Short term rentals Paris: Paris Perfect apartment review

Hi France Travel Planners!  It had been ages since I had stayed in an apartment in Paris (because I prefer a hotel when I’m travelling alone), but when the team at Paris Perfect reached out and offered me an apartment for my recent Paris visit, I knew a Paris apartment stay was in order this time round.  Paris Perfect is one of many companies providing short term rentals in Paris, but read my Paris Perfect apartment review to find out why I think they are a great choice for Paris self catering apartments. 

Our day time view

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How to book a Paris Perfect apartment

Booking a Paris Perfect apartment is super easy.  You just go onto the Paris Perfect website, choose your favorite Paris Perfect apartment and book.  Once you have booked and paid for your apartment you will get sent a link to the client page where you can log in securely for all the information you need, as well as information you didn’t know you needed.  You also provide your arrival details so the team knows when to expect you (more about that later).

Our booking confirmation sheet included the exact address of our apartment, so we could start planning metro access etc, important info like the code to access the building, and all the instructions we needed to make our arrival easy for everyone.

There was a detailed arrondissement guide which included restaurants, shops, and services.  Rather helpfully it also included a small number of restaurants to avoid in the neighbourhood, and why.  Not many travel guides provide this sort of level of detail, and even though I know the 7th arrondissement quite well, it was a level of detail I appreciated.  I also definitely picked up a few tips!  There were also helpful links for a private car service, babysitting etc.

Arriving at our Paris Perfect apartment

Mr Frugalfirstclass and I were arriving into Paris from Brussels on a Friday afternoon.  As part of our confirmation process we had provided our train number and arrival time so the team knew exactly when to expect us.  Part of the arrival instructions were to call the Paris Perfect office once we were on our way from the station, so their greeter could meet us.  Our train was a little late, and the station was a zoo, so I was very grateful that team member Wesley had already called me to check on our progress and confirm a meeting time by the time we had got in our car.

Wesley was waiting for us directly outside the apartment as we arrived and greeted us warmly.  Our orientation to the apartment started immediately as Wesley showed us how to work the touchpad to access the building (most Paris apartment blocks have very secure locked doors that are accessed via a code rather than a key).  We already had the code written down on our confirmation which I had printed off ready.  Next was the locked door into the residential part of the building off the courtyard, which worked with a key.  

Traditional stairs up to the lift – the need to walk up these steps was clearly described on the Paris Perfect website

The lift (elevator) to our apartment on the 5th floor (6th floor US) was definitely on the petite size, even by Parisian standards, so Wesley took our bags up and then sent the lift down for us to follow him.

Wesley took us around the apartment and showed us where everything was and how to use all the appliances etc.  He also showed us the extensive documentation guides thoughtfully available, including contact numbers in emergencies and step by step instructions for the appliances, wifi code, and also a bound hard copy of the detailed arrondissement guide that was available on our client page.  We found the instructions for the washing machine and dishwasher very helpful references during our stay.

The entry foyer of our apartment. Lovely not to walk straight into the lounge like many apartments have in Paris

What is included in a Paris Perfect apartment?

Our Paris Perfect apartment had one bedroom, with a full bathroom, an ensuite shower room and a separate toilet with a handbasin.  There was plenty of loo paper, spare towels and bed linen, including multiple pillows.  We were both impressed with the full size bottles of shampoo, shower gel and body lotion in every bathroom, as well as the hand wash at each sink.

Our apartment had portable air conditioning units in both the bedroom and lounge/dining room.  I was a bit concerned as to how effective they would be, but they coped admirably even when the temperature hit 37C (100F) during our stay.  Unlike many hotels, all our windows opened to let in fresh air, including the French doors onto our little Eiffel Tower facing balcony.  The double glazing on the windows was very impressive at keeping out street and building courtyard noise.

Our kitchen was fully equipped, including a full size under bench oven and cook top – which in my experience is quite unusual in Paris rental apartments.  There was also a dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator/freezer.  We had plenty of crockery, cutlery, glasses and serving plates.  There were also plastic items suitable for young children as well as bowls, whisks, sharp knives and cutting boards all ready to cook up a storm.  In addition to a pod coffee machine, many American readers will appreciate reading there as also a drip coffee maker.  A front loading washer and separate dryer in a cupboard in the kitchen completed its amenities.

Our welcome pack in the kitchen included full sized bottles of orange juice, milk and white wine in our fridge as well as some coffee pods, tea bags, biscuits (cookies) and sugar.  We also had a generous supply of dishwasher tablets and two tablets for the washing machine.  Someone had also kindly frozen some ice cubes for us, which we appreciated in the hot June weather.

We had an iron and ironing board of course, but I was particularly thrilled to find a shopping jeep all ready for those vraiement français grocery shopping experiences.

There was a TV in both the lounge and bedroom.  In addition to a range of English language news channels (as well as tons of French ones of course), there was also Netflix for those with a log in.

Is it a good experience staying in a Paris Perfect apartment?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

We had originally not planned on spending much time in the apartment as we had a busy schedule planned with things to see and do and restaurants to eat in.  But because of the seriously hot weather, being in an apartment gave us the flexibility to change our plans in a way that just would not have been an option in a hotel.

Our dining table was plenty big enough for four

My close friend KB had come to Paris for the weekend, and we had booked a restaurant to have dinner with her on the Saturday night.  But the temperature was predicted to be well into the 30’sC (it ended up being 37C and was still 35C at 10pm) and none of us fancied a metro ride to a restaurant with no airconditioning.  So changing our plans and having dinner in the apartment was a no brainer.

Getting up early to avoid the hot weather, Mr Frugalfirstclass and I headed off with the shopping jeep to find the nearby President Wilson market, which I knew was open on Saturday.  Having never been there before I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was a fantastic, authentic French market, located a bare 10mins walk from our apartment.  We spent a fun time checking out all the stalls and deciding on our menu.  That’s the beauty of a French market – you can find plenty of fresh seasonal options to inspire your meal.  

With multiple butchers, fishmongers, cheese, fruit & veg, charcuterie and bakery stalls we were spoilt for choice.  After a complete reconnaissance we passed on the fish and the meat and settled on a rotisserie chicken (to eat cold in the evening), some heirloom tomatoes, a terrine en croute (terrine in a pastry shell) and a vegetable that had caught my eye without knowing what it was – wild asparagus.  

It was so much fun to browse the aisles and make our purchases.  We seemed to be the only tourists in the market (and there was a distinct lack of tourist stalls in this market) and the stallholders were very happy to help us with our choices.  At the fruit and veg stall the young woman patiently helped me choose which coloured heirloom tomatoes I wanted, and offered advice on how to cook the asparagus.  Staying in an apartment and cooking for yourself really is a cheap and pain free way to try foods you might not in a restaurant.

There was an excellent bakery only 5mins or so from the apartment (found courtesy of the arrondissement guide in the apartment), which had a supermarket a few doors down so having deposited our market finds in the fridge at the apartment we made a quick trip there next.  A raspberry tart and a baguette were picked up at the bakery, and we ducked into the supermarket for butter and wine.  We picked up a little pre-prepared cheese board we happened across (having not bought cheese in the market), as well as butter, cremant (French sparkling wine) and white wine.

Our dinner was organised all before it got too hot, and all local to the apartment – what staying in a Paris apartment should be all about.

Preparing our meal was easy.  There was literally everything we needed in the apartment to make a lovely dinner for ourselves and our guest, and make it easily.  Plenty of glassware (including champagne flutes and wine glasses), placemats for the table, serving bowls, sharp knives, saucepans etc.

We spent a lovely, relaxed evening with KB in air conditioned comfort – far better than if we had gone out.  Everything we ate was delicious, and KB was amazed at how we had gathered it together so easily.  Our pre-arranged entertainment of the Eiffel Tower lighting up and then twinkling at 11pm was an added bonus KB loved too.

Our free entertainment

Short term rentals Paris:  Paris Perfect apartment review in summary

Mr Frugalfirstclass and I were deeply impressed with our Paris Perfect apartment.  It was quiet, well located, and beautifully appointed.  The customer service throughout the entire booking and stay process, amenities and attention to detail exceeded our expectations.  Our property was comfortable, modern, well maintained and spotlessly clean.  The towels and linen were soft and good quality and the gels and lotions in the bathrooms were indulgent and smelled delicious.  There was plenty of hanging space in the wardrobe, with quality wooden hangers.

Queen sized bed

The building and apartment was extremely secure with two security doors between the outside and our front door, so solo female travellers should feel comfortable booking a Paris Perfect apartment based on our experience.  The lift really was tiny, so you will definitely find it easier to manage your luggage in and out if you choose not to take huge suitcases (but if you are a regular reader you know that is my normal European travel mantra anyway, regardless of where you are staying).

Depending on when you choose to stay, a Paris Perfect apartment is not a budget option, but it’s not designed to be – it is an immersive experience in the Parisian way of life in a safe, residential area of Paris with excellent amenities. If you are a couple wanting to spread out, or a family looking to cook for children, or just wanting to indulge your inner Parisian, Paris Perfect is an excellent choice for your Paris apartment rental.  Click here to book your Paris Perfect apartment.

Author’s note:  we booked the Calvados apartment located in the 7th arrondissement.  We were guests of Paris Perfect but our opinions are definitely our own.  All photos author’s own.