This apt is located in the heart of the historical center of Porto, very close to São Bento Station.
Before I booked this apt, I read the reviews, and picked it up out of 100s because the hots is super host, so I figured it will be pretty good.
The reason I’m leaving a detailed review is to benefit other guests, where the host was not very transparent about certain things in the location or the apt itself.
1- Location: This apt is located in the heart of the historical center of Porto, very close to São Bento Station. The area is going through a major heavy machinery constructions, not regular apartments renovation/ buildings, but seems like a major street/ underground work, there are a lot of detours going on, so if you arrive to São Bento Station, make sure to exit from the main door of this station, then go on your left, do not go right per your map app, as this will let you go around and around in circles, but if you go left, cross the street after you walk for 100 meters or less, and go to where the cafes are across the street from the station, then that’s where the building is: behind these cafes, it is a red tiles building, you need to find the small gate to go inside, there are 2-3 gates to use, so you may now use map app to find it. The location is excellent, it is in the center of everything, VERY touristy, very noisy, most are 20 something, you can’t beat this location if you are going to a few days vacation, and want to stay in the center, but if you want quite place, then pick something else not this apt, as it is very noisy, almost all day, specifically on Fridays and Sat, the noise, the music stay until midnight.
2- After I found the apartment, I emailed the host asking where do I find the keys, that’s when I found out I needed to go elsewhere to check-in, that’s when it hits me that I did see the check-in address after I paid for the apt on the Airbnb (NOT BEFORE), at that time, I thought that the check-in is around the corner, which is not a big deal, but the truth is: the check-in address is almost 1/2 mile (half mile)/ 0.8 km UP THE HILL, meaning you need to go UP THE HILL, walking with your suitcases, get the keys, then come down to the apt!! Really!!!!!! Why haven’t the host explained this VERY important FACT in his listing? Did he thinks it’s ok to walk up with heavy backpacks or suitcases or even without any, who wants to walk 0.5 miles to get a key for an apt after paying $$ per day? This is unacceptable, I have been all over the world, I have traveled to over 35 countries, I have never ever had to walk a half mile to get the keys, or even use a taxi or whatever, the keys should be RIGHT THERE where the apt is, why can’t the host walk these half miles himself to give the keys to his guests? After all he is making $$ money from his guests, or find a better way to send the keys to his guests, no guest should go up and down the hills to get a key, period! And Airbnb should be aware of this, the host is not transparent about this fact, so for all guest, please contact the host, ask him about how is he planning to deliver the keys ON TIME of the arrival. Please keep in mind that there is another company who manages this apt, seems like a company that manages tons of other places, and you have to go to their office to pick the keys, so be aware of this fact, even if you select another apt, contact the host first to make sure you don’t have to walk miles, up and down the hills to pick up the keys first BEFORE paying for the reservation.
3- Apt condition: the apt was clean, very nice, no issues here. There was no toilet papers, so I had to ask the host if this is normal with his apt, and if it was, he should have mentioned this in his listing, so I could bring some rolls, or at least one roll with me, they ended up sending me 3 rolls on my last day, I stayed 4 days.
4- Towels: like the other reviewers, the towels are old endnote enough if you are more than one person, staying in for more than 2 days, the host should add more towels, since there is no washer or dryer in this apt, he must add more towels, new ones too.
5- Shower problem: the shower didn’t work for the first 2 days, somehow and by a miracle, and after 2 hours of trying to figure it out, I found out that the shower will not work if you let the tub faucet on, you have to shut it off first, then work on the little thing on the top of the faucet and then turned it either clockwise or the other way to stabilize it, then and only then you can have the water running from the shower head itself.
6- There was only one dishwasher cleansing tablet, one task bag in the kitchen, and one bathroom trash bag, so if you are planning to use the dishwasher more than once during your stay, you won’t be able to do so, bring your own washing tablets, and your own trash bags. It will only cost the host $1 to add 5 more of these 3, so the guest can keep the kitchen and bathroom clean, otherwise waiting 3-5 days to take the trash out is not acceptable.
7- There are not paper towels in the kitchen, and only one old cloth