Medieval Hostel

The location in Botafogo, right in the heart of one of Rio's most charming neighborhoods, is really good, which makes the rest all the more disappointing. I paid for 20 days after he said the power, which had been cut off, would be back. He lied, obviously. I left on the eighth day and he showed no decency by reimbursing me. I waited two months to write this because the experience left me traumatized. It was frightening, dirty, dark, and unhealthy. This man is a scammer, and I don't think he should be allowed to operate as a hostel. He was using drugs all night, there was no light, and an addict lives out back. There's no laundry sink, and the bathrooms have grime that looks like it's been there since the 19th century.

I felt comfortable there with the other guests from different states, so my planned five days turned into a few extra days. I met some really nice, friendly people at this hostel. Joseph, the owner, is always ready to listen and help, and he cares a lot about security and good house rules. The shared bathroom has to serve a lot of people, though, and some leave it dirty, so girls might not like that. Thanks, Medieval Hostel.

This is a spacious old historic house in a good part of Botafogo. It operates more like a boarding house or shared residence for monthly tenants. I'd give it four stars, but it needs some renovations for guests and tourists, and for the comfort of the people living there.

I was shocked at first by how dirty it was. The owner uses a lot of drugs and disappears for five days, so when you need to tell him something, there's basically no way to reach anyone. Nobody cleans, food goes missing from the fridge, and there are lots of bedbugs. The beds are old, and the owner is really rude.