Serena Buzios

The check-in time is 3:00 pm. Arriving at 11 am meant a long wait in what felt like the exact middle of nowhere, with an unfriendly welcome. The receptionist gave us confusing directions, mixing up right and left, and said the scenic area, rua de la piedras, was a 10-minute walk away. It’s 20 minutes by Uber and an hour and a half on foot. It’s also very far from the nude beach, for anyone wanting to try it. The location in Buzios is poor, far from the beautiful part of the village. The photos should be updated because everything, including the swimming pool, looks faded and aged. Breakfast is by appointment: you have to choose 8.00, 9.00, or 10.00, and get only 30 minutes to eat. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

The food is delicious, and both the hotel and rooms are beautiful and clean. The staff are kind and try to help with whatever you need.

The reception staff were really attentive and friendly, and the beach is five minutes away. There’s a good sunbathing area and a nice pool for a dip, with a shallow section that’s great for young toddlers. There’s also a kids’ playground and trampoline. The room was spacious, though its shape was a bit odd. Parking is limited to around seven cars, so I imagine they have to pack them in during peak months. Breakfast was overpriced and didn’t have much selection. I only glanced at the evening menu, but that also seemed overpriced, with little choice for kids. Chicken nuggets for kids were R$50.

I stayed here with my wife and our kids, aged 3 and 4, and everything was amazing. The staff were the best part, always smiling and eager to help. The place is clean, the rooms are nice and clean with AC, and the kitchen is excellent. There’s free beach service on Geribá beach, one block away, with shade and chairs. That alone saves you easily 40 reais a day. You can order food on the beach from the same great kitchen, at a good price. The outdoor heated pool is awesome for the last few hours of the day. Breakfast is included, and it’s really amazing, with a huge variety. They also offer free transfers to a few major destinations in the area, plus happy hour every day. Highly recommend, with or without kids.