The apartment is nice and cosy. Very well located, in a lively hip neighbourhood in a safe area (I am a solo traveler), close to restaurants and the metro. You can easily walk or travel to attractions, museums, art galleries and many more. Carole was kind to suggest restaurants; we have not met in person. The interior is nicely designed/organised and the bed is comfortable.
The apartment is located in a building with a nice and quiet interior garden/court.
The staircase is old, unrefurbished and with mold.
There has been a serious problem with the hot water, which would run only for up to 5 minutes before it would get cold. So, even if it got the impression it was sorted out (I communicated to the host who came to see/fix the issue throughout my stay), as it was running hot for couple of minutes, I ended up taking cold showers and washing my hair with cold water, as it turned cold just when I was shampooing my hair (first shower there). I alerted the host, who came while I was out, asked if it had been fixed, and I was told I should tell them it there is warm water. I replied affirmatively, as I took a very quick shower. Next day, the situation was the same. To my mind, without being knowledgeable into these matters, a plumber should have been called by the host, even if this happened on a weekend (as justified by the host). Many people rent such places for a long weekend, as myself, hence, I consider there should be emergency plan available for the weekend, as well as for the weekdays (including contacts with plumber, in this case) to sort out such situations. Moreover, after the host tried to fix the boiler, it started dripping water in the bucket below it. It also did a noisy sound, which was positive probably as it made me look at what was going on. I alerted the host again, saying there is water dripping from the boiler and it was accumulating in the bucket below, with cleaning cloths and sprays swamped in water as well. The host was out of town and asked me to go empty the bucket. I took my own time, delayed my tour, and went at the apartment to empty the bucket, clean dry the parquet floor so there would be no damages from the dripping water, clean dry the flooded cleaning sprays and squeeze the water out of the dripping cloths and put everything back in the closet. Then emptied the bucket another time. This was a huge consumption of my time and energy, impacting on my schedule and trip. I had to take medicine because of the cold showers, including on my head. The reply of the host was that they tried, but it is weekend and they are not a plumber. Also they were out of city on Sunday, so asked me to take care of not having the apartment flooded by the dripping water from the evidently malfunctioning boiler, water accumulating in a bucket placed below it, with other items in it, which had to be cleaned. I communicated everything to the host (all the tine I have only met George in person, whom I considered responsive to text messages) including sending pictures and videos to see and hear the sound. They came eventually at evening and stopped the dripping water. While I was on my way to depart, the host asked if I'm going to visit Paris again. I said maybe. They said then I could get one night free with them and probably a lower rate, off the Airbnb platform, when I will visit again. I was speechless. I left, and when I had the chance I checked the Airbnb policy and saw what has happened represented a Travel Issue and was subject to reimbursement (full or partial). This was only my second time using Airbnb, and I mentioned this to the host and the fact that I am not knowledgeable of how it works. After looking at the policy, I informed the host that it is a Travel Issue. They referred the matter to Airbnb who took over. Airbnb were willing to help and said that I should have announced them immediately and I would have probably had been subject to at least 3 nights reimbursement, albeit it was late, we were out of policy and I was at the host's will, who, this time offered to reimburse 1 night. (actually reimburse, not as in the first place when he tried to trick me, asking if I come again etc. what kind of offer is an offer "if you come again", and then, who would stay in these conditions again?!). Airbnb advised I had to inform them right away next time, as there would be immediate remedy to the situation. In this context, the host was much more aware of the policy than me, and situation was favourable to them. I kindly asked for at least 2 nights /or half of my payment to be reimbursed, this has not been accepted. I do understand that emergencies happen, I generally give people the benefit of doubt and act in good faith (hence announcing the host, trying to help with the dripping water etc). Still, judging after what has happened, even if the host was responsive and came to check the situation, I do not consider the situation was treated adequately, they should have adequate maintenance of plumbing and installations, verify these constantly, make sure all safety and wellbeing conditions for guests are being met. And have emergency contacts available for specialised workers (plumbers, electricians etc). One of the light bulbs was not working for example, I informed George and he fixed it. Probably host needs to get specialised assistance, as little things can be fixed in house, albeit serious issues as a malfunctioning boiler, are more complex issues and need a specialist. And this is by no