Apartment with Spectacular Views over Porto and the River Douro

Guest Reviews:

5/5: Appartement très confortable, avec une vue splendide qu''on n''est pas prêt d''oublier. - Homelidays, April 2013

5/5: Il nostro soggiorno a Porto è stato spettacolare. La città è molto interessante, soprattutto nelle parti ricche di storia e di architettura. E'' particolarmente interessante il giro della città col bus turistico che con l''aiuto di auricolari racconta la storia, in lingue diverse a scelta, di ogni monumento toccato dal percorso. Il biglietto comprende anche una navigazione di circa 50 minuti lungo il Douro su un battello di legno che ripropone le linee di quelli che un tempo trasportavano il vino e permette l''osservazione della città dal fiume e l''attraversamento dei sei ponti che uniscono le due rive. E'' compresa anche una degustazione del vino Porto in una delle tante cantine presenti lungo il corso del fiume. La casa di Shaz e Yvonne è splendida e la sua posizione al decimo piano di uno splendido condominio permette una vista sulla città e sui dintorni eccezionale. L''appartamento si affaccia su due lati, dei quali uno dà la vista su un''ansa del fiume tra la Ribeira e le cantine, l''altro sulla Cattedrale del Pilar,su Villanova de Gaia e sulle colline verso l''alto corso del Douro. La vista di sera è letteralmente mozzafiato, perchè si resta incantati ad ammirare i contorni di una Porto notturna disegnati dalle luci arancioni che ne accentuano i chiaroscuri. La casa è completa di tutto il necessario e si trova vicino a negozi di ogni genere e a un supermercato fornito di ogni cosa a prezzi concorrenziali. La casa è facilmente raggiungibile anche con i mezzi pubblici, autobus e metropolitana, molto frequenti durante l''intera giornata. La pulizia è perfetta e ogni oggetto si trova al posto giusto. Inoltre Shaz e Yvonne, che spingono la loro gentilezza fino a venirti a prendere all''aeroporto e a riportarti, sono delle persone splendide, che sanno come mettere a loro agio gli ospiti e sono disponibili a ogni richiesta. Invio loro un grazie anche per l''ottima bottiglia di Porto che ci hanno fatto trovare al nostro arrivo. Speriamo di rivedere presto le nostre carissime Shaz e Yvonne e consigliamo a tutti questa splendida casa. - Homelidays, March 2013.

Fantastic

The apartment was very well furnished, and the kitchen included lots of staple things like olive oil, pepper, salt etc. Also milk, orange juice and wine.
Great public transport just outside the door. We will return! - Rentalia, November 2012

5/5: Die Wohnung ist einfach ideal für 2 Personen und in jeder Hinsicht zu empfehlen! Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt! Aussicht umwerfend, nicht sehr laut, verkehrsgünstig, sichere Gegend und dann die Aussicht, wie gesagt...! Ein großes Danke an Shaz - wir haben uns sehr gut betreut gefühlt! Wir kommen gerne wieder! - Homelidays, November 2012

Amazing Sunsets Over The River!

We are a couple who travelled from the UK, we stayed in Lisbon for 4 days and then travelled to Vila Nova De Gaia, which is just across the river from Porto. We used the Alfa pendular train service, which takes 2hours 30 min and costs Euro 54 each return in second class. Booked the day before, our reserved seat was next to the buffet, with a lot more space and comfort than those in the UK. We got off at Vila Nova De Gaia station where the apartment owners had agreed to meet us, they were there waiting and took us to the apartment, which is only 5 minutes away. The owners were enormously friendly and helpful, showed us around the apartment and gave us hints and tips as to what to do and how to get around the city. They left a contact number which we texted a number of times for advice and they always responded immediately. The apartment was perfect for us, there were essentials in the fridge and cupboards, nothing beats a cold beer from the fridge or cup of coffee as you unpack and settle in. The balcony at the back overlooked the river, we sat each evening watching amazing sun sets. At the front is a large terrace with table and chairs and a sun lounger, here we ate breakfast looking out over the mountains in the distance. The apartment is on the main route into Porto. The metro, service buses and tour buses stop a few yards from the apartment and gave us easy access to the city, there was plenty of information in the apartment. We bought a day andante tour ticket from the station up on the right; it cost Euro 7 each and gave 24 hour access on all public transport. Things we really enjoyed were a lunch of fresh fish in Matosinhos, get there by metro or tour bus; lunch at Café Majestic, we got there at noon to beat the queue, steak is to die for; Evening meal at Costume; Portuguese red wine; the Portuguese people who can never do enough for you. - HomeAway, October 2012

Rating 5 out of 5 Schöne Ferienwohnung mit traumhaftem Ausblick

Die Wohnung war sehr sauber und gemütlich eingerichtet. In den Betten haben wir ausgezeichnet geschlafen. Der Ausblick von den beiden Balkonen war wirklich so wundervoll wie in dem Angebot. Wir hatten abends gar keine Lust mehr auszugehen und haben es vorgezogen auf dem Balkon ein Glas Portwein zu genießen. Schöner als fernsehen!!! Die Vermieter, zwei sehr sympatische Engländerinnen, haben uns, wie versprochen, vom Flughafen abgeholt und wieder hingebracht und standen uns für Fragen immer zur Verfügung. Eine der beiden Vermieterinnen spricht etwas deutsch. - HomeAway, September 2012

Rating 5 out of 5 Perfect Apartment for Us

We stayed at this apartment in November 2011 for a week but promised ourselves a return in better weather. Well we have just returned from a beautiful week of sunshine at this lovely apartment in September 2012. The apartment is on the top floor of a 10 storey building and it is exactly as described. The owners are particularly helpful and friendly. The apartment is perfectly clean, well appointed and the views are just amazing. Although in Gaia rather than Porto itself this is actually an advantage because with Porto less than a 5 minute level walk across the top of the Dom Luis bridge you are near enough without missing out on looking across the Douro river to Porto itself from the apartment at that view. The kitchen is well appointed, the bed is comfortable, the bathroom and the lounge perfect. We have come back for a return visit which probably says more than I can in words. We love it and hope to return again when Porto calls us back! The apartment is also positioned perfectly for the metro being on the street by the General Torres stop. We used the bus (30 minutes for 1.45 Euro each way) to get to the Modern Art Museum and the train at General Torres station (not Metro) to get to Miramar (in 12 minutes for 1.80 Euro each way) where we walked along amazing beaches and went into the Senhor da Pedra chapel a beautiful chapel right on the beach. The restaurants are lovely and the people so friendly. Writing this I am already thinking of returning:-) - HomeAway, September 2012

Rating 5 out of 5 Absolutely Perfect

Right from the booking through to going home this was a first class vacation. Communications during and after booking the apartment were top notch as was the service. We were picked up from the airport by Shaz who chauffered us to the apartment were we met Yvonne (she must have been cleaning as Shaz was taxiing because the apartment was scrupulously clean) who had done some shopping for us as we had a very late flight. After a few tips on what to do and were to go we were left to our own devices. 
The apartment is very comfortable with high end fixtures and fittings. Lots of books and DVD's. The bed in particular was very comfortable. For me, the reason I chose the apartment was the balconies, I love to eat al fresco (a rarity when you live in the UK) and breakfast on the balcony was a delight. Fantastic views, the photos don't really do it justice. You really don't need a car here public transport is cheap regular, clean and accessible. We used the Metro constantly and with a stop right outside the door very convenient. There is a supermarket across the road which sells most things you could want, and a fruit and veg shop a few doors down (25% of UK prices). Walking to the Ribeira takes about 10 minutes across the bridge, though we preferred the views from the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro. 
Highlights of the holiday for me were walking along the Douro to the beach at Foz and drinking with the locals at the pavement bars. Watching the sun set over the Atlantic drinking a Sundowner, and Sunday lunch at El Corte Ingles. Also unforgettable was lunch at Lavadores, we just plonked ourselves down at a table outside a house and they fed us the most amazing meal at an unbelievably cheap price. 
Porto itself is a marvellous city, culture, architecture, character, it has it all, we shall certainly be back - HomeAway, June 2012

5/5: Superbe appartement avec internet, une propreté incroyable, des vues magnifiques sur la ville et le Douro.Le métro et les commerces juste en bas de l''immeuble. Pas de bruit. Un accueil formidable avec une bouteille de Porto. Une cuisine moderne.La propriétaire nous a accompagné en voiture à l''aéroport. Merci...Formidable! - Homelidays, May 2012

 Fantastic Apartment

This apartment is a true home from home. It is furnished to a high standard and offers amazing views over the city and the river. We wanted for nothing as the apartment has all the little extras which made our stay perfect.The apartment is a 5 minute walk to the river and main attractions in the centre so is perfectly located for all sightseeing and resturants. We were picked up and dropped off at the airport which meant a relaxing, no hassle start and finish to our holiday. Our hosts went the extra mile to ensure we had every thing we needed and nothing was too much trouble. We would 100% recommend this apartment to any one planning a visit to Porto - Rentailia, April 2012

5/5 "Avons beaucoup aimé la propriétaire qui est au petit soin pour ses locataires.
Appartement meublé avec beaucoup de goût.
Guide, carte et livre à disposition 
Confort 10/10" - Mediahols, December 2011

Rating 5 out of 5 Amazing views and excellent apartment

We had a wonderful week staying at this excellent apartment. It is situated a short walk from the Dom Luis bridge on the Gaia side of the Douro River where the Port lodges are all located. The view from the balcony looking towards the Douro River is every bit as good as the pictures on this site show. Simply amazing. The larger terrace is very good and again has very nice views as shown here. The apartment is beautifully fitted with modern furniture and very clean. The kitchen is fully fitted with dishwasher, fridge (& ice box), 2 hot plates and a multi functional microwave/oven. The double bedroom is a good size and the bathroom includes a good overbath shower with curtain. The lounge has a sofa & chairs as well as the dining table and chairs (which we understand are put out onto the terrace in better weather). The apartment really lives up to the pictures. The owners could not be more friendly and were available to help us by phone. The weather was mixed for our week in November (what could we expect!) but on the good days we had lunch on the balcony and on the wet days we took advantage of the good selection of DVDs to pass the time until we could venture out. The nearby (20 yards) Metro stop of General Torres makes it easy to get across the bridge from the apartment if you don't want to walk, although the walk is no more than 10-15 minutes including spectacular views to remind you of why you came to Porto. There are also buses to parts of the city the Metro does not go and the pre-loaded Andante tickets make that very easy. We found a relatively easy route down to the Gaia waterfront where there were good restaurants and again amazing views. The walk across the bottom level of the Dom Luis bridge brings you to the famous Ribeira waterfront with all the restaurants and bars to choose from. Certainly a very good apartment and one we will hope to return to in warmer weather to take full advantage of the terrace and views. - HomeAway, November 2011

"5/5: Appartement plus que que correct,une vue superbe sur le Douro, à ne pas manquer la nuit,un balcon spacieux, appartement très bien desservi avec une station de tramway à 50 mètres.La propriétaire est toujours disponible et prête à vous informer au besoin !très apprécialble! Je RECOMMANDE vivement cet appartement si vous sejournez dans cette charmante ville qu'est PORTO." - Homelidays, November 2011

satisfaction !!!

appartement super bien situé pour visiter Porto (métro et transports en commun devant le batiment)
excellent accueil de la part de la propriétaire (trés sympa) et l'appartement en lui même rien à redire super !!!!
je le recommande volontier. - Rentalia, November 2011

 Tolle Wohnung - zentral

Die Wohnung liegt absolut zentral zu Porto, alle Sehenswürdigkeiten sind zu Fuß zu erreichen, Busse halten vor der Tür. Da die Wohnung im 10. Stock- Endetage - liegt, bietet sie nach Ost und West eine wundervolle Aussicht von den beiden Balkonen: Berge des Douro-Tals, V.N. de Gaia Kellereien und Porto Ribeira. Der Douro ist in einer großen Schleife zu sehen. Die Ausstattung ist bestens für einen längeren Aufenthalt geeignet. Die Beschreibung der Wohnung ist eher untertrieben! Wir (2Pers.) haben uns 6 Tage lang sehr wohl gefühlt. Die beiden Balkone bieten einen großen Lebenskomfort bezüglich Sonne und Schatten. - Rentalia, October 2011

"5/5: Appartement bien situé à Nova Gaia pour stationner gratuitement et visiter les caves et la vill. Bon accueil des propriétaires et belle vue sur la ville. Seul bémol : le canapé est un peu petit pour deux personnes." - Homelidays, August 2011 (note: sofa bed was replaced with a new 140cm wide sofa bed in late 2011).