Apê Santos Gonzaga

If you want a low-cost stay in Santos close to the beach, this could be the place. I booked through Booking without knowing what to expect, and the renovated old building, now turned into lots of budget suites, was a pleasant surprise. We had the family suite for two adults and two children. There was a double bed and a sofa bed, both fine. The room was small but enough for a few nights. The bathroom and shower were good. It had a minibar, sink, microwave, electric hot plate, forks and knives, but no pan for a quick meal. There was also a TV, mirror, hangers, and a window looking at other buildings and lots of pigeons. You may need to ask reception for an iron and hair dryer. It’s about a five-minute walk, or less, to the beach and close to Gonzaga’s central area. Our room was clean, with towels and bed linen, and everything seemed in good shape since it’s still new. The old building has been renovated well. There are two elevators, though they don’t handle the weekend crowds, so you might take a few flights of stairs. Reception has frozen meals and a mini-market for emergencies. There’s no Wi-Fi or balcony, and I’m not sure every room has a window. The modern door lock uses a code when you arrive. No parking on site, but they point you to a lot across the street: R$80 a day or R$130 for two days. You can park yourself, or pay another R$50 for them to move the car. I thought that was reasonable, and with luck you can get a good spot. There’s no breakfast, but a bakery inside a small market about five minutes away should do the job. There’s also a foot rinse at the entrance for sand. It’s a good deal if you’re watching your budget and don’t mind some noise or a mix of guests, including pets. We paid R$600 for two nights for four people over a long holiday weekend. At the moment things are all new and the price felt like a Shopee bargain. I’d say it’s well worth it, especially while it’s new, or if they keep it up.