Lindoya Hotel

The place is beautiful and clean, but what I'll remember most is how the people at Lindoyia treated me. After my phone and credit cards were stolen in Cataloa, I was injured, had no money or contacts, and ended up in the hospital. My doctor suggested Lindoyia when I was being discharged, and my family booked a room online once I got in touch with them. I was feeling lost, alone, and pretty low, but the staff really looked after me. They gave me money from their own pockets for food and cigarettes, and let me use the hotel phone whenever I needed to call Ireland and England. They even offered their account details so my family could transfer money and they could withdraw cash for me. One staff member came back an hour after her shift ended with churasco, after she'd already spent the day trying to help with my money problems. Then the owners' daughter happened to be at reception, passing through to say hello. She speaks English and noticed I was struggling to communicate in basic Portuguese with the girls. She offered to help, then took me on a tour of the city in her car. Later, she introduced me to her parents. Her elderly father came over with a walking stick. He didn't speak English, but quietly asked his daughter if I had enough money, then took 100 rais from his shirt pocket and gave it to me for food. I still don't know what to say. I've been to Brasil many times and met wonderful people, but in Cataloa this family and staff took me in and treated me like one of their own. I'll never forget their kindness. This is what hotels should be about.