Bahiamarela Boutique Hotel

The Bahiamarela is a stylish boutique hotel that's popular with both families and couples, mostly from South America. Overall, the vibe is tropical, romantic, and friendly. Cozy public areas feature locally made rustic furniture, colorful striped and floral throw pillows, and Asian-inspired accessories in the form of Buddha statues. White and brown curtains hang from wooden beams and orange pillar candles add a splash of color. Outdoors, there's a beautiful patio topped with a thatch roof and set with cushioned benches. Garden grounds incorporate native plants and flowers and there are stunning views of the bay. Expect lots of steps and no elevator. 

The Pousada Bahiamarela is built on a hillside to take advantage of beach and bay views. Just across a small street is João Fernandes Beach, among the most popular and sought after of the more than 20 beaches located in the Armacão dos Búzios Peninsula. It offers clean, turquoise water and white sand. The beach features casual kiosks serving cold beer or caipirinha drinks, and couple of restaurants. Boat-rides are available, as well as snorkeling and scuba trips.The neighborhood offers some decent restaurant choices, but no major shops. Thus, a trip to Búzios downtown is required for those seeking fine dining, nightclubs, bars, and shopping. A drive to Rua das Pedras, the heart of Búzios, takes about five to 10 minutes. The nearest bus-stop is about a 10- to 15-minute walk. Buzios city offers a good selection of boutiques and is famous for locally designed and made beach and swimwear. The next bigger city -- Cabo Frio -- is about a 40-minute drive away. It has shops, malls, some excellent beaches, and diving shops. A small domestic airport has limited service; it receives charter flights from Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile during the Southern Hemisphere's summer months of December through March.

The Pousada Bahiamarela offers 26 guest rooms in three categories: Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, and Master. Each is bright and cheery with white walls and tile floors, plus pops of yellow on the bed. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, and free Wi-Fi are standard. All rooms include an unfurnished balcony, but not all have ocean views. Clean bathrooms include showers and basic toiletries, hairdryers must be requested. Upgrade to the Master Suite for a private whirlpool. Room service is available mid-day through the late evening. 

The Pousada Bahiamarela offers a cozy restaurant with views to the pool and the sundeck. Hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, and a la carte meals are available for lunch and dinner. The adjacent pool bar offers tropical drinks and snacks. The pool is gorgeous and has spectacular views of João Fernandes beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The sun deck is set with several sun beds, and a quiet corner has semi-private day beds.A small spa provides treatments, a steam room, showers, and a relaxing area. Free towels and kayak rentals are available for the beach. Limited parking is available, though it does fill up, forcing some guests to find street parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The front desk staff sells city and boat tours, and snorkeling and scuba diving trips; they can assist in organizing airport transfers to Cabo Frio or Rio de Janeiro airports. Laundry service is provided for a fee.