Tea 4 Nine Guest House and Bistro

The apartment was spacious, modern, clean and comfortable, with a large bedroom, king-size bed, one and a half bathrooms, a combined living and dining area, and a well-equipped kitchen with a washer and dryer. The little balcony was a terrace, though the back of the apartment block wasn’t particularly charming. Essentials were provided, in a very Airbnb-like setup. Breakfast wasn’t served; a few bland, store-bought items were left in the refrigerator instead. Getting in was a frustrating start. We’d told them when we expected to arrive, but still waited about 45 minutes for someone to bring the key. There was no receptionist or staff on site, and the owner’s contact details were scribbled on a smeared chalkboard by the entrance, so we weren’t even sure we had the right number. The person we reached by phone spoke English, but the person who eventually met us didn’t and seemed unsure about check-in. We were driving through northern Portugal and stayed for two nights. Street parking is difficult there. The owner helped us get a reduced rate at the underground garage beneath the nearby plaza, but sorting that out was more complicated than it needed to be. The apartment itself was quiet and well equipped, but communication and management involvement were lacking. Knowing how awkward arrival would be, we probably would’ve stayed somewhere else. Maybe 3 1/2 stars would be fairer.