2/10
Advertised as a modern property in Belem, it is actually in a musty old building in Ajuda.
First impressions were grim. Getting off the plane at around 9pm I received a WhatsApp with my "check in" arrangements. The key had been wrapped in a piece of plastic bag and concealed in a patch of weeds and litter in a hole in the wall of a neighbouring building.
Arriving at the address at 9:45pm 16th January, in pitch dark, gale force winds, torrential rain, thunder and lightening I had to explore a number of derelict buildings and soggy wet litter piles looking for the key.
I knew the property had no lift, but not that the building didn't accord with building codes. The staircase was 24 inches (60cm) wide and virtually a spiral, with 17 steps per floor (34 steps in total).
The apartment was cold and smelled damp. There were stains on the furnishings. The bed and all the bedding was damp (thought they were clean).
There was moisture running down the walls and mould growing under the windows, on the ceiling and walls in the bathroom and black mould all over the shower cubicle.
It was too cold to sleep in the damp bed. I slept in my down jacket, hat and gloves on the floor under the one functioning heater. The host initially refused any refund of my advance 2 week payment. After 5 days of me wiping down the walls, tumble drying the bedding and treating the mouldy bathroom they allowed me a partial discount. I would have preferred a release from the mouldy hole.
Tracy W.
Se hospedó 14 noches en enero de 2024