes to do it, even though google says minimum 12 minute round-trip walk. Her instructions to do everything arrived in a message the day before we arrived, so we had not planned for the extra time. She gave complicated directions for finding the key box that took me to the opposite corner of the store and I finally asked the clerk who was obviously very tired of being asked.
Here’s where the key box is: Just inside the front door on the left wall of the store.
4. Others have also mentioned the school nearby. It’s not a problem if you don’t sleep late and the windows are soundproofed. Amazingly soundproofed.
Everything else was as good as it gets.
Location is fantastic. Close to Metro stations. Pretty close to a very nice market (Marché des Enfants Rouges) and lots of restaurants and shops. If you like noodle bowls, do not miss Chez Haki. If you like vegan/vegetarian, go to Kitchen.
The apartment is clean and wonderfully designed. The beams are centuries old but the amenities are brand new. The beds are comfortable and sheets great. The shower we used was also great.