Review for "Bastille Apt : central, cosy & safe", Rue du Dahomey.
This was my first booking via airbnb and thanks to sweet host Charlotte and her lovely apartment it'll most likely not be my last.
The apt looks like in the pictures, stylishly decorated, very clean and with a warm homey feel. It has several fun and custom built features. It's easy to feel at home quickly. Good wifi which is useful since free wifi is not commonplace out in Paris.
Kitchen looked fully fitted although I never used it to cook, only made breakfast and some evening snacks. Bathroom and shower had good hot water and good water pressure. Shower is fitted with a 'larger than life' design shower head :) and a handheld head. The whole flat, including the bathroom (tiles, sink etc), looks (is) all newly refurbished.
The apt is situated on a quiet side-street in a buzzing area with shops and cafés. You literally walk around a corner, leave all the noise behind you, and find yourself on a quiet street with neighbours such as a design school, art gallery and private residents. Quiet without feeling empty. The street is so small it doesn't appear on all Paris maps. Supermarkets and boulangeries are close by and it's easy to stock up for picnics before heading out to explore Paris. Buses and métro (line 8) stops are 3-5 mins away. Bastille a 15-20 mins walk, as well as the Marais area, Père Lachaise is within walking distance too (ca 30mins).
I stayed for a week in May 2013 and the weather was really bad but it was always good to have this nice apt to return to in the evening. I value that feeling a lot. And a good nights' sleep, I got that too. Only on Saturday night was there some smallish party that could be heard from outside but apart from that quiet every night. Neighbours inside the building were very quiet too, the front door let in some noise but so rarely it was actually quite good to hear other people in the building. A friend stayed for a few days and this was not a problem for Charlotte. One of us slept on the sofa and one took the bed and it work out really well, Charlotte provided towels and bed linen for both, no extra charge.
Although I've only met Charlotte twice, when checking in and checking out, and we've done some emailing and texting, she feels like a new friend it would be great to meet again. Generous and professional with the flat and even providing breakfast(!), she kindly provided answers to any questions, was very helpful and informative about the apt, building, Paris and the local area.
I definitely recommend her as a great host and her apt to anyone that values a central location, cleanliness, quiet nights, an attentive host, feeling of safety and a stylish accommodation! Thank you Charlotte! Tip top marks!! :)