Hostel Algodões

The location and the size and comfort of the rooms give this pousada a lot of potential, but the basics fell short, especially the staff. There was construction in the chalet next door, and they played down the noise. They could have told us beforehand, but we heard nothing. Then we spent a whole day without electricity, so there was no air conditioning or bathroom lighting, and nobody came to explain what was going on. At breakfast, after a hot night with little sleep, everyone carried on as if nothing had happened. The women working there often seemed tense, and we had to ask about everything and go through “her.” Cláudia and Caliandra were the best part of our stay, they were helpful and cooperative. Breakfast itself was just okay, nothing special. In the end, it wasn’t worth the price.

The team was capable and always ready to help, and the rooms and bathrooms were roomy and kept clean. There’s enough infrastructure for solo travelers as well as families. A perfect pousada right across from the beach.

The location is great, and the restaurant across the way was excellent, with really good service. The pousada itself felt neglected, though, and for the rate we paid, which was higher than the two places we’d stayed at before in Praia do Forte and Barra Grande, the service should have been much better. Shame, because the room was spacious and the beds were comfortable. The sheets and towels were worn, and the water had a genuinely unpleasant smell. Towels were changed every three days. After rain left our beach towels wet, I asked for fresh ones and was told, rather reluctantly, that the rule was every three days and was written in the room. When I asked how we were supposed to use wet beach towels, the employee grudgingly asked a colleague to get more, and she went reluctantly too. Ordering food at night was another hassle. One evening the employee took our order with little enthusiasm, then said it was already 8 p.m. and we couldn’t order anything else. The next night, while ordering within the stated hours, there weren’t many choices. I regretted the shrimp pie I got. It was expensive, not tasty, and the pastry seemed old from being frozen. I also ordered my daughter two bread rolls with butter, toasted, and was charged the hot cheese sandwich price. Apart from Gabi, the employees weren’t friendly. They seemed bad-tempered and were on their phones all the time, and at breakfast they seemed unwilling to serve us. Maybe they aren’t happy working there. There was no courtesy. Heavy rain also caused power cuts, and we lost internet and TV.

We hated having to leave and are already looking forward to coming back. The hosts have such a calming, welcoming way about them, and the whole team, Charlie included, was warm and easygoing. The cottages are lovely and cozy, almost right on the beach. It all feels natural and relaxed, like an oasis.