BARA Hotel Joao Pessoa

Ba’ra was the heart of our wonderful 10-day trip around Brazil. I can’t think of a better place to stay in the country. We arrived jet-lagged, but right away it felt like stepping into a warm Brazilian home. Our lovely driver, Matheus, spoke perfect English and picked us up at the airport with coconut water for the comfortable ride to Joao Pessoa. At the hotel, everyone greeted us with smiles and more coconut water. Fair warning, it’s easy to get hooked. They settled us into spacious, comfortable rooms without a fuss. The greenery and open, airy spaces bring the outdoors in and make the decor feel like an elegant garden. The beds had soft sheets, and we had a walk-in rain shower, fluffy towels and extras for the pool. WiFi worked well, though I’d encourage you to unplug. Tambau Beach is just steps away and visible from the room. Breakfast had a huge range of delicious Brazilian food: made-to-order omelets, waffles, tapioca cubes, carne, cakes and pastries of the day, plus amazing chocolate chip cookies. The rooftop heated pool looks out over the sea, a lovely place to relax with coconut water or a cocktail. The family-owned hotel has a peaceful, luxurious feel and a welcoming atmosphere. Little ones are warmly received too, with a supervised playroom with a ball pit and obstacle course, along with kid-friendly menu options. For food, Orama rooftop restaurant serves excellent local dishes and drinks for a fine-dining meal, while IOCA café offers the same great food at breakfast and more casual dining throughout the day. Try the pistachio pizza! Joao Pessoa is a beautiful historic city, with long sandy beaches around the bay and a river on the other side. My daughter and I travelled alone, and nobody bothered us. We felt safe walking along the clean beach path and around the old city. The views are breathtaking and make it easy to relax. You can visit the old town, stay near the beach, rent bikes for the safe coastal bike paths, or spend a day in the north or south of the city, where there are tall cliffs and places to snorkel. The friendly front desk staff at Ba’ra can help plan a nice itinerary. I almost don’t want to tell people about Ba’ra because it feels like a hidden gem. The guests were couples and families from Brazil, all friendly and respectful. Be part of the experience and you’ll leave with a little piece of Brazil in your heart.

Despite the clever Instagram ads, this property was a huge disappointment. We spent New Year’s there expecting a great stay, but it was a mess from beginning to end. Service was painfully slow, even when the restaurant was nearly empty and we only wanted a drink. Staff also tried to move us from our table, saying it was reserved for someone else, although we’d already paid a substantial amount to stay. The rooms looked old, with cheap stucco walls and beds that were uncomfortably hard, and the amenities were poor quality. Room service took over two hours and got our order wrong. They promised a free meal to make it right, but it never arrived. The New Year’s dinner had been advertised as a grand party, but the food was terrible, and plenty of other guests complained too. The downstairs restaurant seemed to serve only older guests, while younger people were sent upstairs, where we had to pay an extra fee to get in. At checkout, we were shocked to learn the additional charge for our guest was twice what the manager had first quoted. A few kind staff members did admit the hotel had shortcomings, but otherwise the whole experience was horrendous. There are much better hotels nearby, right on the beach and with fantastic food. If you want a five-star stay, do your research and find somewhere better. There’s really only one five-star place in this town, and this isn’t it. Avoid this place at all costs unless misery, bad food and uncomfortable beds are your thing.

The modern architecture really stands out, and I liked the rooftop pool. The gym is on the small side, but the equipment is nice. Our room was good, the food was great, and the service was very attentive. The location is perfect. I’d definitely stay here again.

The location puts you right on the beach in the heart of town, close to restaurants and shopping. The concierge can also help arrange tours. We’d eaten at both of the hotel’s restaurants before staying, and seeing some of the property made me want to try it. We weren’t disappointed. The hotel has 122 rooms, and Guillherme told me that “Ba’ra” means “ocean” and “Orama,” the rooftop bar and restaurant, means “view” in Tupi. Our room looked elegant, though it was a little small. The bed was large and well made, but not as comfortable as I expected. The cotton linens were incredibly soft. The bathroom was roomy, with an even bigger shower and great water pressure. We had cotton robes, complimentary spumante at check-in, and petit-fours waiting in the room. Private parking was free. Breakfast was included, with choices like mimosas, eggs Benedict, and smoked salmon. Other facilities include a cute kids’ space, a warm rooftop pool, a 24-hour gym with great machines, a spa, and free bicycles. Most of the staff were incredible. At Iocá, maitre Murilo and our waitress Valeria were excellent, and Ulisses, the mixologist, knew an astonishing amount about making drinks. Aquila was a friendly, professional hostess. Guillherme at reception could answer all my questions about the property, and Luciano at the entrance was charming, friendly, and helpful. There were other employees I’d like to praise, but I can’t remember all their names. The hotel had only been open about four months, since October 2022, so I think they were still working out some kinks. Both restaurants are open to the public for lunch and dinner, but service can be hit or miss, so a meal could be great or terrible. Lunch has always been good for us; dinner, not so much. Still, the hotel’s future looks promising.