ClubeHostel São Francisco

Pretty cool.

I wouldn’t recommend it, and I wouldn’t stay here again. I didn’t like the owner Gustavo, who came across as arrogant and intimidating. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone staying alone either, since there were many times when nobody was at the hostel, which made me feel scared. The room had no ventilation, and I had to climb onto the bed to turn on the light. A room for four people had only two outlets. We weren’t allowed to turn on the hallway or courtyard lights because the owner didn’t like the electricity being used. The air conditioning was turned on after 10 p.m. and off before 8 a.m.; he said guests who booked through booking weren’t entitled to it. I stayed for three days over New Year’s. We couldn’t bring our own drinks, but drinks weren’t sold there either. Guests couldn’t be shirtless or lie on the sofa, though the owner could. One more thing, leaving a backpack before check-in time wasn’t allowed unless you paid for a full night, haha. The three employees, James, Larissa, and Edna, were wonderful. The cleaning was very good too.

The hostel is simple, but the facilities are very clean and well kept. There are three large shared bathrooms, two for men and one for women, and the staff are friendly and helpful. My room had a double bed, a bunk bed, and a cupboard for belongings. The 4G signal isn’t good in the rooms, and the Wi-Fi works well only in the outdoor area. There’s a shared kitchen at the back with a stove, fridge, and table. Breakfast isn’t provided. In the late afternoon they run a bistro serving pizza and drinks, which cost extra. It’s easy to get to, about 1 km from the beach. Shops are near the beach, with nothing closer to the hostel. It’s a great place to stay at an affordable price.

I used to stay there when I needed a place in Niterói, but the service has really gone downhill this time. The women who work there are great, though I can’t say the same about the man, who I found a bit pushy and intrusive. I was disappointed too. I always used to leave my food in the fridge and nobody touched it, but this time a little juice carton I’d left there disappeared. They also left me without air conditioning on my last day. I like the location and the clean surroundings, but I don’t plan to return.