GVR Praia Hostel

My husband booked three nights, but we didn't stay for all of them. We live in Cabo Branco, where our home was being renovated, which is why we made the reservation. On the first day, I reported that the air conditioning was broken. An employee told the owner, who came to our private room and confirmed the problem. We spent the first night without AC or even a fan. She said someone would fix it the next day, so I stayed at the gym because of the heat. When I got back around noon, it still wasn't fixed. I tried several times to contact them and got no reply. Reception said they couldn't do anything because they'd already told the owner. We had spent the whole night in the heat, and they hadn't even offered a fan. When we asked about the AC, the owner said it was just a courtesy. Were we really supposed to pay to stay in a small, stuffy room without AC or a fan in 30-degree heat? We asked for a refund for at least the last night, which we didn't stay because of the heat. She refused. Later, when my husband contacted her again to ask what would happen, she got angry and swore at him. It was really rude and ridiculous of her, especially for someone who seemed so well-off. I don't know what she was thinking. Maybe she thought we lived somewhere else, but we live right here. It was so hot even with the AC; imagine how it would have been without it.

I went alone and felt comfortable in the mixed room. The hostel is welcoming, cozy, and gives guests privacy. There are three organized rooms, mixed, men's, and women's, and each has a keypad lock. Guests get the room code, a key for their drawer, and a key to access the hostel. There are also security cameras. The single bed was comfortable, and the sheet and pillow in the drawer were clean and smelled fresh. The blackout curtain around the bed gives privacy, and there's a power outlet and reading light. The air conditioning runs at 20 degrees from 6 pm to 9 am, and they don't adjust it. If you're sensitive to the cold, bring socks. You have to ask reception for a thicker sheet and pay extra. There are two bathrooms, one women's-only and one shared, plus a fully equipped kitchen. The balcony is breezy and has a pleasant view. When booking, I recommend reading the instructions for a good stay and getting along with others.

Greace Kelly gave me such a warm welcome and was really attentive. The place is wonderful, organized, and clean.

The area is safe and quiet, and the hostel is very well placed in a great commercial area with plenty of shops. It's well organized and clean, with daily room cleaning, a large, fully equipped kitchen, and keypad locks on the room doors. I liked the privacy and comfort of the beds, and the rooftop terrace has a good view. The photos were taken up there. Good value for money, and the internet signal is good too. Recommended!