Varandas do Atoll Hotel

The staff were helpful and treated us very well, but the inn needs urgent maintenance. Our shower barely had any water and never got hot. The electronic key to our room jammed, and they couldn’t fix it, so we had to sleep in a different room. The lawn was overgrown, and it was disappointing to see it left that way during Carnival. Breakfast had very little variety, and there weren’t enough staff. On some days they had to stop making tapioca because there was no way to prepare it. The bread was stale, and there wasn’t even any cheese bread. Friends staying with us had a leak on their balcony. The rooms are spacious and the location is good, so the place has potential. They need to take better care of the inn and invest in maintenance.

The room we moved to was better: the Wi-Fi, TV, and bathroom door worked, though its electronic lock kept jamming. Our first room, 307, was cramped because of a pillar in the middle, smelled strongly of mold, and had damp coming through the walls. The bathroom door wouldn’t close properly, and there were no cups or small wastebasket. During a rainy week, water started dripping into the room and made the floor wet, so we had to change rooms. Our clothes ended up smelling bad from the mold. There were other problems throughout our week in Natal. The Wi-Fi in 307 didn’t work, and when we told reception, the woman there insisted it was working, even though it wasn’t. The TV relied on Wi-Fi, so we couldn’t get channels. One day the room was cleaned but no towels were left, used or clean. Breakfast was bad too, with hardly any food and what was there wasn’t tasty or fresh. The ham smelled awful, the bread always seemed three days old, and most of the fruit was too far gone to eat. The hotel is cheaper than some larger ones, but the poor service and discomfort aren’t worth the savings. For the same price you can find other places in the city. Too many bad experiences in one place. Avoid this option.

The staff made the stay really good. The café service was very good for what we booked, simple but just right, and the women working there were so friendly. The doormen were attentive, the pool was clean every day, and the parking right out front was well looked after, with a doorman always keeping an eye on it. The location is good too. I was in Natal this week and stayed at varandas. Natal is wonderful. I've been twice now and will come again.

The room was great, and the location and view were excellent. It was clean too. If I could suggest a few things, I’d add more choice at breakfast, provide shampoo in the bathroom, and clean the pool a little better.