We stayed 4 days at Pousada Morena. The hotel views from the pool are stunning and I would dare to say probably one of the most beautiful in the island since most other hotels dont have an infinity pool. However, the front desk is not as friendly as one would think. On the other hand breakfast staff is very nice and go out of their way to prepare something yummy for the guests. Hotel is accessible for handcapped individuals. Prices are very high compared to other pousadas and overall it was a good stay but not the 4 or 5 star hotel that we expected for the bucks we payed.

We booked 5 nights with a transfer in & out included and from the moment we left baggage area of the airport we were ‘greeted’ by Gabriela who informed us she had not enough seats in the veichle so she could order us a taxi or wait for her to drop the other guests then come back for us. We initially said a taxi after her trying to call a taxi for around 5/10 mins with no luck we asked her the time it would take to get to pousada and back as potentially it will be quicker. It’s 10 min each way. So we decided to wait as we could’ve been left waiting for a taxi for ages in an island we weren’t familiar with. You would think they would have known how many guests would be arriving as per their reservations so why not have a taxi waiting if you know there is not enough seats in the car used to transfer guests?.

Whilst I understand I’m in Brazil I would expect the receptionist of the hotel your staying in to try and speak a little English or atleast apologise for the lack of communication from herself. Despite my partner speaking fluent Portuguese she decided to speak leaving me feel I wasn’t welcomed to talk as I couldn’t speak Portuguese.

When we go to the hotel our passport information was taken and we were asked to fill in a form. The whole welcome was awful. We had travelled 19 hours from the UK and very dissapiinting to say the least considering the high price of this pousada compared to others. We booked this pousada considering it to be better quality given the higher price.

We noted that other guests were offered a welcome drink whilst filling in the form. Whilst we didn’t necessarily want the drink it would be nice to be treated like other guests, instead we were left behind again just like the transfer.

Gabriela gave us our key at the same time as speaking to other guests who could speak Portuguese. We weren’t told where and when breakfast. We were given no basic knowledge of hotel amenities or anything. We were left over the next 5 days to ask what we needed and when we asked Gabriela it all felt like an effort for her to help us. Again she only spoke in Portuguese.

Thank god for Allana another receiptionst when Gabriela wasn’t on shift. She always made the effort to speak the common language between both me, my partner and her English. She was very helpful in knowledge and providing a service such as renting a buggie to get around the island. Even when she couldn’t get the answer she asked for my number and offered to whatsapp me the response.

The room’s were a little neglected (mould/damp on the walls - the sinks had no hot water (making shaving a tricky task, as the shower room had no mirrors) - when asked Gabriela told me in Brazil they don’t offer hot water in the sinks (this is wrong as 2 other hotels in Rio and Buzios both offered hot water in their sinks) the sinks didn’t have any plugs so couldn’t hold water. They finally found us a plug so we could fill a water bottle with hot water from the shower and fill sink finally enabling us to fill and have a shave. We stayed in bungalow 5 whilst it was the ground floor it had fanstastic non obstructed views of the pool and the panorama. Our balcony furniture had a broken zip and stained chair seat. There was no hammock unlike other bungalows situated on the ground floor behind us.

The restaurant staff were very friendly, attentive and helpful. They seem a bit short staffed as when you want a drink etc at the pool you have to go to the restaurant and order the drink (despite them having a bar set up at the pool side, was never manned).

The breakfast was very good, with a large variety of options for all tastes.

We ate 3 times at the pousada (lunch and 2 x dinner) and all 3 times we ate nicely for a average & reasonable price for the taste and quality. The only time we ate badly was the Friday night “festival” it was a buffet priced at 180 r$ per person. The main dish variety was poor, it was a buffet style and we were made to share a table with a very nice couple from America. But they sat us together as we could have a conversation. However me and my partner were quite content on enjoying our final night sat together at a table for us 2. To enjoy the advertised music and poetry. I would miss this night for the price it isn’t worth it.

It’s a shame as the pool and location and staff were very helpful and fanstastic. It’s just the first impression was awful considering we had been looking forward to coming here for months prior. But Gabriela really lets the team down. She gives off an attitude that she doesn’t want to be there or be helping you or it’s all too much of an effort for her. If she doesn’t enjoy it she should really re consider if she likes working in customer facing industry as this pousada will really suffer when she is the one in charge of welcoming. We enjoyed and would return but definitely not to this pousada unfortunately.