In the center of Algarve, but peacefully

MUST READ: For our (my younger sister and I) first time experience using Flat.io for a reservation, and after having reviewed the high ratings of this app, we decided to rent a T2 apartment in a small village town in southern Portugal. We had not yet flown in from overseas but took the risk being the first renters of this particular apartment.

The initial advert referenced onsite parking (at the apartment), spacious two bedroom unit with tons of light, all needed within a short proximity of the apartment, a state of the art stove to use, air unit, and more. When we finally arrived we were greeted by Domingo and his wife. Both came across kind but Domingo was a slight bit pushy to quickly show us the apartment and village. From the very beginning we had a major issue; the parking but not only the parking. Also, the roads to get to the unit. My sister flew in from the US and rented an SUV. Attempting to manoeuvre through those super dangerous slim roads seemed impossible. Actually Domingo had hopped in the car with my sister to show her how to turn around and where to park (right in front of the unit). I recall my sister stating at that very moment that this was unsafe and that AirB&B would have never allowed this if it were them. Domingo convinced her that it would be just fine. PS: the next day she crashed the SUV attempting to get through the main road to the apartment. PSS: Immediately after they left, his brother who resided directly across the street, took over that one parking spot. So, we were having to park blocks away - yes blocks and if you rent this place you will also learn - and trek those cobblestone roads back to the apartment. It became an exhausting task.

While in the unit with the couple, they admitted that their ad was incorrect and they basically had lied. It is a one bedroom and not a two. The second bedroom they "figured was a bedroom" was the living room with an extremely old couch that opened up into a bed. That must have been the most disgusting mattress and blanket ever seen. My sister, who is extremely tidy, almost puked and begged me to sleep on the edge of her bed or on the floor until... Also, while in the unit with the owners, they made remarks and comments as to my height and then that of my sister. I hadn't a clue why but my sister had an inclination that it may have to do with the stove. The top unit of the stove was of stone. Perhaps the original piece. Where the true issue lied is that while attempting to cook that evening she almost split her head wide open. She is 5'6 and I am 6'2. The sharp edges of the stone top was so sharp that the following night I seriously hurt my head and split it (I am bald) after walking by the stove. This is why they were making comments about our height. They knew it would be dangerous and kept quiet as they quickly left the home. My sister is a true traveler and she was correct. They left quickly so that they can later say that "we never mentioned it when we arrived"... we had both just traveled for hours and hours to get to PT and then drove almost 3 hours to that apartment. Let me not forget to mention that the oven DID NOT WORK. The top of the stove did work but........here's the kicker....wait on it.... the oven extractor fan he referenced on his original post - that he states he removed but not to worry - ended up being a black hole full of I don't know what - which constantly fell onto the food we were cooking! Additional funds down the drain.

Another major issue was the air in the unit. Basically, there isn't any. So, I felt terrible having to listen to my sister almost cough her lungs out for those few nights and for hours throughout the night. To the point of having to open the windows (WHICH HAD NO SCREENS LETTING A MILLION FLIES IN PER SECOND) and bring her cups of water so she could attempt to sleep through the night. The owner talks about a humidifier that he has in the bedroom for this reason. IT DOES NOTHING TO AID someone's discomfort. I almost took her to the hospital and that is when I said enough is enough.

I had spent over seven hundred euros for the first month. This place was not worth 200 euros. I had a 2.5 month contract but my sister reminded me that if anything was wrong we could contact Flat.io for immediate assistance which I did. For the next 48-72 hours, my sister and I drove around the entire PT it seemed looking for a rental. Being that it's the beginning of summer, this was extremely difficult. We had already spent almost 950 euros on Domingos' place. I reached out to him - no response. So I reached out to Flat.io and they immediately responded and opened up a case. Days later, even they were unable to hear back from Domingo. Wouldn't you know it. This scammer decided to delete the original posting and open up a new one thinking that we wouldn't be able to leave him a review. Flat.io was on it! Thus why I am now leaving this review that you are reading. Domingo waited until the day after the first month ended to respond and do you want to know why? So, he could charge us for the second month saying that it's too late and requesting payment even though we left within one week! Flat.io, to attempt to make the customer feel whole somewhat, were kind enough to reimburse us the entire service fee. They were unable to refund us the monthly rent charge but since Domingo purposely dragged that along and disregarded their request to comment/reimburse us for the lost time, we were unable to collect.

Given, we sent Flat.io AND DOMINGO the pictures of my split bleeding head, the disgusting mattress and blanket, the terrible roads, the lack of parking, and advised them that this was NOT A T2. As my sister is an attorney, she ensures that all sides are covered and was even thinking of this couple which is why I stated to both Domingo and Flat.io that we would definitely pay for the week spent there and lose out on the service fee. But Domingo ended up scamming us and opening up this new post for his rental property. If he was telling the truth why would he do so? He ended up replying to Flat.io later stating that we were scammers attempting to get lodging for free in PT. Does that EVEN MAKE SENSE?

PS: This location is NOT close to ANYTHING WHATSOEVER - 1 HOUR TO ALBUFEIRA. You WILL crash your car so make sure to have insurance. You WILL have to walk every single day back and forth from parking. You most likely WILL split your head open so if you have kids - AVOID THIS UNIT.

ADVICE: For any further travelers entertaining this unit, there are some reviews you consider and other reviews that you follow. You want to follow this one or you'll be the next one writing your horror story on this platform. This is the worst experience in Portugal thus far for us. I wish we could upload pictures to prove our case to you all and save you headaches.

Vecindario
There isn't one. The people are kind and stay to themselves but there isn't one activity or place to go to. Not one.

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