This was a great place in one of the best neighborhoods. Honestly I feel like we sort of got lucky that we booked this apartment for its centrality, not really realizing this is one of the most exclusive streets in Paris. We actually walked to all of the classic tourist attractions from the apartment. 3 short blocks from siene river and the major museums
The stairs are real but the hosts take luggage up and down an elevator to the top floor of the main unit then take them up the final stair through the internal staircase.
I suspect that the space they rent out was the bedrooms for their family before they grew up so it feels like a normal home. (That is why it has no kitchen). It is connected to the main apartment (5th floor) through a staircase but it still feels very private since it has a door closing it off. You access the apartment though the back staircase that completely skips their house). Then you as the guest have full access to the 6th floor and the tiny 7th floor finished out attic space. Do not expect a high end finished area. Expect more the warmth of visiting your parents house and the furniture and finishing are not brand new but are clean and well cared for.
There are 2 real bedrooms and a stairway up the a finished attic where there is a futon that serves as the potential 3rd sleeping space (Our son loved it) and also where there is a small table for pastries and coffee in the morning or a takeout dinner (which is good option if the kids are exhausted after a long day). There is a very fancy grocery store (called La Grande Epicerie) about a 1/3 mile walk away that has amazing takeout options that worked for us on 2 of our 8 nights there. (There are closer stores for milk and OJ and pastries but the grocery store is worth a visit if you are there for more than a few days). As the reservation states there is no kitchen but there is an adequate fridge/microwave/toaster/water pot/
The toilet is in a very little small room separate from the shower/double sink room which works well if you are there with a larger group.
The host family is very warm and available. We were actually there during some major protests and she came by that morning to make sure we were choosing the right places to visit to stay away from the protests. The pictures speak for themselves. Because it is on the top floor you can view in both directions. The kids watched the sparkling Eiffel Tower show from their rooms onon most nights.
You can sure find places that are a bit cheaper and a bit more modern update that this place will not disappoint as long as you are OK with the stairs