Paris Vacation Apartments Review: Two Stays Later

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Why I Chose Paris Vacation Apartments

Whenever I visit Paris, I prefer staying in an apartment rather than a hotel. For me, travel is about experiencing a place that makes me feel like I live there rather than visit it. I want to shop at the local market, pick up a few groceries, enjoy a tea in the same café each morning, and settle into the rhythm of a neighbourhood. An apartment gives me the comforts of home while making me feel less like a visitor and more like a temporary resident.

Another reason I chose Paris Vacation Apartments was their collection of apartments in some of the best neighbourhoods in central Paris. Whether you prefer the Left Bank or the Right Bank, their properties are located in areas that place you within walking distance of many of the city’s most iconic sights while still feeling connected to everyday Parisian life. From Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Luxembourg area to Palais Royal and neighbourhoods near the Louvre, their portfolio focuses on locations I would happily recommend to travellers.

For this stay, I chose their Saint-Germain Studio in the 7th arrondissement. The location appealed to me immediately. Not only was it situated on one of my favourite streets in Paris, but it also offered excellent value compared to many hotels or other vacation rentals in the area. Having a kitchenette and a small living space made it particularly attractive for a longer stay.

What ultimately convinced me to book again was my previous experience with Paris Vacation Apartments. I had stayed with them before and enjoyed both the apartment and the neighbourhood so much that I returned and booked the same apartment for a full week. That says more than any review I could write. In a city with thousands of accommodation options, I chose to come back.

Quick Verdict

This review is based on my experience staying in the Saint-Germain Studio apartment through Paris Vacation Apartments. While the company offers a variety of apartments across Paris, my comments below reflect this specific apartment and location.

Pros

• Excellent Saint-Germain-des-Prés location
• Quiet courtyard setting away from street noise
• Thoughtful personal touches, including fresh flowers and a welcome gift of local biscuits and chocolates
• Walkable neighbourhood with cafés, shops, markets, and major attractions nearby
• Well-equipped kitchenette
• Washer/dryer
• Feels more like living in Paris than staying in a hotel

Cons

• A small studio layout may feel cramped for some travellers, but it was comfortable travelling alone in Paris
• Limited natural light due to the courtyard-facing windows
• No elevator, but this was on the 1st floor (which is two flights of stairs)

Best For

• Couples looking for a neighbourhood experience
• Solo travellers who value location and comfort
• Slow travellers staying a few nights
• First-time apartment renters in Paris who want support and personal service

My Verdict: I would stay here again. The location, quiet setting, and feeling of living in one of Paris’s most desirable neighbourhoods outweighed the apartment’s small size and limited natural light.

Inside the Saint-Germain Studio

The Living Space

Push open the glossy red door and step into the Saint-Germain Studio, a compact Paris apartment tucked away in one of my favourite neighbourhoods. The studio is small, but thoughtfully designed to make the most of the space. Whitewashed walls, exposed wooden ceiling beams, and a mirrored wall with gilded trim give it a classic Parisian feel while helping the room feel larger than it actually is.

A velvet loveseat provides a comfortable place to relax after a day of exploring, while a small bistro table offers enough space for breakfast, a glass of wine, or planning the next day’s adventures. The queen-size bed is tucked into a sleeping alcove, creating a separate space for sleeping without sacrificing the apartment’s open layout.

While travellers looking for a spacious apartment may find it small, I found it worked well for a solo traveller or couple who planned to spend most of their time out exploring Paris. After all, the real living room is the city itself.

Kitchen and Dining Area

One of the biggest advantages of staying in an apartment rather than a hotel is having access to a kitchen. While compact, the kitchenette included everything I needed for a longer stay in Paris.

There was a European-size refrigerator, microwave, two-burner glass cooktop, French press coffee maker, and Nespresso machine. The cupboards were stocked with dishes, utensils, wine glasses, and all the basic kitchen essentials needed to prepare simple meals.

I rarely cook elaborate meals when travelling, but I appreciated having the option to enjoy breakfast in the apartment, store market purchases, and assemble a simple dinner after a busy day sightseeing. It made the apartment feel more like a temporary home than a place to simply sleep.

Bathroom and Amenities

The bathroom was one of the surprises of the apartment. Given the size of the studio, I expected a small bathroom, but it was actually quite spacious and modern.

A large walk-in shower provided plenty of room, and a full set of L’Occitane toiletries added a nice touch. For travellers staying more than a few days, one of the most valuable amenities was the washer/dryer combination unit. Being able to do laundry during the trip allowed me to pack lighter and made a week-long stay much more comfortable.

These practical details may not be glamorous, but they can make a significant difference when you’re travelling for an extended period.

Security, Access, and Practical Details

The apartment is located within a quiet interior courtyard accessed through two separate coded security doors, providing an added sense of security and privacy. To reach the apartment, I crossed the courtyard, climbed a spiral staircase, and walked across a small footbridge leading to the entrance.

Because the apartment faces the courtyard rather than the street, it remains remarkably quiet despite being in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I rarely heard city noise, which made it easy to relax and sleep well at night.

The trade-off is that the apartment receives limited natural light and can feel somewhat dark during the day. Travellers should also be aware that there is no elevator, and the staircase may be challenging for those with mobility concerns or heavy luggage.

One unexpected detail I came to enjoy was sharing the courtyard with one of Paris’s most famous cheese shops. On some mornings, there was a faint scent of cheese drifting through the courtyard, a small reminder that I was living in the middle of a real Paris neighbourhood rather than a tourist district.

What It’s Like Staying in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

For me, the greatest strength of this apartment wasn’t the apartment itself. It was the neighbourhood.

Located on Rue Grenelle near Rue du Bac, the apartment sits in one of the most desirable parts of Paris. This is a street where daily life still feels very local despite being in the heart of the city. Each morning, I stepped outside and found everything I needed within a few blocks.

Rue du Bac is lined with specialty food shops and independent businesses. Florists are overflowing with seasonal blooms, traditional butchers, fishmongers, wine merchants, artisanal chocolatiers, and gourmet food stores. Rather than feeling like a tourist district filled with souvenir shops, it feels like a neighbourhood where Parisians go about their daily routines.

One of my favourite rituals was walking down the street in the morning to pick up a croissant before settling in at Café Varenne. Over the course of a week, I found myself falling into familiar patterns. I returned to the same cafés, browsed the same shop windows, and stopped at local food stores on my way back to the apartment. It was the kind of routine that’s difficult to create when staying in a hotel.

The location also offered the best of both worlds. The street itself felt calm and residential, but within minutes, I could be walking along Boulevard Saint-Germain, browsing bookstores, sitting at a café terrace, or wandering through some of Paris’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.

For travellers who enjoy exploring a city on foot, this location is hard to beat. Many days I left the apartment in the morning and didn’t use public transportation at all.

What I Could Reach on Foot

One of the reasons I enjoyed this apartment so much was its walkability. Many of the places I visit repeatedly in Paris were within easy walking distance.

Within minutes, I could reach Boulevard Saint-Germain, one of the city’s most famous streets, lined with cafés, restaurants, and historic landmarks. Saint-Sulpice and its beautiful fountain square were also nearby, as was the Luxembourg Gardens, one of my favourite places for an early morning stroll.

The Left Bank’s cultural attractions were equally accessible. The Musée d’Orsay, Rodin Museum, and Hôtel des Invalides were all within a comfortable walk, making it easy to visit without planning an entire day around transportation.

When I wanted to shop, Le Bon Marché and La Grande Épicerie were only a few blocks away. Even if I wasn’t buying anything, I often found myself wandering through simply to admire the displays and soak up the atmosphere.

And whenever I needed a break, the Seine was close enough for an evening walk. Some of my favourite moments in Paris are often the simplest ones: crossing a bridge, sitting by the river, or wandering without a destination. Staying in Saint-Germain made those moments part of everyday life.

The Personal Service Experience

One of the things that stood out to me about Paris Vacation Apartments was the level of personal service they provide. While apartment rentals offer more independence than a hotel, that doesn’t mean you’re left entirely on your own.

From the time I booked, communication was clear and responsive. Each guest is assigned a dedicated contact person who speaks both English and French. Upon arrival, I was personally greeted, shown around the apartment, and given an overview of everything I needed to know for my stay. Knowing there was a local contact available if questions arose provided peace of mind, particularly for travellers unfamiliar with Paris.

The welcome was also thoughtful and personal. Fresh flowers were waiting in the apartment along with local biscuits and chocolates, small touches that immediately made the space feel welcoming after a long journey.

One of the advantages of staying in an apartment is the balance between independence and comfort. Unlike a hotel, you have space to spread out, prepare simple meals, do laundry, and settle into a neighbourhood. You aren’t sharing hallways with hundreds of other guests or following hotel schedules. At the same time, you do give up some conveniences such as daily housekeeping, room service, and on-site amenities. For me, the trade-off is worthwhile, especially for stays of couple nights or longer.

During my stay, I also had the opportunity to speak with the owner. One thing that struck me was how many repeat guests return to the same apartments year after year. In many ways, I became one of them. After enjoying my first stay, I returned and booked the same apartment again for a full week.

I understand the appeal. Once you’ve found an apartment and neighbourhood that suits your travel style, there is a certain comfort in knowing exactly what to expect. You know the location, the nearby cafés, the grocery stores, the walking routes, and how the apartment functions. That familiarity removes uncertainty and allows you to settle into Paris more quickly.

To me, the number of repeat guests says a great deal about Paris Vacation Apartments. In a city filled with accommodation choices, many travellers choose to return not only to the company but often to the very same apartment. That’s a testament to both the quality of the experience and the confidence travellers have in what they’re booking.

Why Returning Matters in Paris

Paris is one of those cities that rewards returning. The first visit is often about seeing the landmarks. The visits that follow become more about neighbourhoods, favourite cafés, familiar streets, and finding your own routines.

I suspect that’s one reason so many guests return to the same apartments. They aren’t simply returning to a place to sleep. They’re returning to a version of Paris that already feels familiar.

Whether you choose an apartment, boutique hotel, or luxury property, where you stay has a significant impact on how you experience the city. The right neighbourhood can shape your mornings, influence what you discover on foot, and determine whether Paris feels rushed or memorable.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris and need help deciding where to stay, how long to stay, or how to build an itinerary that makes sense, I can help.

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