OYO Pousada Rio Branco

Really great.

The breakfast was very good, and the woman working in the kitchen was lovely and friendly. The rest of the stay was really unsatisfactory for us. When we arrived, the receptionist was rude and unfriendly. She said there was no parking that day, even though the booking information said parking was available, and told us to leave the car on the street. Only after we insisted did she find a garage below the pousada. When we returned, we rang the bell several times and nobody came. My boyfriend found the garage gate open and the room key on a table. Anyone could have entered, and nobody saw us come in, so it didn’t feel secure. We left with the same receptionist, who looked miserable and didn’t even say thank you, as if she didn’t want to be there. Access is genuinely difficult, with stairs or rocks. It’s a shame, but we weren’t satisfied.

The room was so cramped there was barely room to get out of bed. There was nowhere to put our things except a filthy metal bar for hanging clothes. The curtain touched the headboard, which felt unhygienic and let in light. The bathroom was tiny, had no shower enclosure despite the photo showing one, and the floor was soaked after a shower. There was just one bath towel for our double room, and the shower sprayed against the wall, leaving little room to wash. It was noisy too. Every car passing on the street sounded like it was inside the room. The parking lot was far from the pousada, up a steep street full of cockroaches. Carrying luggage up was tough, and it was even worse in the rain, as it was during our stay. I don’t recommend it. The price was a little lower than other places, but for what they offer, it should cost half as much.

It’s clean and well located in the center, with good service and a really tasty breakfast.