Hotel Pousada Experience João Fernandes

The name says it all. Hotel Pousada Experience João Fernades -- which changed its ownership and name in 2013 -- feels a bit like a hotel, and a bit like a "pousada," a Brazilian guest house. The outside looks like a hotel. However, the intimate size for a hotel (30 rooms) allows for more personalized service that may remind guests of the experience at a small, local pousada. Renovations to the restaurant, lobby, and rooms took place during 2014 and 2015. The new look -- for example in the lobby lounge -- is plain, but clean with shiny ceramic tiles. The lobby features a sofa set with floral textiles, but like the hotel as a whole, the overall look is a bit spare. The room decor is quiet, offering a lot of beige, brown, and grey tones.

The hotel is located just 300 meters from the picturesque and popular João Fernandes beach. The area is commercial filled with pousadas, hotels, and some private villas. The beach  -- among the best in Buzios -- offers a sheltered area to swim, snorkel, or just relax. There are chairs and sun umbrellas to rent, as well as snorkels, scuba gear, and stand-up paddleboards. The beach gets quite busy and crowded in summer months and on long holiday weekends. Expect casual kiosks; street vendors selling bikinis, cold beer, and prawn skewers; and some beach restaurants and bars.The immediate neighborhood has a couple of decent restaurant, some bars, and tourist shops. The nearest bus- or minivan-stop is a five-minute walk away. Minivans run regularly to Buzios downtown, about a five-minute drive. The downtown offers some good dining options: seafood restaurants, grills (called "churrascarias"), local kilo-kilo restaurants, fast-food outlets, bars for sunset drinks, and some ethnic options. The heart of the city is Rua das Pedras (translation: Stone Street), which gets filled with visitors and partiers, particularly on weekend evenings. It also features several boutiques selling famous, locally made Buzios bikinis and beach wear. Buzios offers some pretty decent art galleries as well. Some are located a bit further away at Porto da Barra, in Manguinhos.

The hotel offers 30 clean rooms in three categories: Standard, Superior and Family. Most are equipped with one double and one single bed, but the Family Rooms can fit up to six guests. They have a spare and airy if somewhat plain look. Expect ceramic tile floors and a mostly white color scheme; many rooms have green accent walls and subtle palm tree motifs, while others have touches of beige. All rooms offer AC, safes, minibars, and 32-inch LCD TVs. The small bathrooms are clean, with ceramic tiles, walk-in showers, basic toiletries, granite countertops, and a hairdryer.Each room has a good-size balcony that offers a plastic table and two chairs. Most have pool and/or ocean views.

The pool area features tables, chairs, and some loungers, as well as João Fernandes beach views. The game room has a billiard table, video games, and a bar, which was under renovation when we visited. Adjacent is a steam room. The hotel offers a second-floor restaurant that serves a breakfast (included in the room rate). It also offers a la carte and occasional buffet meals for lunch and dinner. Room service is available from late morning until late evening.Wi-Fi is free both in public areas and in the rooms. The hotel provides laundry service and free parking in front of the main building. The front desk staff also handles concierge services, and sells tickets to Buzios city or popular boats tours. Staff members can also assist guests needing transfers to Cabo Frio International Airport or Rio de Janeiro (where the larger Galeão International Airport is located).