Gold Avenue Hotel

I stayed here because I was going to an event at UFF Aterrado, and it was what I could afford. The hotel is cheap, and the old, historic accommodations reflect the price. The service was good, and the wi-fi worked really well. It's an easy walk to the bus station, but there are no taxis nearby, so go to the station or call one from your own phone. There is no garage. A room facing the railway can be very noisy around the clock. You can sleep here, depending on the room. Breakfast is just powdered juice, chocolate milk, a biscuit, one slice of papaya, and one buttered bread roll handed to you by a staff member. Ordering food by personal phone is a struggle because most places won't deliver nearby, and there is no hotel phone for outside calls. It's dangerous to walk around at night, so it's better to stay in the hotel after dark. On the street behind it there's a shop with lots of food, snacks, and drinks, so buy things during the day and bring them back. The shopping center is far, though it's a nice walk, and there's an excellent market and produce store along the way.

For the same price, I think pousada Santa Helena is better value. Hotels in Volta Redonda all seem a bit expensive, and this one is pretty average. The good points were cleanliness, friendly service, location, and WiFi. There were several problems in the room, though: the bathroom lock was faulty, a missing pane in the window let in a cold draft, and the tiny bathroom had no glass screen or curtain. The toilet leaked, and the comfortable bed creaked a lot. There were few power outlets, the elevator only stopped on certain floors, and there was no garage. Breakfast was very basic.

I only needed somewhere to spend the night, and this simple hotel did the job. The rooms were cozy, the hot shower really worked, and breakfast was very good. Just avoid a room whose window faces the railway, because the frequent CSN trains make a lot of noise.

I was in town for work, so I stayed because it was what I had for the night. I'm not fussy, but there is a limit: the room and bathroom were dirty, and the blankets smelled unpleasant, almost like mold.