Pousada Veleiro do Porto

My wife and I stayed from October 9th to 27th. I'm writing this because I saw that the owner responds politely. We enjoyed our time in Porto Galinhas, and I knew from comparing prices that the inn was modest. I care more about the number of vacation days than the quality of the accommodation, so I wasn't bothered by the basic setup. I was in room number 5 on the first floor. It's small, with a double bed, a single bed, a little dresser with five drawers, a mirror, and a rail with six hangers. We had to leave our suitcases on the floor. There's also a flimsy little balcony where I could hang wet clothes. The shower caused no trouble, and breakfast was acceptable, though I would've liked more fruit and some yogurt. There are a few simple things the owner could improve. The sink needs to be bigger, and adding a shower would be important. A T-fitting could connect it to the existing water supply for the sink and toilet cistern. The afternoon receptionist especially needs to be friendlier. He doesn't greet you, talk to you, or even make eye contact. When I returned the key at departure, there wasn't even a goodbye, and nobody welcomed me when I arrived. That sort of friendliness matters a lot to a foreigner. The cleaning staff were unfriendly too, and did their work poorly. I shouldn't have to go downstairs to ask for a towel or soap they'd forgotten. In the afternoon, after coming back from the beach and before going out at night, it would be useful to get some information or advice, but the receptionist couldn't offer any. Those small touches could make a big difference. I have no other complaints. If someone wants luxuries, there are other options, obviously at different prices.

The location and breakfast were the only good parts. The reception staff were all unfriendly, always looking unhappy, as if having guests around were a favor. In the afternoon, one man at the desk, I don't know his name, looked so grumpy that I dreaded talking to him. He seemed too lazy to open his mouth to answer. On arrival I was put in a tiny room with no window, no bathroom enclosure, and a musty smell. Water spread into the room whenever I showered. There was no face towel, the sink barely had room to wash my hands, and there wasn't a chair or anything else to put my suitcase on. I asked to change rooms and was told it'd happen the next day, but when I checked again, they said it wasn't possible. After insisting a lot, I eventually got a slightly larger room with a window and an enclosure in the bathroom. The shower was awful, with almost no water coming out, so taking a proper shower was difficult.

I knew at booking that this was a simple inn, not a luxury place. I just didn't expect the room we were given to be so tiny and windowless, with bathroom problems too. The drain backed up when we showered and flooded the bathroom. There was no enclosure, and the toilet was practically right under the shower. When I complained, the receptionist, a young guy, was sprawled on the reception sofa using his phone. He paid no attention to what we were saying and seemed completely unprepared to deal with guests. He only said there were no other rooms available, and the ones they had were all without windows. They moved us to another room the next day. The kitchen and cleaning staff were very polite, and the simple place was clean, with a tasty breakfast. In my view, they need a more capable receptionist to handle guests and problems in the afternoon and evening when the person in charge isn't there.

I stayed for a week with my husband and daughter, and we have no complaints. Everyone was polite to us, everything worked properly, the room was cleaned, and breakfast was perfect, with lots to choose from.