alan_s

I have read through several of the old topics on the subject here. I would appreciate any current suggestions on selection of agencies and apartments. Or on agencies NOT to use.

I am looking to rent an apartment for myself as a single senior traveller for four days in mid-June. I have already done a lot of searching through the incredibly large number of agencies covering Lisbon and built up a short-list.

I have some experience as I have rented apartments in the past in Menton, London, Paris and Buenos Aires. As well as the normal concerns of location and quality I am concerned about agency practices such as hidden cleaning fees, reaction to requests for maintenance or problem fixing, excessive breakage deposits etc.

My needs are:

Budget: cheap. Less than E50 per night.
Location: Historical area, probably Alfamo, Bairro Alto, Chiado or nearby.
Occupants: one senior male, non-smoker.
Size: studio or 1br with real double bed (not sofabed)
Essential: stove or hot hot-plate with utensils (I cook my own breakfasts, special diet) kettle, fridge, washing machine, internet (either wifi or ethernet).
Lift if on higher than two floors.
Close to tram or metro, not up or down countless steps.
A TV with some English channels would be nice, but not essential. So would air-conditioning (is that needed in mid-June?)
Preferably a quiet area. Definitely not near a night club or right beside the tram tracks.

I am looking for agency efficiency and honesty, comfort, cleanliness and function, not luxury.

All suggestions appreciated, TIA

Cheers, Alan

Lisbon_Eagle

I'm having trouble considering Alfama as "central" Lisbon. It was central until the modern age. But not anymore.

Sometimes people make a typical confusion between the historical central area, the downtown and the geographic center of today's Lisbon.

Alfama is not "central" in today's city of Lisbon, by no means - it's just a section of the historical Lisbon centre.

Sher

I will give you two websites that I have used.
www.travelingtolisbon.com
www.rent4days.com and I would like to make a comment.

Lisbon is a city where very reasonable accommodations can be found BUT 10E a night can make a lot of difference in amenities, location and comfort.

When last there in 2012 we stayed in Baixa at Browns Downtown which is above your price but the sister hotel Browns Luxury Apartments has small studios. I just put in four nights mid June but unfortunately the price was 70E.
These apartments are fantastic. They have small kitchenettes complete. Some have washing machines. There is A/C which I feel you should seriously consider for mid June. The best part are the beds. They are king-sized with luxury linens. WiFi is free. The lift is from the ground floor. The Chiado metro stop one block. Honestly the rooms are wonderful.

Maybe they will offer a special.

AT any rate try these two sites. TTL has all prices of apartments. I found them very helpful.

Good Luck.

Sher

P.S. I just saw something that if you like Traveling To Lisbon on Facebook by Dec. 18th you can receive 30percent off your booking.

jan47ete

I don't know if you saw this in one of my posts:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p233888. We stayed here for a week and loved it. A large apt for one but has all that you want--location, bus, grocery, bakery, tiles, CNN, W/D, etc.

No hidden costs, owner very, very response as I generate a lot of emails with very detailed questions.

welltraveledbrit

I don't have anything to recommend in your price range but I would like to add that we found Alfama cheaper than some areas when we were looking. I understand what is being said about it not being central but it may be relatively well located for a touristic itinerary, though it is of course on one side of things, if it helps you meet your budget.