Clerigos Old Town Apartment

The location was great for both nightlife and attractions, with the Metro and Sao bento train station a five-minute walk away and the Douro river about ten minutes away. The apartment was amazing value, and the room was spacious, comfortable, and clean. There really wasn't anything I could fault. Would definitely recommend it.

I spent a full week here during a longer trip around Europe, and I rarely bother writing follow-up reviews. But while showing a friend the high standard of the apartment, I read the two earlier posts from Eileen and Geo and was horrified. I can't understand those accounts. Did they perhaps have the wrong apartment or address? I have no hesitation giving this place five stars. It's not the Taj Mahal, but nobody claimed it was. When I arrived, it was impeccably clean and tidy. The cupboards were dust-free inside and on top. Because I'd had two awful bed bug incidents in Asia and America, I checked the bed base and linen thoroughly. I found no signs at all, no tracks, droppings, or dead bugs. The host was extremely polite and helpful, and did everything he could to make my stay memorable. Seeing two "identical" posts seems like a strange coincidence, and it makes me wonder if there's a hidden agenda. Maybe you own similar rental accommodation in Porto and make a habit of putting down the competition? I can't think of another reason to be so vindictive. This guy is an incredibly decent bloke, and I feel for him having to run a business while dealing with rubbish like those "identical" posts. For value, I'd give it six stars. It's the kind of place you'd be happy to host your mother in.

The owner wouldn't verify that I'd stayed in his apartment, so he wouldn't let me post my review there. I have his receipt confirming our stay and the full payment we made. Before posting, I emailed him about the problems. He didn't reply, but called me at 3:00 am my time and hung up. It was the same number he'd used to discuss our reservation before the stay. Pros: The apartment is in the historic district, with good restaurants and cafes nearby, and it has air conditioning. The historic location could also be a drawback because of the surrounding area. Cons: This isn't a studio apartment, just a room with a mini fridge, microwave, and table. The owner's photos don't show the "kitchen" area. The room is only a tiny bit better than a hostel. The bathroom is a wet room with a shower curtain instead of a separate shower, so everything gets wet. The cabinet under the sink is swollen from the shower's water and humidity. The neighborhood is quite run-down. Walking down the street, you see many abandoned, crumbling buildings infested with pigeons and rodents. It reminded me of the South Bronx. "Gorillas," a word used by Yetin, hang out right outside the building and make people passing by uncomfortable. The biggest problem was a BED BUG infestation. We stayed in two other cities in Portugal without any trouble, and have traveled all over the world without ever having a bed bug problem. On the first morning of our five-night stay, I woke up with bites all over my body. We called Yetin, who assured us there were no bed bugs. Now we'll have to pay hundreds of dollars to fumigate our home, board our cat, see a doctor, and buy medication because the bites are so severe. Yetin doesn't take his landlord or manager responsibilities seriously. You may think you're emailing his wife, Joana, but he's the one you're really corresponding with, and you only find that out once you're there. He clearly doesn't care about his customers' health and wellbeing. I highly recommend staying somewhere else!

It's a great apartment in an old part of Porto, but it's perched at the top of the steepest hill. Probably best suited to people who are young, fit, or both.