Pousada Imperial Koeler

The breakfast was nice and the pool cozy, and the bed was comfortable, though much too short for me at 1.86 m. The air conditioning worked well but was so loud at night that I had to buy earplugs. It’s a cute little hotel near the cathedral. The staff interaction was what bothered me most. I speak five languages, including English and Spanish, but not Portuguese. I repeatedly told one staff member I couldn’t understand Portuguese, and it was obvious from my face too, yet he kept speaking it, even calling my room, without trying to make himself clearer. I don’t expect staff to speak my language, but when they want to communicate with me, I do expect some effort, especially when it’s clear I don’t understand and couldn’t have learned the local language in two hours.

The location seems convenient and the place looks nice enough, but there were loads of mosquitoes in our room when we arrived. I’ve had the AC running for over two hours and it still feels so muggy that I’m struggling to sleep.

It’s a gorgeous old house, beautifully decorated, with lovely rooms, plants, and a pool. The staff, location, and breakfast were excellent, and it had everything we needed for a great night’s sleep. We’ll be back.

A gorgeous 180-year-old building in a great location. The staff are friendly, and the breakfast buffet is great.