Maria's place was so amazing! It is a family-owned multi-generational 18th century building that they have lovingly restored and updated to include state-of-the-art modern amenities. The kitchen was great to cook in, the bathroom and towels spa-like, and the bed linens high-end. I was traveling with my sister and we each had a comfortable room. We were particularly impressed with the attention to the environment with high-efficiency appliances and lighting.
I appreciate that they modernized the inside, but the art and decor honored the history and culture of the family and city. There are STUNNING views out of the giant windows and balcony. The neighborhood was perfect for us. It is right on the edge of the central zone, so we had the best of both worlds. We could see the children walk to school, and a local daily life--but we're just steps away from all that you would want to walk to as a tourist. There were wonderful restaurants very near including a lovely Japanese sushi place if you want a break from ham and cod!
The most impressive thing was actually the response rate and quality of helpfulness from the host. Frederico was personable and helpful, and genuinely wanted to make sure we had a positive experience. He definitely personified the warm quality we have found in the Portuguese people.
Porto is a very beautiful and unique city. You will need to walk on hills and uneven cobblestones and I don't think we saw a 90 degree angle the entire time we were there! It is going through a bit of a renaissance, after coming out of some tough economic times. You will see cranes and restoration projects throughout, and we were told that a lot of this has been made possible through the tourism boom, so they were very friendly everywhere we went. It is an enchanting place--and well-worth the sore feet! The very best decision you can make is to book this apartment!