Spot Family Apartments was our favorite accommodation on our Spain and Portugal trip. We spent three nights in this self-catering apartment near Bolhão Market in Porto, and loved having a proper kitchen, a separate bedroom and a reception desk we could turn to for help.
The main drawback was the lack of a washing machine in our apartment. Otherwise, the clean rooms, generous supply of towels and convenient location made it a comfortable base for us. Here is what our stay was actually like, with our own photos.
Our three-night booking and cost
We booked through Agoda and paid KRW 891,874 for three nights, approximately KRW 297,291 per night. This is our actual booking cost, not a current quote. Prices depend on dates, apartment type and booking conditions; we have not converted the payment into euros because that would not reflect our original transaction.
For the space and facilities we received, the price felt reasonable compared with the other accommodation we booked on this trip.
Property: Spot Family Apartments
Address: Rua do Bolhão 109, 4000-112 Porto, Portugal
Accommodation: An apartment-style stay with a kitchen and on-site reception
Our stay: Three nights, booked through Agoda
Location near Bolhão Market
Bolhão Market was very close, which made buying food and ingredients easy. The official property website lists the market approximately 200 meters away. We also found the location convenient for sightseeing around Porto.
There was an Asian grocery shop right beside the property selling Korean instant noodles and microwave rice. That was a useful option when we wanted familiar food during the trip. I plan to write about that shop separately.
Reception, traditional keys and late-night access
This felt like a serviced apartment: we could cook and spread out in our own space, while still having staff at reception to ask for help. The staff we met were friendly.
At check-in, we received a traditional physical key. After so many card-key hotel stays, turning an actual key felt surprisingly nostalgic.
During our stay, we were told that the building entrance would be locked after 10 p.m. and that we could enter using the code provided at check-in. We were also directed to the nearby Spot hotel reception if we needed assistance at night. These were the arrangements explained to us at the time; confirm the current instructions when you arrive.
There was an elevator in the building. The lobby approach included a short set of steps with a small ramp beside it, so travelers with luggage or accessibility needs should check the entrance layout before booking.
A separate living area with a city view
Inside the entrance was a full-length mirror and a wooden bench. The blue walls and wood-toned floor gave the apartment a relaxed, home-like feel. It had been cleaned well before our arrival.
The living room had two sofas, a television and a dining table beside the kitchen. Having somewhere to sit and eat away from the bed made a real difference over three nights.
Our view looked across the surrounding buildings and down the street. It was a city view rather than a river panorama, but we could see the sky and the street opening out below, so it felt pleasantly open to us. We also found the apartment quiet at night during our stay.
What was in the apartment kitchen?
The kitchen was one of the biggest reasons we enjoyed staying here. It had enough equipment for us to prepare meals rather than simply reheat snacks.
There was a refrigerator beneath the microwave, useful for storing fruit, drinks and ingredients bought during the day.
The cooking area included an electric hob, an oven, a sink, a kettle and a filter coffee maker.
A toaster was also provided.
On the dining table, we found tea bags and biscuits arranged on a tray. These small touches were a welcome sight when we arrived.
The drawers contained knives, forks, spoons, scissors and a wine opener. Having an opener on hand was especially handy for our evenings with Portuguese wine.
We also found cooking utensils, a chopping board and plates in different sizes, so we had what we needed to prepare and serve our food.
Below the sink were pots, a frying pan and cleaning supplies. The appliance beside the cupboard was a dishwasher, not a washing machine. The photos above show the equipment in our apartment; other units may have different layouts or contents.
Cooking dinner and relaxing with fruit and wine
We made use of the kitchen by buying meat and cooking it ourselves. Eating out is part of the fun of traveling, but shopping for ingredients and preparing a meal at our own pace was a lovely change.
With a pan, utensils and serving plates already there, it was easy to sit down to a proper meal together. We cooked meat on more than one occasion during the stay.
One of my favorite memories was bringing back fruit, pouring a glass of wine and watching something at the dining table in the evening. Flat peaches, citrus fruit and a quiet night in made the apartment feel like our temporary home in Porto.
Bedroom, storage and spare linen
The bedroom was separate from the living room and had a window bringing in daylight. The room was tidy on arrival, with a simple bed and wood-toned furniture.
The wardrobe had hangers, drawers and a safe. Spare bedding and towels were stored on the upper shelves. We particularly appreciated having plenty of towels available.
There was air conditioning in the bedroom as well as in the living area.
Bathroom and toiletries
The bathroom had a glass-screened shower, a washbasin with counter space and a wall-mounted hairdryer. Blue tiles added color to the room.
Small bottles of toiletries and wrapped soap were provided at the washbasin. We had enough space beside the sink to lay out our own wash bags and toiletries.
Housekeeping and the one missing appliance
During our stay, housekeeping was provided every two days. Together with the generous supply of towels and the reception service, that made the apartment feel easier to manage than a completely independent rental.
Our apartment did not have a washing machine. We used a nearby self-service laundromat instead and plan to cover that experience separately. If doing laundry inside your accommodation is a priority, check the exact facilities of the unit you are booking.
Housekeeping frequency, entry arrangements and supplies described here reflect our own stay. Confirm current policies and the details of your booked apartment directly with the property.
Would we stay here again?
Yes. This was the accommodation I felt happiest with on this trip. The location near Bolhão Market, friendly staff, clean apartment and useful kitchen worked particularly well for how we like to travel.
I would especially consider it for a multi-night Porto stay where you want to cook some meals and have a separate place to relax. The lack of an in-unit washing machine is the main limitation to keep in mind.
For apartment types and current booking information, visit Spot Family Apartments. You can also find the property in the official Visit Portugal accommodation listing.
Arriving from Spain? Read our Barcelona to Porto Ryanair flight review for the preceding part of this journey.
Written by BIRDI. All accommodation and food photographs in this review are from our own stay.
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