If I were going to rate this stay based on location + cost and the friendliness of the host alone, it would be five stars. This is a perfect location to get around Paris, and everything you need is in spitting distance. Alas, there are other things to consider with long-term stay. (See PRO TIPS at bottom of review.)
I’ve been traveling for the past year, and primarily use longer term Airbnbs for housing, so I’m not unfamiliar with what’s standard in most places.
The apartment itself could just use a good deep clean, and there are places on the ceiling where water has leaked through that need repair. I ended up having to purchase new sponges, hand soap for the bathroom, and dish soap for the kitchen in my first day or two. The freezer and fridge, while a very nice size, weren’t cleaned out, so there was no room for me to use the freezer at all.
The sheets were worn with stains/tears, and the mattress cover and pillows could use a deep clean.
There was no fan, despite the apartment getting warm when it gets to about 70°F (beware in summer months!), so I ended up purchasing one myself. There were no instructions on how to operate any of the appliances, or where certain things might be located.
PRO TIPS:
- This apt is up four flights of steep stairs; if you have mobility or respiratory challenges, this may not be the place for you
- Always use softener when you wash towels and sheets so they don’t get as crunchy
- Do an extra spin cycle at the end of every load of laundry to help things dry more quickly (Essorage - bottom of the dial)
- Use the towel warmer in the bathroom to quickly dry socks/underwear, and heavier things like jeans
- Monoprix is the closest grocery/general store, but there are both a Franprix and Carrefour a few blocks further that have better selections; there’s a whole wonderful indoor market near Gare de Lyon, as well
- Maison Letissier is the best boulangerie/pâtisserie close by (I went at least three times a week)
- Ledru Rollin (Line 8) is your closest metro stop; exit via Sortie 4 to come out closest to the apt
- The floor mattress is like sleeping on the floor itself; you can get an air mattress and pump on Amazon for 25€. Put that on the floor mattress, and it’s actually quite nice