My name is Maria Stoyanova and I’m part of Flatio’s Nomad Inspectors Club. I’ve stayed in an apartment in Lisbon provided by Flatio from 27 September until 1 October 2023 in order to review the experience and provide content and feedback to the Flatio Team.
The apartment
I’ve stayed in a central Lisbon apartment for 4 nights. The apartment has a total of 2 bedrooms and can fit 6 people (incl. a pull out sofa bed). It is located in a lively neighbourhood very close to public transport, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and sightseeing opportunities. The apartment is located in walking distance to major attractions such as St. George Castle and The Rua Augusta Arch.
The booking
The booking process via Flatio platform was exceptional – everything was done online prior the reservation. I have received and signed a contract virtually, allowing me to not worry about anything else before my trip. The presence of an actual contract gave me a piece of mind that the accommodation is legitimate, safe, and the booking was secure. The platform is very easy to use, the booking process is straight forward and clear.
The check in & check out
The communication with the host - Margerida, was timely and clear. She reached out to me prior my reservation dates to make sure that everything is okay and to arrange the check in process. Margarida was out of town on the dates of my visit so she arranged for a reliable person to take care of the check in. The check in took place in a pre-arranged hour. It consisted of a person welcoming me in the apartment, showing everything necessary, as well as measuring the electric and water meters (for calculating the utility costs at the end of the stay). Pictures of everything were taken, and tools were tested that they were working properly.
The actual Wi-Fi speed
The Wi-Fi speed in the apartment was consistent on the first floor – ~50MBps download speed, ~11MBps upload speed (screenshot). The second floor, where the working station was located, was a bit less consistent and reliable - ~27MBps download speed, ~13MBps upload speed (screenshot). This made the working process on the second floor not so good. I used the table and chairs on the first floor which were also a good working station option.
Whether there is a dedicated workspace in the rental unit
There were two dedicated workspaces in the apartment. One table with 4 chairs on the first floor, and a desk with a chair on the second floor. The first table has an extension and can be turned into a bigger one, allowing for more working space (i.e. if there are 4 people working at the same time). The second floor’s desk and chair were located in a bright room. The chairs were normal dining table chairs.
Whether there is a place to exercise and meditate inside or outside the rental property
Yes. There are several places that would be good for meditation or exercises. Inside the living room, there is enough space for setting up a yoga or meditation spot (photo). Another good place is the top floor balcony which allows for an open-air exercise spot (photo). There was no available yoga/exercise mat which could be a good addition for the purpose.
Whether public transportation and places popular with digital nomads are easily accessible from the rental property
The apartment is located in a very central area of Lisbon – very close to Metro Station (green line), bus station, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets. It is walking distance from the central square where the Rua Augusta Arch is located. Airport is also easily accessible with the metro – there’s only one change in lines, and can be reached in less than an hour. Uber and Bolt are also widely used in Lisbon allowing for an affordable and reliable car transfer.
Recommendations:
Please note, the following recommendations might be considered to improve the stay of future residents but are not critical and the apartment is as good as it is.
- Contactless check in. Would be good to allow for contactless check in as arranging to be at the place in a specific hour prior to the booking can be a bit difficult. I had to book a private transfer from another town and pay a bit more than public transport would cost in order to be on time to meet the person for check in.
- Wi-fi booster on top floor to increase wi-fi speed.
- Yoga mat. As I don’t think many nomads travel with their own mat.
- Ergonomic chair on the desk on the second floor.
General experience:
Excellent. Centrally located, walking distance to everything needed, reliable wi-fi connection.
Strict (30-days)
Neighborhood hero
Experienced host
500/200 Mbps
The apartment is located to close to public transport stops, a big supermarket is just a few minutes away, and the old town streets are nearby for an evening stroll. It is just 10-15 minutes walking to the central square in Lisbon – great location overall.
The apartment is located right next to central streets with public transport on one side and cute old town streets with lots of restaurants and bars on the other side. The area is quiet enough.
Manjerica - for brunch and coffee, 10 minutes away
LIDL - for grocery shopping, 10 mint away
Heart of Old Town in Lisbon; walking distance to shops, restaurants, and amenities. Across the street from a grocery store. Mixed international population; did not seem the safest place to walk at night however.
Bom dia for groceries, A Padaria Portuguesa bakery, Josephine Bistro and Bar just down the stairs.
Central neighbourhood typically known for its immigrant population, now evolving into an interesting food scene