Pick a Flat - Residence Faubourg Saint Martin

We were later than usual making our Paris apartment arrangements and that provided us with an opportunity to explore a different arrondissement from those with which we are more familiar. The neighborhood was charming, culturally diverse and a joy to visit. Same French spoken on the street but different, spicier smells coming from the cafes. Canal Saint-Martin, a short walk away, is an absolute joy to experience. The apartment was easy to access, clean and safe but it was smaller than we expected, especially the bathroom. Where we usually plan at least one evening at "home" to just chill and maybe prepare a simple meal this apartment was not the place to do that. It is a fine place to rest (comfortable, firm bed) and leave your clothes but it is more of a way-station than an extension of home. We have to mention the bathroom. It is an add-on in the corner between the kitchen and the living room and the entrance to the sink/toilet/shower was very narrow. If you are an XXL guy you are going to have difficulty with the bathroom. Beyond that, the shower is the smallest we have ever encountered in a rental. Barely enough room to turn around in. You could wash yourself but must exit the shower to dry off. There was no shower caddy or shelving so soaps and shampoos had to be placed on the floor of the shower and you had to squat to reach them. We did find the support staff helpful and quick to respond.

It was a nice apartment that had all the necessary amenities. There are a lot of restaurants around. Generally better for a younger group.

Lots of metro stations close by. Good coffee and brunch spots within a couple of minutes walk too. Apartment is within a courtyard so no noise from the Main Street and was quiet at night. Never saw the canal so it’s not that close! Plenty of food options nearby in a very multicultural neighbourhood. Checkin would have been less stressful if instructions had mentioned it’s located in staircase C (there’s an A and a B with the same access code). Main qualm was it should have been cleaner. Wasn’t dirty but bathroom wasn’t smelling of roses or bleach for that matter. Some cobwebs were clearly visible in the lounge. Enough storage for longer stays but kitchen is basic. Some visible wear and tear throughout that could do with fixing. But it was OK in the end for our 5 nights.

Nice small apartment, easy metro ride from the city center. The neighborhood is, as they say, ‘bubu’, very diverse and lots of stuff happening.

Apartment was overall good with a some room for improvement What was good: Bed - great mattress Property - quiet Location - close to metro, shops and restaurants What can be improved: Bathroom - more hangers for towels Toilet - seat needs to be fixed