I can't speak highly enough of Carla's Luxury Design Apartment. The location is perfect, being right near São Bento station, the Cathedral, Clerigos Tower and the tram route and facing onto Rua de Flores, the main pedestrianised street in Porto. It is a 7 minute walk to the river.

Secondly, the apartment itself. It is a new apartment block using what appears to be the old building facade in an ambitious regeneration of most of a city block, including an old Palacio which now houses the Intercontinental Hotel. However, the apartment retains the best of the traditional facade with lovely wall to floor windows and balconies throughout (there are views on three sides of the apartment so there is great natural light in every room except the bathroom). Inside, it is really well appointed. There is a stylish, modern kitchen with AEG oven and cooktop, a large bathroom and separate laundry and very comfortable queen bed in a generous sized bedroom. The lounge is also large and light filled. The cable TV and internet worked flawlessly. The split levels add to the sense of space - you could easily have four people in this apartment and not feel crowded. It was immaculately clean.

But It was the little details that made a real difference to our stay. For example, the little bottle of welcoming Porto wine, Carla's thoughtful map locating the apartment, recommended restaurants, supermarket etc, the well stocked kitchen (you could easily cook an elaborate meal), soaps and hair dryer in the bathroom, fully stocked kitchen and laundry essentials and the list goes on. Carla herself was easy to contact and we were met at the apartment punctually. We had no complaints at all - the lift was temporarily out of action when we were there but that was no drama (the apartment is on the second floor and reached by very wide stairs). If you like fresh air at night there is a bit of street noise but, after all, this is the inner city, not the mountains.

Last, but not least this apartment is terrific value for money. In any other location, perhaps even in Porto, Carla could be charging considerably more for this accommodation. It is the best Airbnb apartment we've stayed in so far and better than most 3-4 star hotels. It may not have the old world charm of some apartments but it is top class in every respect.