Pousada e Hostel Holandês

Beautiful property, cosy cabins and super friendly staff.

The breakfast was really good, their fresh cakes and fruit were amazing and the coffee was really good, and actually hot. The staff were friendly, as were the cats, and the setting was very pleasant. The difficulty of the walk has been overstated by other reviews! It’s maybe 5 minutes to town. I really liked the fact that the towels were fresh every day and the bathroom was spacious!

The bedding (sheets, pillows, pillow cases) had quite an off-putting odour - they smelled like dried sweat and mildew under a layer of washing powder. I think they were changed each day, maybe?, but they always smelled. The wifi didn’t really reach our chalet, which was odd given how close it was to the main building. The noise at night of drunk people screaming, chatting, and unfortunately, having a sing-song with the guitar, was really frustrating and went on each of our 5 nights until after midnight.

​I chose this place because it was recommended by my hostel in Rio, and the online reviews are excellent. However, I feel the high rating doesn't quite reflect the actual experience, especially considering the price. ​First, the location: walking from the port to the property takes about 15 to 20 minutes up a very steep hill with suitcases or backpacks. It is quite secluded, which can be a plus if you want peace and quiet, but it’s something to keep in mind. ​The outdoor area is beautifully landscaped with great seating and chill-out areas. However, I was disappointed to see trash lying in the grass that wasn't picked up by the gardeners or staff. (While it’s worse that people litter in the first place, or that the wind blows it in, the staff should definitely keep the grounds clean). ​Lastly, regarding breakfast: there is a nice buffet setup, but you actually have to order bread and cheese directly from the staff. Nobody informed me about this, and I only found out later, which was frustrating.

​For a hostel with such a high rating and price point, I expected standard modern amenities. Unfortunately, there are no power outlets by the beds and no privacy curtains, which is a downside for comfort. No soap in the bathroom.

It was cool aesthetic

We got private room but it was sooooo small. Bed is small and uncomfortable. Pillows are not good