We needed to find a suitable apartment for a family consisting of a grandmother, two couples and one small child on fairly short notice. Carlos was very responsive to my initial inquiry and to all subsequent inquiries about the house.

Although Carlos was out of town, he arranged for Vitor to be available to us during the rental. Vitor was very helpful. We had to open some locked windows and Vitor came within an hour to fix the problem. Also, we had a hot water issue, but again Vitor was at the house and fixed the problem immediately (so fast I didn't have a chance to read his response email - he arrived before it did!). These issues happen and the most important thing is to get them fixed as quickly as possible. I was impressed with the level of responsiveness.

The house is well designed and charming. The pictures are accurate - the house is beautiful. The beds are very comfortable. We used all the appliances and all worked. There are plenty of pots and pans and sufficient dishes, glasses and cutlery. We bought fish at the Bolhao market and had a great dinner at home one night in the dining room that we cooked in the kitchen of the house. The internet was also fine.

The host supplied a decent baby bed and a very good high chair for the baby. The house was very clean upon arrival. The locks work well, but are tricky for North Americans. Be sure to try them with the host present.

It isn't clear from the pictures or description, but there are multiple levels to the house all reached via a spiral staircase in the middle. There is one double bedroom on the ground floor that has its own 2 piece bathroom. People using this room have to go upstairs to someone else's bathroom to bathe or shower. (The other two bedrooms have beautiful ensuite full bathrooms). This was not a problem for us at all. There is also one other 1/2 bathroom in the house.

This house is in a very residential neighbourhood but in the old part of town. It's about a 10 minute walk to the restaurants along the riverside. We walked to the port houses from here - about 20 minutes walk with a great view of the river the whole way (and we were pushing a stroller). There are a couple of good neighbourhood cafes very close by and a small grocery store a few metres away where we could buy meat, cheese, wine, milk etc. - limited selection, but all the necessities are available. The location is reasonably quiet at night too. It's a good location to be in to feel as if you are living like a local but close enough to walk to the main sights or catch a bus if necessary. The tram to the beach at Foz do Douro stops nearby as well.

I would stay here again.