As first time airbnb'ers, we were very pleased with our communication with Fred right away. He kindly pre-approved us based on our brief description of ourselves.

The directions to the flat were easy to follow and we found the building with no issue. The location is awesome - Oberkampf comes alive at night with lots of restaurants/brasseries full of locals and only few tourists, perfect for an authentic Parisian experience! Happened upon a fantastic tapas/wine bar called Bloodies just around the corner (Strange name, but trust me food is AMAZING). There is a bakery right next door for plenty of fresh croissants in the mornings. Several grocery stores nearby. Easy to navigate the city from Parmentier metro station.

We weren't quite sure on the location of the apartment within the building as second floor to us North Americans meant up one flight of stairs, but it was up two. For those with weary legs after long days of sightseeing, there is a teeny tiny lift that works great. We were delayed a little with customs and the commute so were a little later than our agreed upon time. Fred was not at the apartment when we arrived but I sent him a text and he appeared literally within 1 minute!

Fred gave us a quick tour around and demonstrated how things worked. The apartment itself was absolutely PERFECT. We felt at home immediately. Yes, it is small by Canadian standards, but it well appointed and beautifully decorated. Fred obviously has a keen eye for architecture and decor. The king bed was so comfortable and doubled as extra seating. The windows open into the little courtyard to let in come air without extra noise. The kitchen was teeny but served us well. Nespresso cups provided for a nominal fee which came in handy. Gorgeous shower, big enough for two.

I just can't say enough good things about Fred and his beautiful home that he was kind enough to share for a week! We would love to come stay again.