My favorite type of Airbnb is one that acts as an extension of the host’s own home—perhaps they own the building and live in the apartment upstairs, or in a nearby house on the property—allowing guests to interact with the host while still maintaining a sense of privacy.
While this homestay-esque setup was once the foundation of Airbnb, it has become increasingly common for listings to instead be managed by third-party rental property companies. This means your only interaction with the “host” might be anonymous lockbox instructions delivered via the app’s chat function.
This is not the case at Casa Astória, a soulful jewel box of an Airbnb in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest and increasingly trendy city. Francisco, a Porto-born architect and superhost with 14 years of hosting under his belt, owns the apartment building and lives on the top floor with his wife and newborn. Upon arrival, I quickly met him and Hydra, his friendly Bernese mountain dog, in the shared backyard, where he apologized profusely for not greeting us sooner due to a doctor’s appointment. Shortly after, he shared a long list of local restaurant recommendations and authentic attractions tucked away from the city’s more over-touristed corners. In short, we hit the host jackpot. (He also runs another Airbnb, a two-bedroom flat with views of the river, in the same building.
Francisco’s attention to detail can be seen all throughout the apartment, which is housed inside a historic 1830 building that he renovated. The building’s sunlit foyer is a treasure trove of vintage rugs, antique furniture, and shelves lined with museum-worthy collectibles. Stepping into the one-bedroom “Arts Apartment” that was to be our home for the next few days, we found that while it leaned more aesthetic than functional, the location and garden made up for the compact floor plan and lack of closet space. For a three-night stay with little time spent inside, living out of our suitcases wasn’t a deal breaker.
During the rare moments when we did stay in, we felt right at home thanks to the earth-toned walls and art, and thoughtful design details which gave the apartment a warm, lived-in feel. The kitchenette is rudimentary with a mini fridge, stovetop (no oven), a sink, and a few cooking essentials, including two different coffee makers. In the same room, there’s a two-person wooden dining table and a small but comfortable leather couch. Sunlight filtered through the living room’s large window during the mornings, and come nightfall, the vintage stereo system and Bluetooth radio were a total vibe for getting dressed up for dinner with a glass of wine.
In the bedroom was a full-size bed with lovely linens and comfortable enough pillows. The shower and sink area didn’t have a door (it was separate from the toilet, which thankfully did offer a door and privacy), but the water temperature and pressure were great. I was traveling with a friend, so for some privacy, she kept all her belongings in the living room, and I kept my suitcase in the bedroom. (Years ago, we were roommates together in Spain and thus accustomed to sharing tight quarters!)
