This Ile St. Louis apartment is spectacular

Guest: Allen (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/06/12 Review Submitted: 01/18/12

We enjoyed 5 nights in this wonderful flat. The location is excellent, an easy walk to everything important in Paris. The garden is lovely for its scenery even if it is too cold out to use (we were there in early January). The flat is quiet, clean and well maintained and the wifi worked flawlessly as did the TV. The split bathrooms mean that you will never have bathroom lineups! The neighbourhood is quiet and classy. All your food and wine shopping needs are within a few steps and there are interesting shops and galleries at every turn. There is a good Nespresso machine but you should bring your favourite brew as I was unable to find any nearby. I can't wait to return! Allen

Owner response:Dear Allen, Thank you for your lovely review and your patience. Your were my nicest host ever!!!Please do come any time. You will be greeted in the best possible way. Kind regards. Alina

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.

Perfect Paris apartment and location

Guest: Lynn (Boston)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

We found the apartment everything we had hoped from the description. It was very clean, attractive and the garden a delightful place for breakfast and dinner. The kitchen is well equipped, laundry, supplies WI-FI and bedrooms made our stay comfortable and relaxing. As we were out all day, coming home to the apartment for an evening meal in the garden made our visit even more relaxing as well as saving money at restaurants in the evening. Of course the location is unbeatable, but this apartment provided a home-y retreat to which we hope to return. We thank Alina as well as Hansel, the caretaker, for taking such good care of us.

Owner response:Dear Lynn, Thank you for this lovely review. It was a pleasure to have you and your party enjoy our place and taking such good care of it. Thank you for choosing us and please come again. Our home is your home. Kind regards. Alina

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Lovely Ile St. Louis

Guest: Maureen Ellis (Binghamton, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

We recently returned from a stay in Paris and this apartment was perfect. The location is central to all of the main museums and sites in Paris. We had several days of 90 degree heat and even without air conditioning the apartment was very comfortable. The outside terrace is a pleasure and a fine place to enjoy your morning croissant from the nearby boulangerie. The island itself is charming and has many cafes and shops to explore. Alina was wonderful to work with and always answered any questions right away. The check in and out went very smoothly. Our only regret is that we could not stay longer. This would be my choice of a place to stay when I return to Paris.

Owner response:Dear Maureen, Thank you again Maureen for your consideration, your kindness. and treating our apartment as it was yours. Your lovely review goes right to my heart Come again as soon as possible. Alina -----

Recommended for:

My month in Paris

Guest: Susan (New York)
Date of Stay: 04/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

I thought it would be a great experience to live in Paris for a month as a Parisian would. I didn't want to stay in a hotel so I started searching for apartments to rent; once I found Alina's apartment on Ile Saint Louis, nothing else I found could compare. The furnishings are comfortable, the kitchen is fully stocked, and the 3 sets of french doors that open onto the garden really make the garden feel like another room. The location is convenient to all sightseeing destinations, and the local shops provided all the provisions you could need. Dinners outside under the awning with friends are just a few of the memories I'll always have. Alina is a gracious host and responded to my many emails and answered my questions quickly. The apartment is really a treasure and I wouldn't stay anywhere else on any future visits I make to Paris.

Owner response:Dear Susan, Having you in our Parisian paradise was great!!! You are such a considerate and nice guest.. Our home is your home, so please come again anytime. You will always be welcome to your Parisian home. I am so happy you enjoyed your stay as we enjoy each of our stays in this heaven of beauty and confort. Thank you for expressing your appreciation

Recommended for:

Remembering this lovely apartment from last year's stay

Guest: amh (Nashville, TN USA)
Date of Stay: 02/14/10 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

I was so busy when we returned home after our stay in Paris I never wrote a review of what a lovely property this is and what a gracious hostess Alina was. We stayed there exactly a year ago and it made a special trip really wonderful. My mother and I took my niece to Paris on her winter break as a graduation gift. We were waylaid by a winter storm but Alina was so helpful and accommodating in changing dates by a few days because of the weather. We arrived on a Sunday morning and easily checked in. Everything was clean and lovely. Having the extra room was nice as we 3 were able to spread out and each have our own space. It was February so we were not able to enjoy the patio but it is nicely done. The apartment was cozy and there is a wonderful bakery/boulangerie (green front) a few steps away. Every morning we had wonderful treats from the bakery, good fruit from the market and coffee. The Ile St. Louis is my favorite place to stay in Paris as it has the feeling of a small French village in the middle of the bustle of the city. Lots of excellent restaurants and shops just outside the door. The apartment is on the ground floor so the front bedroom does face the street but it was still pretty quiet. I had the master bath and it has a nice deep tub with lots of hot water. This was a joy to come back to after walking around in the cold and to have a relaxing bath every evening. The apartment is very spacious and we had lots of room to spread out. Even now I'm remembering what a lovely stay we had and how much we enjoyed the apartment. Thank you again for sharing your lovely home and helping to make this special trip one my niece will remember for a lifetime.

Owner response:Dear Amy, What a nice surprise!!! It is wonderful to hve news from you in such a lovely way on Valentine Day!!! Thank you so much for those kind thoughts. It makes me feel so good that you enjoyed our home in Paris. To tell you the truth I am enjoying the apartment with my twin sons right at this moment. We came for my birthday and are having a wonderful time. Paris and the island are particularly beautiful at this time of the year and nothing is crowded, so we could make a lot of different interesting things. Now back home, it is really a treat to enjoy tea in front of illuminated garden, before entering in a hot bath and relax. The apartment is so confortable and cosy. I am so happy here, and so happy to be able to share it with guests that enjoy it and appreciate it as much as I do. Thank you for choosing our home as your pied-à-terre in Paris, and Vive la France !!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Perfection!

Guest: Megan H. (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 10/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/16/10

My boyfriend and I were so grateful to find Alina's apartment, and to rent it for six days in October to celebrate his 40th b.day party. Alina was a gracious, direct host to work with. The apartment was decorated with impeccable taste and style, while being absolutely comfortable and cozy. The contrast of the serene apartment, and beautiful garden, with the bustling street outside was a perfect counterpoint. The location could not be better, and we got to know our neighborhood very well. The moon at night on the Ile st. Louis as you look out over the Seine is a very romantic experience. Thank you Alina, for helping to make this celebration possible!

Owner response:Dear Truly, Thank you for your so graceful review. It was a pleasure that you chose our apartment to celebrate such a joyful event. I am happy that I could bring a tiny contribution to your happiness. Again a big thank you for your visit in Paris. And please, do come again. Sincerely. Alina

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Twelve Magical Days for a Family of Four on l'Ile Sainte-Louis

Guest: CKS (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/07/10

In every respect, this apartment was superb. Fernan was present when we arrived and explained how everything worked. It was easily accessed, very safe and quiet. The interior was luxurious and comfortable, well laid-out, and every system was in good working order. The owner has furnished it with good dishes, cookware, linens, music and books. But the real jewel is the enclosed garden. Open to the sky and stars and visiting birds, it was a wonderful place to relax. Even on drizzly days, the electric awning offered broad protection and made it possible to be outside. Each morning we opened French doors between the living room and garden and sat at a marble table with coffee and extraordinary croissants from a boulangerie just steps away. The location is splendid. Metro, busses and taxis are very near. Just down the street are Notre Dame, the Seine, the most charming cafes, and distinctive shops. The Pompidou, The Louvre, The Picasso Museum, Shakespeare & Company, Sainte Chapelle, Jardin des Plantes – all are comfortable walks. You are in the rich, historic heart of the city. Fine restaurants are all around, but cooking-in became our choice. The kitchen was a pleasure with a large casement window that opened on the garden, so we cooks were never far from our company. We had beautiful dinner parties and finished with a different ice cream each night – famous Berthillon or the island’s equally delicious gelato. Everyone who stopped by found the place delightful, and we came home with priceless memories. Alina, thank you for sharing such a place.

Owner response:Dear Carolyn, The pleasure to share this place with you and your family was immense. Please do come again anytime. Our place will always welcome you and your family. Thank you for having made us the honor of your visit. Alina

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Outstanding accommodations.

Guest: Mike and Laura (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/28/10

Outstanding location, wonderfully spacious, and excellently maintained. This was our sixth trip to Paris, but the first time in an apartment and we would stay here again - in a heartbeat. Multiple Metro and bus stops were in easy walking distance (see hopstop.com) as were excellent restaurants on the island as well as in the 4th, 5th and 6th. Its easy to moderate the spending by using the multiple foodstores on the street - markets, fromageries, patisseries, boulangeries and wine stores. Appointments in the apartment were first class and the minor issues (lightbulbs and the like) were tended to instantly. We would strongly recommend this location and hope to return in the near future.

Owner response:Dear Mike, Dear Laura, Thank you for your lovely comment on our apartment and our beloved Island . We do hope you come again and feel grateful that you choose us for your stay in Paris.Sincerely. AV

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

Magnifique!

Guest: Alpin (Connecticut, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

Alina's apartment was exactly as advertised. Photos and description accurately reflect the property, which was spotless and equipped with every possible convenience. The Ile Saint-Louis is both wonderfully central (we walked everywhere!) and convenient, with restaurants, cafes, shops, markets (and views!) just steps away. But the best thing about this apartment is that you truly feel like a guest in a Parisian home. Unlike most rental apartments, which are strictly rentals and are cheaply and impersonally furnished, Alina's apartment is exquisitely decorated and filled with wonderful art, books and personal touches. The garden is a spectacular bonus. You should be aware that two rooms face the street but the Ile shuts down at night and the building and windows are completely soundproof; we were never bothered by noise from the street. The master bedroom, living room and dinng room face the garden. Alina was a pleasure to deal with, even trying to help us when we were stranded for a few days by the Icelandic volcano. I hated to leave and would be only too happy to return!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Special apartment in great Paris location

Guest: MTB Scotty K (Boston, MA, US)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

We spent 6 nights in April at Alina's apartment, and outside of being "stuck" in Paris (worse places to get stuck) due to the volcano in Iceland, it was a wonderful stay. The apartment is spacious with it's own garden. The garden is huge; you could have a rocking party or dinner there. The three bedrooms are average size for Europe, and the master is separated from the other bedrooms; nice for some privacy. The main bathroom is huge. The kitchen is well stocked. The decorations and furniture are mostly art deco or similar style and really add to the feel of the place. A couple of nit-picky points: the light in the dining area is minimal (but bright in the hallway), and there are no good knives for cutting. The neighborhood is really special, but gets crowded during the day. Berthillon ice cream is on the same street, and really popular. Great mix of restaurants, stores, and people. Convenient to most everything and multiple Metro starts. The island itself is beautiful. The owner, Alina, was very nice to work with, very professional. Her representative in Paris, Fernan, was really helpful. Overall, an excellent experience.

Owner response:Dear Scott, Forgive me if I did not answer your lovely comment before. I have been so busy with all my rentals lately but that is no excuse. I was so happy to meet you and have the pleasure to work with you and your family and friends. Please get stuck in Paris...Volcano or no Volcano again soon. Best wishes. Alina

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.