Venit Barra Hotel

For the price, it’s unbelievably bad, and I don’t get how it has such a high rating. The facilities are old and poorly maintained, the rooms are small, and breakfast is below average. The pool only stays open until 5pm. They advertise a sauna, but it’s just a tiny steam room that only works on demand. The “wellness area” is next to very loud AC ventilation, and nobody on staff speaks English apart from reception. There’s nothing within walking distance either. It’s comical how bad it is. Sadly, our booking can’t be refunded. I’d avoid it.

If you’re going to the nearby arena, staying here might be worthwhile. Otherwise, the bathroom floods, the internet barely works, and the pool shuts at 5pm. The spa and sunbed area is beside the ventilation and unusable. Breakfast is modest, and coffee costs extra. Prices are inflated during events, so you can get something nicer for the same money.

I booked this for day use through an app while looking for airport hotels. The hotel was nice and the staff were helpful, but it’s a very long way from GIG airport.

A birthday cake delivered to my room was a lovely surprise, and it was tasty too. That thoughtful touch really showed how much the staff care. They were courteous and friendly throughout. Some spoke both languages, and those who didn’t still made an effort to communicate with tools like Google Translate, which I appreciated. The hotel is quiet and was a peaceful place to unwind after tours and excursions. I felt safe walking around during the day. There’s a supermarket within walking distance, the beach is a short Uber ride away, and a fantastic restaurant just five minutes away on foot that I visited a couple of times. Uber works well here, and there are plenty of other good restaurants nearby. The property was extremely clean and well maintained, with modern amenities that made for a comfortable, relaxing stay. The views are amazing too. Breakfast was excellent before early excursions, and I ordered room service twice. I recommend the burgers and Caipirinhas, both were delicious. A couple of small additions would help: irons in the rooms for longer stays, so guests don’t have to rely on dry cleaning, and a traditional washcloth for those used to having one. I had a fantastic vacation stay and would absolutely return. The service, convenient location, and thoughtful touches made it an easy place to recommend.