Shani is an excellent host; she was very communicative and I felt comfort in that we could reach out to her at any time with any questions. I found the location of the apartment very convenient. It is close to several Metro stations (very close to Bastille); there are plenty of options around the direct location for food, shopping, and walking; and the neighborhood has a more hip and relaxed vibe. I highly advise any future guests going to Paris for the museums and monuments to purchase a Metro Visite pass--the Bastille metro station will quickly become your launching point to the typical Paris landmarks. But also be sure to take time to walk around and explore nearby Le Marais and stroll around Place des Vosges (a block or two from Shani's place). This having been our first time in Paris (in Europe, really), we would travel to the well-known landmarks during the day, and in the evening we would return to our home area and unwind. It really was a nice sanctuary from the often overwhelming touristic areas.