My first HouseTrip – Lisbon in the Spring
Stepping off the plane in Lisbon on a warm March evening, I had in my pocket instructions on how to get downtown provided by my HouseTrip host, Olivier. I had printed off Olivier’s email, the walking map he gave me from Google Maps and the bus timetable. I had never been to Lisbon before or booked using HouseTrip, so this was a new experience for me.
He had written, ‘To reach the apartment from the airport, you can take a taxi or the bus called «aerobus». If you choose the bus, the ticket is bought inside the bus, at a cost of 3.50€, and you can use freely this ticket during 24h into Carris (bus and tram). Please check at http://snipurl.com/aerobus for more details. The bus stop is in front of Exit 2 of the airport (departs each 20 minutes). Step out at the bus station named «Rossio (City Center)» and you just have to walk 300m to the apartment (check the route at http://snipurl.com/map_correeiros).“
I recently joined HouseTrip as Chief Operating Officer and I thought that the best way to understand HouseTrip would be to take a HouseTrip. After all, I heard it once said you learn best when you “be your own customer”. As our customer service team are based in Lisbon, what better way to understand how HouseTrip works than to book on the site and go out to meet the (multilingual and multinational) Lisbon team.
So far, things were working out very well indeed. I found the bus stop easily, waited just 10 minutes for the bus, paid my 3.50€ and headed into town. On the journey in I reflected how different this was compared to other trips I’d taken in the past. I was travelling on business as I had many times in the last few years, but that’s the thing, this time I felt like I was traveller not a commuter. I had a friendly local host who had sent me great instructions; I was on a bus with everyone else, not cocooned behind a taxi window. As Lisbon revealed itself to me I checked my bus map for my stop and looked forward to getting into my apartment.
On approaching Rossio, one of Lisbon’s main squares I was struck at the beauty of the city; long wide boulevards, 18th century buildings, a castle overlooking the town, pavements with mosaic patterns, fountains, clean air and a casual relaxed feel to the town. I easily found the street where my apartment was located – a pedestrianised street with restaurants and cafes just one minute from the Rossio Square. I texted Olivier and he buzzed the doors to the old building and I headed upstairs.
It was a long way up. The apartment was built in the days before lifts and was on the fifth floor. Built at the end of 18th century, the building is a listed property by the Portuguese Institute for Managing the Architectural and Archaeological Heritage, classified as Property of Public Interest. Slightly out of breath I reached the top and Olivier showed me around.
When I booked via the HouseTrip website I was looking for somewhere small, centrally located and with two beds as I had a colleague arriving that night. I used the map on the search results to narrow my choice and made a note of the apartments that matched my requirements. I then made four different availability requests from the link provided and waited to see what would happen.
I must state that it was not known to the guests that I was a HouseTrip team member. They didn’t treat me any differently to anyone else and Olivier only found out my role after I had booked.
After the first two hours I had received two replies saying that they didn’t have any availability for the two nights that I wanted. Later that day though, Olivier sent me an offer. This was an email from HouseTrip’s system with a link where I could click to book online. It was €165 for two nights. For two of us, for two nights, I thought that was a good deal for bang in the middle of the city, so I went ahead.
It was easy to book and pay on the HouseTrip system and very soon afterwards, Olivier had sent me the confirmation with lots of useful instructions and information about Lisbon (he sends this to all of his guests).
Olivier has two apartments that he rents out. He has a day job, but does holiday rentals as a hobby and enjoys meeting and welcoming guests. He showed me around the apartment and we talked a little about his hobby and he gave me some tips on how he attracts and then looks after his guests.
It was a lovely apartment. Simply furnished, it was cosy and perfect for what we needed. The lounge had a sofa, dining table and TV and then over towards the back of the room was a double bed. A separate bedroom had another double bed and then there was a shower room and kitchen.
That evening my colleague and I stepped out into town. We wandered down Rue Augusta, Lisbon’s equivalent to the Champs Elysee. (Well, almost – it is pedestrianised – but it does have a big arch at one end!). I grabbed a bite to eat and then we strolled around town to the waterfront 5 minutes away and back up into town, finishing up with a few drinks at the Hard Rock Cafe.
We slept well. In the morning, I opened the shutters, made a coffee and drank it gazing down the quiet Rua dos Correeiros as it woke up and got ready for the day.
Then, down the stairs and we were in the heart of the city. My first HouseTrip had begun.
This was my first time in Lisbon and I couldn’t believe how much I had experienced in less than 24 hours. It felt real, authentic. I was a traveller, welcomed by a local, staying in an original building – with my own space and privacy. I didn’t have to check out at a lobby, get an elevator, open doors with a swipe card or sleep in an air conditioned box.
Now I’m looking forward to my next HouseTrip, wherever that may be.
Useful links:
- Search for apartments in Lisbon
- See the property I stayed in:
Olivier’s historical apartment rental in Lisbon’s tourist downtown: Rossio
March 2011