Vacation Rentals by Owner

Fabulous Paris!

Guest: Leemac (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 03/18/12 Review Submitted: 04/17/12

This was the second time I had rented an apartment from Cecile, the first time was in 2010 and I stayed in the Marais apartment which was brilliant. I thought I would try the Luxembourg apartment and I was not disappointed. The apartment is in an excellent location, close to some really good restaurants and of course the beautiful gardens. I had eveything I needed and being so close to the markets I could take advantage of fresh produce to make some great home cooked meals. Cecile always offers the best in service and I have no hesitation in recommending her (in fact I have given her details to many of my friends) and I will definately be staying at one of her properties the next time I am in Paris. Thanks for again making my time in this wonderful city so fabulous!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home away from home ...

Guest: AER (USA)
Date of Stay: 03/11/12 Review Submitted: 03/27/12

A wonderfully cozy apartment, tastefully decorated, spotless and ideally situated. Both arrival and departure were well organized and the owner was helpful and gracious. I am looking forward to renting this or another one of Cecile's apartments on my next trip to Paris.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic!

Guest: Wayhop (United States)
Date of Stay: 03/02/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

This was an absolutely wonderful apartment. It was our first experience with VRBO and set a very high bar for future rentals. The location is one of the best parts. We walked 7-10 miles each day and were always happy at how central the location was. Yes, 4 flights of stairs were a lot, but didn't change our opinion of the apartment. The size and amenities were perfect for us. We did use the washer, dryer and dishwasher and they did great. The bed was comfortable and shower luxurious. All in all, we recommend it very highly!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic Apartment in Saint Germain

Guest: sawb (Jacksonville, FL)
Date of Stay: 01/31/12 Review Submitted: 02/20/12

My husband and I lived in Paris about a decade ago so when planning this trip wanted to stay in a comfortable place in our favorite part of town - we could not have asked for more! The space is very quiet yet in the middle of some of the best shopping in Paris. Everything was absolutely perfect and the space was very comfortable for two people. The photos/descriptions online were very accurate and the space was clean and well-maintained. We now want to plan an annual visit - but only if we can stay here! For those travellers who do not know the city well, the owner leaves very detailed information about how to get around the city. She goes above and beyond to make sure you enjoy your stay and feel comfortable.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

St. Germaine Apartment/Marais Studio

Guest: Robin and Warren Adams (Spokane, Washington, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/04/12 Review Submitted: 05/17/12

This was our third stay at the St Germaine apartment. We were so delighted to be back in Paris at your apartment. You have thought of everything one might need. We also spent four nights at the Marais studio which was so delightful. Excellent location and accommodation to explore the historical Marais. We look forward to future visits to Paris only if we can stay at one of your apartments. Thank you Cecile.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lovely Apartment in St Germain

Guest: Jackelyn (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/24/12

My husband and I stayed at this apartment the week following New Year's. We loved the apartment as well as the area, and hope we can stay here for all future visits to Paris. The apartment is on the top floor of a walk-up, so I do not recommend it for people who can't carry their bags up/down for arrival/departure. Cecile was easy to work with, and we definitely felt her personal touch from the moment we entered the apartment. The apartment is clean, beautifully decorated, and has great amenities. We especially appreciated the directions Cecile left on how to use the appliances along with suggestions of her favorite cafes. If you want a more authentic Paris experience, then I highly recommend renting an apartment over staying at a hotel.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Location; Great Accomodations

Guest: DCTravel (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 12/03/11 Review Submitted: 12/18/11

It was my first trip to Paris. The location couldn't have been better, and there was no better way to feel emersed in a true Parisian experience. The apartment was comfortable and well-appointed. The location was great - steps from the Luxembourg Gardens, Metro, and numerous really, really great boutique restaurants, grocery stores, and restaurants. I travel a lot, and this was one of my favorite places I have rented. Cecile couldn't have been more accomodating. LOVED IT.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Kelley from Texas

Guest: Kelley from Texas (Austin, Texas, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/18/11

From the moment we arrived, we felt right at home. The location was so convenient to many major sights and close to the Metro. There was a market right down the street, which made it so convenient. Great location. The apartment is very clean and well maintained. It is on the 4th floor, so there are stairs to climb. Your first climb with luggage is an experience, however, by the end of the trip you are climbing the stairs without even getting winded. Great exercise to help keep the pounds off while you are indulging in the exceptional pastries Paris has to offer. Cecile, the owner, does a great job of furnishing everything you need. The check in and reservation process was a breeze. She also leaves you with a guide which we found very helpful when we had questions from how to turn on the stove to how to navigate around the city. This guide was very comprehensive and informative and really helped us enjoy our stay. I would highly recommend this apartment to you.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent apartment, well located, well equipped, great service in general.

Guest: torre (Mexico)
Date of Stay: 10/31/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

We stayed 9 nights at this apartment and the complete experience was excellent!!! All you need for a great vacation in Paris is included in the apartment and the small details make all the difference. Details such as well written instructions for every single appliance, detailed information of services nearby, and even umbrella, guides of Paris in English, etc, etc, etc. Overall my best experience staying in Europe!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

HORRIBLE!

Guest: luxtravel (seattle)
Date of Stay: 09/16/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

My husband and I planned our 10th anniversary trip to Paris for nearly a year. Having never been to Paris, I researched for countless hours, asked friends opinions, read blogs, etc. I decided to pick this apt. based on location (which is good) and overall appeal (I like to sleep in a place that's at least as nice as my own, hopefully better). I could not have made a worse decision. We arrived at Cecile's St. Germain apartment to find scaffolding covering our bedroom window and loud construction (anything but romantic). You literally had to walk through construction to get to the door and then upon entering and climbing four flights of stairs, it was dirty (extremely dusty from plaster and hard to breathe), smelled (one of the tenants left a bag of trash in front of their door for our entire 10 day stay) and there were literally men staring into our bedroom window every single day. I immediately wrote Cecile and told her of our disappointment. I asked if she had any other units available and if not how we could remedy the situation (like in a hotel where we would leave immediately). She offered a bottle of champagne and 30% off our NEXT visit to Paris. What??! We have two young children and this was a trip of a lifetime, we will not be going back to Paris any time soon, and certainly won't be staying here! It literally put a dark cloud on our trip every day. It was horrible to wake up to and an awful way to end the day. I would NEVER rent this apartment again nor would I ever do business with Cecile Apartments. Also to note, we have written her several times to try and rectify this situation. All of which have gone ignored. I have many, many pictures of how the place actually is. Feel free to contact me to see it. (I'd post if it let me)

Owner response:Hello Kristie, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay at the apartment, but I think it's not a reason to be excessive in your review either. I answered EVERY email you sent. I also had a bottle of Champagne delivered at the apartment for you to compensate your disappointment, and when we came, 4 days after your arrival, there was NO PLASTER, NOR GARBAGE in the communal parts. I understand you were disturbed by the scaffolding which is beyond my control unfortunately, but it was NOT NOISY since it was simply an access to the roof, and in front on only one over 4 windows in the apartment, and not in the living area of the apartment. This was a temporary issue, and unfortunately you couldn't think about anything else than that during your stay, but I'm happy to note that you didn't make any criticism about the apartment itself which I'm sure you would have done if it hasn't been clean and well maintained.

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Cozy, comfortable and conveniently-located.

Guest: CSquared_GO_LEAFS (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/25/11 Review Submitted: 09/11/11

We thoroughly enjoyed Cecile's apartment. It is well located in the heart of St. Germain, and close to a number of Metro stops (Odeon, Mabillion) and RER stations (Luxembourg about 10 min walk). There are a number of good restaurants nearby, as well as supermarkets within easy walking distance. The apartment has a binder that outlines what is nearby. It is within walking distance of many of the major attractions along the Seine and lively streets in St. Germain area. We would recommend spending some time to understand the Paris Metro and RER system as this is a very easy and convenient way to get around the city. The apartment is cozy and comfortable for two and maybe a stretch for more (there is a sofa bed available). The ceilings are about 7 ft high. Bathroom is modern and clean, with a shower. All the windows open and because the apartment is a corner unit, there is ample cross breezes available. Air conditioning worked very well when we used it. The windows are also very good at insulating the apartment from the road noise (and it is noisy in central Paris, with its narrow streets). Kitchen appliances are modern, with a stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer. We did not use the dishwasher, washer or dryer so cannot comment on their effectiveness. Small appliances (coffee maker, kettle), cutlery, pots, pans and dishes are all modern and clean. There were a few noticeable cracks in the drywall, but this did not diminish our experience. The one thing you should keep in mind is that this apartment is on the 4th floor (European floors) and there is no elevator. So, you must navigate a winding, wonky staircase. Not a big deal for our daily excursions, except for bringing your luggage up to the apartment the first day. Cecile was very responsive via email throughout our planning. Payment was easy to complete, using a secure online payment site. Her responses throughout the process were very clear and the check-in / check-out procedures were easy to follow. Overall, our experience was very positive and we would rent from her again. We would also recommend her properties to our friends. It definitely felt like we had our very own Parisian home.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind review Conrad. I'm happy you enjoyed the apartment that much and hope to welcome you again soon! Best regards, Cecile

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Location: Stlyish and Clean!

Guest: Davispeets (Davis, California )
Date of Stay: 10/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

I want to echo the positive reviews for Cecile’s St. Germain Lux Garden Apartment. We stayed for 10 nights at the end of October. The apartment was very comfortable, clean, and stylish. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it if you want this location and a walk up apartment isn’t an issue for you. The rental process was extremely easy -- secure website to pay using VISA and the security deposit was just your CC details. All of our interaction was via e-mail. I choose this apartment because I wanted to be near the Luxembourg Gardens (It closed at 6:15 pm each night) and try the 6th (Previously, we stayed in the Marais in the 4th) and the pictures & décor of this particular apt. looked so nice. There were no surprises between the pictures presented on the website and the actual apartment. The only thing different from what I had visualized was that the ceilings were lower than I expected – but looking at the pictures I can see they are properly represented. (And, they were not too low, just not what I imagined.) All appliances, water pressure, plumbing were very good. We were warm and never needed to turn on the heater (or AC) – we opened the windows to cool down the apartment. Plenty of dishes and pots and pans (but no measuring utensils – such as tablespoon/cup measurements). We purchased and left a coffee scoop behind – we kept making coffee too weak trying to guess with a spoon. We hardly needed to use the metro from this location. Things I Care About: Wifi: Flawless! Fast and worked everywhere in the apartment. Bed: Mattress Super comfortable! We were hot sleeping – there is a covered duvet only (i.e., no top sheet). The bedroom is a nice size and it was good that the bathroom was separated from the bedroom in case one person was sleeping. Shower: Nice and good water pressure. Stairs: The stairs were not difficult for us (46 & 51) I might have slowed down for very last flight. Stereo: The station was set on 105.1 FM (FIP) and we loved it! Lots of variety – no commercials (public radio). We will listen at home with online streaming. There is a separate washer and dryer which was nice. We used the driver service for airport pickup (we were worried about the strikes and gas shortage). It was nice – he was waiting for us and we only walked a few steps after getting our bags to the waiting Mercedes. And, he carried my bag up the stairs. Returning, we used Taxi G7 (easy – they knew the apartment location and had the phone numb

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Patti Levin (Boston, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 01/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/18/10

My husband and I rented Cécile's lovely apartment for December '09 while he took cooking classes during his month sabbatical. It was a perfect place for us on many levels: ideally located near the Metro, wonderful walking everywhere with abundant shops and the Luxembourg Gardens down the street, a fabulous pâtisserie across the street, lovely restaurants, cafés and brasseries nearby. Inside the apartment we loved the incredibly comfortable king size bed - a rarity in Europe, the flat screen TV for our DVDs, great closet space, terrific bathroom quite contemporary with a great shower and glass sink. The kitchen was well-supplied and worked well for our Christmas dinner with two other people. Very comfy, very tasteful, fabulous location. The fourth floor view was fun and despite lots of activity below at times, noise never penetrated the windows. Cécile was incredibly generous with her advice, and provided practically concierge service when we asked (arranging transportation to/from airport including having our heavy suitcases carried up/down the stairs). We would definitely return and recommend it highly to everyone!

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Guest: Sara Blinn (Los Angeles CA)
Date of Stay: 11/25/09 Review Submitted: 11/25/09

The location of this apartment is absolutely perfect! We were there for 9 days and did not take the metro or a taxi once! It is also a very nice size for Paris. It was really handy to have wireless internet and a washer & dryer. If you're from the US, make sure you take a converter for the electrical outlets. I would definitely recommend Cecile's lovely flat to anyone!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/20/09 Review Submitted: 11/20/09

Our stay in the Luxembourg apartment was wonderful. We loved being so close to everything yet this neighborhood was not crowded. The views and sounds of the city only added to our stay. We were not disappointed with anything- Thank you Cecile!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/12/09 Review Submitted: 10/12/09

My sister and I just had a lovely stay in the Rue Tournon apartment! The location is perfect - everything you need is within five minutes walk from the apartment. Cecile takes meticulous care of the place. It is clean, well-decorated and full of amenities. Even all the appliances are labeled with directions! The rental process is extremely easy and well organized. We cannot wait to return to Paris, and we now know that there is a very reliable and wonderful alternative to being in a hotel!

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Guest: Jean & Richard1 (Arlington, TX)
Date of Stay: 09/26/09 Review Submitted: 09/26/09

We've just returned from a two-week stay at Cecile's St. Germain apartment. It was everything we hoped it would be...just as shown online with no unwelcome surprises. The double-paned windows and the air conditioning were invaluable in late August (& possibly other times, as the street noise would have made it difficult to sleep with the windows open.) The location is perfect, the amenities complete, & even the 84 steps to the apartment are manageable if you're in relatively good shape. (It helped justify the pastries from Gerard Mulot, just up the street!) Cecile was very easy to work with & answered my emails promptly. Having rented many times from vrbo, I can say this was one of the best experiences we've had!

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Guest: Judy43 (Melbourne Australia)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/01/09

Hello Cécile Just a quick note to thank you for everything you did for us whilst we were in Paris for the month of May 2009. We had a wonderful time 'pretending' we were Parisians :)We've rented apartments in Paris before and some experiences have been disappointing. This time your personal, calm, professional, warm, considerate attention made all the difference to our stay. For this we are very grateful, you actually made us feel very welcome. Being near the Jardins du Luxembourg, the markets, St Germain and the special Sunday organique markets on Boulevarde Raspail suited us very well and gave me the opportunity to continue 'trying' to speak french. I've even started up a little online french community this week to stay connected with 'all things french'. I'd love you to join ;) We also loved being near Le Comptoir at Odeon ,La cremerie and the wonderful patiserie just accross the road... Ahhh Paris!We will definitely stay in one of your apartments next time we come to Paris and already we have been referring people from Australia to you.All the bestJudyAustralia

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Guest: Paul Campo (Vista, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/29/09

Dear Cecile, Your apartment is easily one of the loveliest I have stayed while visiting Paris. I loved the open floor plan, with the privacy of the bedroom. The view of the neighborhood was gorgeous, and the dual-paned windows kept out all of the sounds. The location in the 6th cannot be beaten. I was only five minutes' walk from the Deux Magots! I walked about 200 meters from the front door to buy artisinal chocolates. Another major plus is the being close to Metro 4 (purple) at St. Germain, and Metro 10 (khaki) at Mabillon and Odeon. I hope others who visit will have as much fun as I did. Best regards, Paul

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Guest: Jane and Yvan Hardy (Ottawa, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 06/28/09 Review Submitted: 06/28/09

Yvan and I stayed in this apartment for ten days. We go to Paris often and have a lot of experience with accommodation. This is the best we have found for the price. It is in a excellent location, one block from the Luxembourg Gardens, just far enough away from the most touristy part of the 6th. The apartment is well-designed with all the amenities -- a washer, a dryer, stove, oven, dishwasher and fridge. It is a corner apartment which means you have great city views from the three double opening windows. There is air conditioning so you can close the windows at night and have no noise from the street. The apartment has all the electronics you need, a king size bed and a well appointed bathroom -- no bath though if you care about that. The owner gives you all the instructions and is on call if you have a problem. She speaks English is you need that. The apartment is close to shopping, cafes and restaurants. You need to note there are four short flights of stairs --- which is only a bit of a problem when you bring up your suitcases. Otherwise, it is fine unless you have difficulty with stairs. The apartment is really charming, romantic and it had everything we needed. There is a really good food market close by with two fishmongers, a butcher, fruits and vegetables, a wine shop -- everything you need to make breakfasts and dinners in the apartment. There is an excellent baker (Gerard Mulot) on the corner that sells marvelous baguettes, pastries, desserts and fully prepared meals if you don't feel like cooking. All of this is just as good as a restaurant and much less expensive. If you really want to feel like a Parisian, this is the way to go -- much better than a hotel.

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Guest: Robin and Warren Adams (Spokane, Washington, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/09 Review Submitted: 05/29/09

Cecile was very helpful in answering all our questions before and after we made our reservation for two weeks in March of 2009. The entire process was pleasant. The apartment was wonderful having all the amenities of home as well as being quiet and restful. The location was superb in reference to restaurants, pastry shops (Gerard Mulet is so close and incredible-quiches for breakfast), shopping, cafes, Luxembourg Gardens, the Seine and the Metro can take you anywhere. We cannot wait to stay there on our next visit to Paris. Thank you so much Cecile.

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Guest: Joseph Gamble (Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/11/09 Review Submitted: 05/11/09

The apartment was an excellent choice for our recent week long stay in Paris in April. A totally different, and in my opinion, far superior experience to staying in a hotel. Centrally located in the very cool St. Germain arrondisement, the apartment was close to excellent shopping, food markets and famous cafes and restaurants. We loved the flexibility of going out and buying fresh food and then cooking romantic meals (with French wine) in the apartment. The Odeon metro was a short three minute walk and walking to Notre Dame usually took less than 20 minutes. If you stick your head out one window, you can see the gateway to Luxembourg Gardens while the other window looks down the street to the famous Saint Sulpice church. The apartment itself was ideal as it was renovated last year. New appliances, fresh paint and a comfortable couch and bed and large screen LCD. Cecile was very easy to deal with, both in booking the apartment from the states and then answering questions after our arrival. The check in and check out process was painless. I would highly recommend the Paris apartment experience and I would also recommend Cecile and any of her listings. We are already talking of returning to Paris and staying again at one of her residences.

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Guest: Joseph4 (San Ramon, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/06/09 Review Submitted: 04/06/09

The St. Germain Luxembourg apartment was a fantastic place to stay for our week in Paris. Very close to two Metro stations and in the middle of a wonderful neighborhood full of restaurants, cafes and markets. The apartment itself was clean and comfortable, and featured a lot of amenities, many of which we didn't have time to use! Finding a universal travel adapter under the TV was a pleasant surprise, since I had brought the wrong power converter for my laptop. We absolutely loved having this apartment as a "home base" during our time in the city. Our favorites nearby within easy walking distance: Pierre Herme pastry shop at 72 Rue Bonaparte; Laduree pastry shop and restaurant at 21 Rue Bonaparte; Fish La Boissonerie restaurant at 69 Rue de Seine. (Obviously we miss the food in Paris the most!) The only minor inconvenience is the fourth floor location without an elevator/lift. Carrying two large suitcases up the stairs at the beginning of our stay and down the stairs at the end was a lot of exercise, and climbing the stairs at the end of a long day of walking/sightseeing was a bit daunting. But otherwise we had a splendid trip and whleheartedly recommend this apartment to anyone. Thanks, Cecile!!

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Guest: Steven12 (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/09 Review Submitted: 02/04/09

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at the St Germain apartment. It is beautifully decorated and has everything that we could have wanted to make our stay as comfortable as possible. Also, the location is perfect for exploring the neighborhood and the rest of the city. We absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a truly special way to experience life in Paris. Thank you for helping to make our trip so wonderful. We will certainly stay in St Germain when we return.

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Guest: Jeanette Jones and John Nikiforuk (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

We arrived back in Canada after a really memorable trip to Paris including a wonderful week’s stay at Cecile’s apartment in Paris. The booking, check-in, and check-out were very simple and easy to follow. We chose to take the train from the airport, and it was so easy with the metro being in such a close proximity to the apartment.We were two friends sharing the apartment and the extra space and comfort of the beautiful apartment was hand over heels a great decision for us. We were also blessed with a week of dry, warm and sun-filled days to explore the city and its many sights, including spectacular clothes shopping! The décor was beautiful, the information booklet was extremely helpful and the location could not be have been better, particularly the views from our gorgeous french windows looking down onto the street below.Cafes and bars were so convenient and the apartment was in easy walking distance to explore many of Paris' tourist attractions. We loved being able to walk everywhere and also loved that our apartment was close to a fabulous bakery and around the corner from a wonderful cheese store. We will definitely recommend this apartment to our friends and family. The choice to stay in an apartment rather than an hotel was definitely the right choice for us. We had a fantastic time in Paris and the apartment was absolutely superb. I look forward to returning there in near future, next time with my husband.

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Guest: Angela18 (Canfield, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/10/08 Review Submitted: 09/10/08

Our stay in Paris was one week's time. The apartment's location is wonderful! Close to Saint Germain and many local restaurants. This was our second time in Paris and we loved this location because it is was accessible to so many nearby shops, restaurants and art galleries, just 5 minutes away. I would defintely recommend this apartment to anyone going to Paris that wants to feel at home in the city of lights. It was a very comfortable place to stay. Thank you!! and we hope to stay with you again!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/08/08 Review Submitted: 09/08/08

A very well designed and comfortable apartment in a great location.

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Guest: Michelle 7 (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 07/27/08 Review Submitted: 07/27/08

This apartmwnt was a fabulous home base for us during our trip to Paris. Bright, clean, brand-new, and well-equipped, this was a perfect home away from home for our family. It has a washer and dryer and a dishwasher which made caring for our infant as easy as if we were in our own home. The apartment is lacated near St. Germain and thus all kinds of shops and restaurants. And the view from the apartment onto the lively streets of Paris was likewise superb. We would definitely stay here again.

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