10/10 Exceptional
Jul 3, 2019
I'll get the bad news out of the way first. The location is absolutely stunning - but that is a curse as well as a blessing. Casa Marques is up a long winding road, high into Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa was once the preserve of the rich, in the forested hills looking down on Rio. The beautiful houses are still there, some of them converted into boutique hotels (like this one), but some of the spaces in between have been taken over by the less wealthy, and these favelas give Santa Teresa a distinctly 'edgy' feel - to the extent that some taxi drivers refuse to come up the hill. If this is a problem, the hotel has the details for a local taxi co-op who will happily collect you from elsewhere in the city (Santaxi, +55 (21) 25021111). Once you have arrived, the news is all good. the hotel is built around a beautiful (1920's/30's?) house - lots of space and light, with a terrace and small infinity pool on the top floor. the views are to-die-for, with the Corcovado (with the iconic Christ statue) to one side, and the city straight ahead. Our room was large and airy, with the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. Breakfast was fine (cold-cuts, fruit, and omelettes cooked to order) and the staff were friendly and helpful. If you don't fancy venturing out in the evening, they can order take-away food to be delivered. My wife gave me full marks for this one!
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2-night romance trip
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