Pousada Vila Flor Maricá

That shower was a real highlight, with hot water and good pressure. The inn is also in a great spot for exploring the area. The place is simple but cozy and peaceful, and breakfast is tasty, with the basics you need to start the day.

The rooms were basic, but they worked for my work trip. The guest service was awful. After a three-hour drive, I arrived with a suitcase and backpack and had to carry everything up to my room on the second floor by myself. Nobody offered a warm welcome or help with the bags. I also got no information, spoken or written, about the inn's rules, hours, or available services. When I asked about laundry, I was told there wasn't any. I later found out from an employee that there was a laundry service after all, though she didn't seem willing to help. Room cleaning was poor too. I had to ask for fresh towels because they hadn't been changed, and there was no hand sanitizer in the rooms. I was staying there for work while my company set up a store in town. I'd come back tired at night and the person in charge was always reluctant to help, while asking about my coworkers. We had never been told in advance what the check-in and check-out hours were. On one occasion, we asked for water and were told we could buy a bottle or use the filter. When my colleague asked for filtered water, the person in charge told him he could get up and fetch it from the kitchen. The reminders about the inn's routine were delivered rudely, sometimes with mockery. The person responsible seemed completely unprepared to welcome guests or manage an inn. I suggest training the staff to understand what it means to serve and welcome people. Investing in the building doesn't help if that basic part of hospitality is missing.

The accommodation was okay, but the rooms needed cleaning. I even had to ask for a broom and dustpan so I could clean mine myself. They first denied that laundry service existed, then we found out it did. Most of the staff, except for one person, were unpleasant and kept asking intrusive questions about other guests and monitoring when people checked in, came in, or went out. After one employee spoke harshly to some guests about something we hadn't been told about, I felt like the rest of us were being watched too. Another staff member came to my room and told me to close the window because she thought the air conditioning was on, but it wasn't. What was supposed to be a work trip, with a little time to relax and rest after work, ended up stressful and unpleasant. Sad.

They were all so friendly, and the place was spotless. Breakfast was delicious, and they even accept meal deliveries for you. I'll definitely be back!