Sailing Hotel & Spa

A friend paid for us to use the tennis court, including borrowed equipment. The court was probably 30 years overdue for resurfacing. The racquets were disgusting and the balls barely bounced. Both should have been thrown out long ago. In this condition, they have no business renting out the court or equipment.

The first day left me with a good impression: the location was excellent, the room was enjoyable, the shower worked well, and the service had been good. It’s dated, but has some charm, and breakfast was pleasant. I wrote this after that first day, though, and the next morning changed everything. At 9:00 on Sunday, construction beside my room woke me up, with no notice to guests. Then the hot water stopped while I was showering. I asked the receptionist to let me speak with the manager. They spoke with the owner and manager, but neither would talk to me. I’m appalled by the interruptions and the way the complaint was handled. Who starts construction on a Sunday morning without warning guests, or turns off the hot water in the morning? I worked in hospitality when I was younger. A manager who refuses to talk to an unhappy customer probably needs training and a clearer explanation of the job. If your standards are low, you might find the hotel good. If you think it merits its five-star rating, I’d avoid it. Buzios has plenty of other good options.

Lia, the owner, is lovely. We were running late for a Scuba diving excursion one morning, and she drove us there to help us save time. It’s clear she puts a lot of effort into keeping the place in great shape. The hotel itself is an old, beautiful property that’s extremely well cared for. The staff are friendly and attentive, the food was delicious, and the rooms are lovely. Its location is great, too, with stairs leading up from the main street by the ocean, so you can skip the long walk around that some nearby hotels require. It is an older hotel, so there’s no smart TV, and our room’s fridge was a little loud. Those were small annoyances compared with everything else we enjoyed. I can’t recommend it enough. If I return to Búzios, I’ll stay there again.

The rooms made our stay especially comfortable: ours had a spacious walk-in closet, a sitting room, and a deck with a lovely view over the water. Breakfast was a highlight, with local treats, fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, and more, served on the veranda overlooking the beach. There’s also a great pool and a deck facing the beach, a quiet spot to relax with a cocktail. The location on the Orla Bardot is handy, near the center of Buzios and surrounded by shops and restaurants. There are several good places to eat right next to the hotel, and an evening stroll along the orla Bardot was a nice way to end the day. This feels like a true boutique hotel, put together with personal taste and care. You can feel that as soon as you arrive. The staff were extremely kind, attentive, and helpful, and Host Lia was gracious. We enjoyed spending time with her. The hotel went well beyond what we expected, and we’ll definitely be back.