A wonderful apartment in the heart of Paris. Spacious, clean, comfortable, and in an unbeatable location near public transit and the Île de la Cité. I would gladly return next time I’m in town.
Apartment: The apartment is fantastic, and we were very happy with our stay. It’s spacious, clean, and quite fashionably decorated. There’s plenty of natural light, with three large windows that open onto Rue Dauphine and several smaller ones that let in light from tiny interior courtyards to the rear. It’s a comfortable space, and it’s obviously a home rather than a rental apartment. We felt very much at home here. The bed is particularly comfy and large. The wifi is fast and reliable. Alexandra made sure to leave essentials such as soap, shampoo, towels, and a hair dryer, which was much appreciated. Access to the apartment is via a typically-Parisian narrow staircase, though it’s well-lit and at just under forty steps it’s not a bad climb. We had no trouble getting our luggage in or out, and we had two large suitcases. The building is quiet; the stairs are sturdy and do not creak so we didn’t really hear any of the residents coming or going. There is some noise from the bar downstairs at night in the form of muffled music and voices, but it didn’t bother us or keep us awake. If you’ve ever spent time in a city you’ll know that’s to be expected. Likewise, you’ll notice the usual sounds of traffic and voices in the street outside. Again, this was not bothersome to us.
Host: Alexandra was delightful to work with. She contacted us several times before our trip and made herself readily available via various methods of communication. She even sent us a list of her favorite local cafes, restaurants, bakeries, etc., complete with comments and maps (we visited a few and her recommendations were spot-on). Though we didn’t meet in person, as she was away, she arranged for a flexible check in and check out process. It couldn’t have been simpler.
Location: The location is incredible. It’s only a sixty-second walk to the Seine at Pont Neuf, less than ten to the Metro, and less than fifteen to Notre-Dame. You can easily walk to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. If you’d like to explore Saint Germain (and you should), walk south on Rue Dauphine for a block or two and you’ll be a stone’s throw from Rue de Buci, Boulevard Saint-Germain, and an untold number of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and other interesting places. We spent a lot of time here, and we didn’t even scratch the surface. The neighborhood has a great vibe, with people of all ages walking about and a youthful energy that lasts well into the night. It doesn’t feel touristy at all. We absolutely loved it.