The apartment sits in a genuinely beautiful and historic neighbourhood, and the charm of the surroundings is hard to fault. The house follows a traditional courtyard layout, which we actually enjoyed and felt added real character to the stay.That said, there are some significant issues that need addressing. Old courtyard buildings like this tend to come with unwanted guests, and we did encounter a large cockroach as well as ants throughout the house, meaning no food could be left out on the counters or unsealed. The smell in the bathrooms was also quite unpleasant, likely due to the older sewer system that comes with a house of this age.Beyond the pest and plumbing issues, the property is in need of a proper refurbishment. The quirky character is there but it needs updating to meet a reasonable modern standard. There is no microwave, and the fridge is quite old with seals and fittings that are no longer working properly.It is a shame because the location is outstanding. The presidential palace, Jerónimos Monastery, several museums and the charming streets of Calçada da Ajuda are all within easy reach. With a proper renovation and attention to maintenance, this place could be genuinely special. Right now, it falls short of what guests should reasonably expect.