FAA Belas Artes by An Island Apart

I felt at home during my 30-day workation. The building used to be a university of fine arts and has been beautifully renovated. My apartment was almost brand new, though a few bolts were loose. The location was hard to beat, a few blocks from the main squares and promenade. The street had very little car traffic but still felt lively. Parking is very limited. The closest option is five minutes away, while cheaper 24-hour parking means a 15-minute walk. The washer and dryer were in the kitchen, and there was an iron to borrow in the shared space. WiFi was very fast, 500 Mbit fiber. I booked a T0 apartment on Flat.io at a price well below the market, so I expected a few compromises. My unit was at the back on the first floor, with limited sunlight and a view of the neighbors' windows. Construction next door was ongoing, with a few hours of noise around midday. There's a restaurant patio right under the window, busy on some days. The Christmas songs and good smells were a little distracting, but tolerable. For the price, I'd choose it again. Bring noise-canceling earbuds if you plan to work, or choose an apartment on the street side of the building. There were no cockroaches in the apartment, though I saw a few dead ones in the hallway. The other guests were very nice and quiet. People say the neighborhood is safe, but I had one sketchy encounter after dusk. Nearby places I'd recommend: O Legue and Mania da Cozinha.