I took my daughter to Paris last week as a high school graduation gift. This place just stood out as a true Parisian experience and it WAS! The location was absolute perfection!!! The streets below were blocked off from cars so it gave it a quaint true European feel. Below were a variety of restaurants, including a monoprix (grocery store) and an amazing bakery where we got fresh out of the oven chocolate croissants every morning. There's a charming, flirty crepe maker on Rue Mouffatard that let my daughter make her own crepe. So fun:)
At night you could hear distant French conversations wafting up, but with a quick close of the windows it was silence. Grateful for those double-panned windows. We slept well. The bed was very comfortable and there was a fan provided to keep us cool. No trouble with the toilet.
The stairs were just as described. Very old and crumbly, a tight space... But my daughter was with me and it made the experience even more of an adventure. As others have said it added to the charm. If traveling alone I'd definitely advise a small carry-on and make sure to have your cell phone ready for a flashlight at night:)
We walked everywhere...including the Eiffel Tower (which was FAR), but we took the Batobus (water taxi) home and it was a perfect way to rest and take in the city. Definitely take the Batobus. It's a cheap and easy way to see the whole city and you're on the Seine River. Joy! Overall it was the time of our lives. Memories we will never forget!! Thank you Valerie for your quick responses and tips. This place made Paris very special to us. I look forward to bringing my husband here someday!