Les Jardins de Rio

A friend suggested this boutique hotel, and we're so glad we chose it. We've seldom had such a calm, harmonious stay, and it became one of our best hotel decisions. It's a lovely Rio base for exploring the city, with a peaceful place to unwind between outings. We're already looking forward to coming back.

There was often nobody at reception for much of the day, and the room keys were left unattended. We had no hot water, and the old air conditioning blew dust around. I ended up with bronchitis from the dust. This isn't a hotel, let alone a boutique hotel. Skip it.

The hotel is full of character, with beautiful decor, and would be a great fit if you're into art, interiors, or architecture. Our room was comfortable, the staff were kind and helpful, and we loved spending time on the balcony and around the property. We also saw beautiful wildlife, and overall we were happy with the experience. A few things could use attention. The property seems not to have been renovated for a long time. There were very few outlets in the room, and most were already being used. The shower curtains and wood floor needed some care, though none of this made our stay unpleasant. A few small fixes would help the place shine. Breakfast was nice for the fresh juice, but could have been better overall. It doesn't start until 9, which felt late. On our first day they asked if we wanted scrambled eggs, but they didn't on the following days. Also, if you're a light sleeper, be aware that a nearby club plays very loud music on Friday and Saturday until well into the morning, probably around 7. We struggled to sleep after getting back, and personally wouldn't stay over a weekend again.

The house has beautiful architecture and a gorgeous garden. Breakfast was lovely, the neighborhood relatively quiet, and we felt safe. The air conditioning worked well. There were cleanliness problems in the room and bathroom: hair on the rather greyish sheets that wasn't ours, moldy grout, and ants. Water wouldn't drain from the shower or wash basin. Management said Rio de Janeiro's pipes were originally built too small. Hot water lasted only about 10 minutes, so we couldn't take consecutive showers. There was also a lack of organization on several occasions. The value for money was disastrous. We stayed over New Year's Eve, the night before, and the night after, and ended up paying only about 20% less than the five-star luxury hotels directly at Copacabana. The hotel's bank charged a high transaction fee that we had to cover, but we never saw evidence of that charge. For your information, there's a chain bell at the entrance to ring if you don't have the main entrance lock pin.