Guesthouse Bianca

This was such a lovely period house with preserved original features. Beautiful tiles and crafted wooden floors. We had a large balcony with a view over Rio below us. The hosts were very kind to us- they accommodated us very early after our night flight and helped us settle into Rio. The breakfasts were really fresh and generous- with fruit juices, fruit platters and eggs. Santa Teresa is slightly further away from the main tourist sights but it is a relaxing and peaceful area with stunning views. We still ate out every night in Botafago, Urca, and Ipanema. Ubers were super reliable and cheap- it would only take 20mins to these areas so you could still come home after a day’s sightseeing and relax before dinner. Santa Teresa has a few restaurants, bars and coffee shops so we also had a couple of local afternoons. There is a little local bar on the corner with live jazz music where we often finished our night after dinner in the beach areas. There was so much bird life and botanicals around us as we had breakfast. Gloria metro station is 10-15min walk in the day but Ubers worked out so well that we never did this at night.

I guess it was a little further from some sights and quieter in the evening- but we loved the relaxed atmosphere. As I said, Ubers took us everywhere and didn’t cost much more than public transportation- especially for 2 of us.

Staying with Guido and Francisco in their beautifully redone colonial home was an honor - one of the highlights of our trip. Their kindness, attention to detail, recommendations and cheerful, laid back demeanor were just wonderful. The house itself is gorgeous and our room extremely comfortable, with stunning views and a balcony for practicing yoga or relaxing in the hammock. We also appreciated the daily room cleaning and drinking water refills. We truly felt at home away from home. The breakfast on the patio by the garden was also perfect. We already knew we love Santa Teresa and this stay made it even more special.

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The breakfasts were delicious and beautiful; excellent fresh fruit and homemade juice. The hosts of the house were wonderful! Beautiful gardens surrounded the patio sitting area. I would highly recommend!

I had excellent and warm communication with Guido well before we arrived. Our holiday felt almost like staying over with a friend. The location is extremely convenient -if walking and exploring is your thing....you can walk in minutes to the Selaron Steps or the Parque das Ruínas (recommended), with spectaular views. The property is much more than a a hidden gem, and the magical in many ways, with a glorious mango tree, and orchids and a wide array of plants. The breakfast was simple, nutritious and very satisfying, with attention to what you may need in the morning. Loved the art, marble steps, colonial decor and breathtaking views. I even got to bond with Bianca - the snow white gentle dog!

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