Guesthouse Bianca, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
"Beautiful 1930s townhouse in Santa Teresa with Sugar Loaf views"
| Nearest Airport: | Rio de Janeiro - 20 kms | |
| Trip Style: | History + Culture | |
| Pousada Facilities: |
3 bedrooms accepts children, free wi-fi , hammocks |
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| Room Facilities: | 110v; air conditioning, fans, laundry service, minibar, power showers, room safe, TV (cable), wi-fi | |
| Language(s): | English, French, Portuguese | |
| Recommended attractions: | birding, churches, hiking, local handicrafts, museums, night life & shopping, walking | |
| Ideal for: | couples, friends sharing, gay friendly, honeymoon, solo travellers | |
| Price Category: | $$ | |
| Web Site: | http://www.guesthousebianca.com | |
| E-mail: | guido@guesthousebianca.com | |
| Skype: | guesthouse.bianca | |
| Telephone: | +55 21 32331563 | |
| Pousada Guest Book: |
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Note: Where pousadas are off the beaten track, Google maps only show the nearest town, and are not an accurate guide to location. |
About the pousada
Guesthouse Bianca came highly recommended by Alcino of Estalagem Alcino one of our favourite pousadas in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, so I was anxious to see the place, chat to owner, Guido, and sample one of his wonderful cachaças. (It turns out there is no Bianca after all- it is just the name of the house, but the wonderful cachaça did indeed turn out to be wonderful!)
This is simply a beautiful place, a lovingly refurbished, stained glassed, 1930s townhouse in the heart of Santa Teresa with a beautiful Moorish style terrace and portuguese style tiles. There are only 3 guest suites all comfortable and individually designed but the best one (for me at least) is definitely the Sugar Loaf suite with its fabulous views. The idea here is for guests to be able to chill out in comfort and peace in the pousada but also to be part of the local community so although breakfast is included in the price it is actually taken in a local bar.
The whole feel of Santa Teresa is that of a bohemian artistic community and at Guesthouse Bianca you'll only be a stone's throw from some of the best restaurants and bars where spontaneous music mixes with local art exhibitions. Want something different? Then just take nearby transport down into Zona Sul for some beach or check out Lapa and the centre of Rio for some dancing. Altogether you couldn't find a better place to stay in a wonderful location.
About the location
Santa Teresa is a wonderfully hidden part of Rio de Janeiro, perched on a hill between the centre of the city and Zona Sul, where most of the beaches are. Long known for its bohemian culture, famous for being Amy Winehouse's last place of abode in Rio and infamous for being home for decades to Ronnie Biggs, of UK Great Train Robbery fame, the area is a delight of old colonial mansions, and cobbled streets, served by "bondes" or trams, most of which date back over 100 years.
The slower, more "alternative" pace of life here attracts artists, musicians and writers, many of whom hang out in the numerous bars and restaurants dotted about the place. For travellers who prefer laid back charm and history to being right close to a beach, it's a wonderful place to stay.
Not to be missed
- Visit to the historical centre
- Restaurants: Hotel Santa Teresa, Espirita Santa and Marcô
- Bar do Arnaudo and Bar do Mineiro
- Dancing in Lapa (at the bottom of the hill!)
- Jazz at Triboz and Santo Scenarium, also in Lapa
- A buggy trip round Floresta da Tijuca with Dolores
- Parque das Ruinas a couple of minutes from the pousada
Pousada Starpoints
- Tranquil location in the heart of Santa Teresa
- Sugar Loaf views
- Personal attention from owner, Guido
| Try a different place if... you have any mobility problems or if you want to be walking distance from the beach. |
