Summary: nice place other than a major flaw in no bedroom storage, which also is not clear from the photo as only one corner is pictured - and most people would assume something so basic would be in the apartment. It's like having a kitchen with no refrigerator and is unacceptable that guests are expected to live out of their luggage case at €700 a week, which is what I had to do.
GOOD
- Great location, though if you do not want the noise, then avoid. Not just the street traffic, but the walls are wafer thin. On one night I was kept up until 3am on a Tuesday with noisy neighbours. This isn't unique to this apartment, but something to keep in mind when trying to balance location/noise.
- Very pleasant apartment, with lots of light into the living area.
- Bed/bedding is large and comfortable.
- Kitchen reasonably well equipped.
- Nice views from the Juliette balcony.
- Practical bathroom.
- Washing machine is efficient, and there's a clothes horse, which is excellent.
- Host/host colleague was pleasant and check-in was very efficient.
- Basics included like toilet roll, soap and travel size shower gel/shampoo. Cleaning products and washing powder. This is convenient and many hosts often overlook how something so basic can save their guests time and improve their stay.
BAD
- No bedroom storage, meaning you are living out of your luggage case. For the cost and something so easy and cheap to install in the apartment, I do not know why the host thinks this is acceptable. It's made worse where this is not a cheap place to stay, and there is ample space either in the bedroom or dining room directly opposite the bedroom. Had this been there, this would have been a 5 star review.
- On complaining about this, I was encouraged to use the rack that had around five hangars on it. Five hangars. Very useful for socks, underwear, t-shirts, shorts, trousers... And a two-week stay.
- Bathroom sometimes had an eggy small, presumably from the plumbing of the building. It wasn't overbearing, but was noticeable only in the bathroom. I am sure this is a common issue in Lisbon owing to its old plumbing/sewerage system, so not unique to the apartment.
- Shower holder had detached from wall. The shower head still remained in place, but for something so easy to fix, it should be fixed.
- No check out information was provided and this wastes time. The host merely needs to leave instructions in the apartment or in the Airbnb details. On check-out, I left the keys in the front door in case the host did not have a spare set.
If the host could spend the €100 on a chest of drawers, then this is easily a 5-star place to stay in central Lisbon - and at that point, I would recommend it. Without it, this place is only suitable for a long weekend stay at best - not for a week or longer as in my stay.