We enjoyed our stay in Maria's apartment very much. Maria's greeting was warm and friendly, and she made it clear we had the freedom to use the kitchen, terrace, and even the lounge room. She supplied a wide range of breakfast foods, and when I mentioned a liking for the Portuguese speciality of ricotta cheese and pumpkin jam (on toast, for breakfast!), she very kindly went out and bought some for me. Unfortunately she was busy with her catering business during our time there, so we didn't get to talk to her as much as we would have liked. However, her son Jose is very capable and hospitable, and speaks excellent English, and we enjoyed talking with him. He was particularly helpful in explaining how we coud catch the train to Sintra from the station outside the apartment.
Although a little out of the centre, this apartment is in a quiet residential area mercifully free of tourists, and is only a few minutes' walk from the nearest metro, and from there it is only about 5 minutes to Rossio or Baixa-Chiado. We were not really troubled much by the sound of planes and trains that some other reviewers have mentioned, and they stop between about 12 and 6 anyway. A modest local restaurant, the Sesimbrence, is just across the street, and a small supermarket is up the street a little way. Our only concern was that the bedroom was a little on the small side for two people with two large suitcases.