I loved staying in Bernard's bijou apartment. It is in a very central location, opposite hotels costing three times as much and with excellent public transport access. Shoppers especially will love the location with Printemps and Galleries Lafayette a short walk away. The Roissy airport bus from CDG stops just 3 minutes' walk from the apartment and the Opera metro is even closer. Despite being so central I found the apartment to be quiet as it's sheltered from the street noise by being so high and by the trees.

It's stylish and beautifully clean. Small, but with plenty room enough for 2. The kitchen is equipped with what you'd need to prepare a simple meal. The shower room is also compact but the shower was excellent. The bed is very firm, but I found it comfortable. I was a little scared of the balcony - I'm uncomfortable with heights - but the stunning view from it tempted me out.

I did have one problem. Getting back to the apartment building at 2am after a night out, I found the door to the street locked. The lock was broken, and there was no way of contacting the building's concierge. I had no choice but to phone and wake Francois, who looks after the apartments for Bernard. there was no answer but after a worrying 10 minutes Francois called to say that he'd roused the concierge to open the door for me. This was not a problem of the apartment, of Bernard or Francois, but of the concierge. It is the risk of renting an apartment over staying in a hotel, I suppose.

I have allergies so I asked for the bedlinen to be washed in a sensitive detergent. Bernard was happy to arrange this and I agreed to refund him the money for the detergent. I'd also to purchase holiday rental insurance which was an additional cost. I understand this is something required in France but when it is obligatory I'd have expected it to be included in the total fee for the stay.

I loved my short time in my own little apartment in central Paris and have already whole-heartedly recommended Bernard's rooms to family and friends.