One of my favorite places to stay in Paris! Not just on Ile Saint Louis, which is always fabulous - pretty and quiet with wonderful small restaurants, cafes, and shops - but in Sophie's charming apartment.
First, it is larger and more beautifully decorated than it seems in the photos. There's a lovely tiled entryway, and a half bath off the fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, washing machine, small fridge, electric kettle and Krups espresso maker).
The main sitting room is large, bright and spacious. With a comfortable couch, chairs, flat screen TV, and dining table. Beyond the main room is a good sized office type area with book shelves, a desk, and a single cot bed. The room can be divided in half for privacy. A door connects this space to the large bathroom shared with the small ensuite bedroom with gorgeous views of the Seine and the leafy trees lining Quai de Bourbon.
The enormous bathroom has a large shower, lots of hot water, a nice bathtub, and great lighting. Sophie even includes terrycloth bathrobes (which was a pleasant surprise).
Throughout the apartment there are tall French windows that open up to amazing views: the Seine flowing past, the Marais over the bridge, even the Pompidou Centre beyond the church. On Sundays you can even hear the bells of Notre Dame.
There is a tiny elevator up to the 5th (top) floor, the wifi works great, and heaters in each room are easy to work should you need them (we did during a chilly spring).
Sophie also provides guide books, maps, and a wonderful notebook filled with directions for how to use things in the apartment, contact information and lots of suggestions for things to do.
She provided us with check-in information including a map, and was on hand to meet us when we arrived. She stocked the kitchen with milk, eggs, fruit, coffee, fresh baguette and a box of treats from the boulangerie. As a airbnb hostess, she is delightful.
We prefer to explore on our own and Sophie gave us the key and her phone number then let us do just that. I've stayed in many wonderful apartments in Paris, but it is to Sophie's place that I will look forward to returning.