Sonel Investe Apartments Madalena 287 Studios

The apartment’s location was great for the main attractions, with trams just around the corner. Getting in was straightforward: we were given the building and apartment access codes and clear instructions for using them. We were on the top floor and could get there by lift. There was a coffee machine in the corridor for guests. Inside, we had a shower, toilet, towels, plenty of toilet paper, an induction hob, fridge, and all the kitchen utensils we needed. Wi-Fi worked in the apartment, and there were lots of sockets, including beside the bed. It was soundproof too.

We booked a room for three nights through AirBnb, but were given a different one from what we’d reserved. It was small and dark, with a strong damp smell. There was mold in the bathroom, hair on the floor, and the living room floor felt sticky, as if it hadn’t been cleaned. The host wasn’t at the property, so we called the emergency number to say we didn’t want to stay and needed an alternative. Nobody got back to us until the next day. Luckily, we could stay with a friend the first night. We returned early the following morning to check out and managed to cancel the other two nights. They said they’d discount the first night because of a booking mistake, but they never did. They still charged €200 for that night out of the €520 total for three nights, and now they’re not responding. Don’t book here.

The house was clean, modern in design, and in a perfect location. It felt like home, and we loved it.

We really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful apartment in the city centre. There’s a pastry shop right across the street with delicious coffee and pastries. Restaurants, public transport including buses, trams, and the metro, and a large grocery store are all a short walk away. I’d recommend staying here.