Braga Bells Guesthouse

We got a good deal, and I'd happily come back to this apartment. The host's communication was excellent and quick. On arrival, we received an SMS and email with simple instructions for getting in, and there were two keys, one for the apartment and one for the building. The apartment had a balcony overlooking the main street, plenty of kitchen equipment and hot water in the shower around the clock. The plastic shower floor was clean, but didn't feel hygienic. The walls are thin, so you can hear a bit of neighbor noise. The location is fantastic, right by Braga Cathedral, with restaurants and cafes nearby, including a wonderful cafe next to the building. It's an easy walk to the city center, Santa Barbara Garden and Praça - City Market.

I wouldn't stay at Braga Bells Guesthouse again or recommend it. I reported the room's mold and general condition to local health authorities, and my travel plans meant I couldn't move elsewhere. There was visible black mold in the bathroom, and I felt so uncomfortable using it that I mostly used the bathroom at a nearby hotel where my friends were staying. The attic room was very low. I'm just 170 cm/5'7 and hit my head twice on the way to the bathroom. Its highest point is in the middle, where the bed is, so I can imagine it being even more difficult for someone taller or for two people. The only window was in the roof and had no proper way to block the light, making it hard to rest. Getting to the room meant climbing extremely steep, narrow stairs that start just 30 cm from the bed. The listing mentions stairs and no elevator, but doesn't convey how unsafe they felt or the risk of falling. The room also seemed to be used to reach heaters and other building equipment. I worried that people could come through my room without supervision to reach pipes or other equipment, and wondered whether this met safety rules. The guesthouse also emailed asking for the tourist tax by bank transfer, even though it was already included in my Booking.com reservation. It felt like an attempt to charge me again without justification.

We'd happily recommend this place. Apartment 5 was tidy, comfortable and quiet, with a Juliet balcony and a small outdoor balcony on the second floor. It had a sitting area with a TV, then a bed and seating by three front-facing windows, plus a long, fairly large galley kitchen. The fridge smelled of meat and needed defrosting, though it worked, and there was only a little freezer space. No dishwasher, so it seemed set up for guests to graze rather than cook. The center of Braga was right outside, with lots of restaurants. There was some street noise and cathedral bells during the day, but little vehicle activity. There's no lift for luggage, and access is by key code, which may be the main downside.

For the price, this was a fantastic deal and I'd absolutely recommend it. Check-in and check-out were automatic, quick, easy and efficient, and the beds were very comfortable. The rooms had A/C, and although there are plenty of nightlife options nearby, they stayed quiet. You're right in the middle of the city with restaurants and bars all around. I did find the WiFi a bit unreliable, so I wouldn't count on it working properly all the time. My only other personal issue was the lack of a bidet, though I know that's not something everyone cares about.