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Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Castelinho 38, Rio de Janeiro
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By Alison McGowan
July 9th, 2010
I had already passed the Castelinho several times on visits to Santa Teresa but it was friends of mine who stayed there that said it really ought to be part of Hidden Pousadas Brazil. Once I walked inside I began to understand why. Like many pousadas in Santa Teresa this is a beautifully refurbished house which dates back to 1866; the difference comes in the style, the space, the tranquility and the wonderful welcome from Italian owner Marco and friends.
Castelinho 38 has 10 stylish spacious bedrooms with high ceilings, all en-suite together with a 70 sq mtr reception just perfect for the art exhibitions and displays that are frequently held here. From the terrace you get a wonderful view of the city center with Guanabara bay beyond, and sitting in the garden you are surrounded by coconut palms, fruit trees and tropical foliage. All this within a stone‘s throw of the bars and restaurants in the center of Santa Teresa and the picturesque trams which still run up and down the cobbled streets and across the viaduct into the center of Rio.
There are a great many pousadas in Santa Teresa, of all sizes and prices, but for people who want artistic style coupled with space and a great location Castelinho 38 would be hard to beat.
Santa Teresa is a wonderfully hidden part of Rio de Janeiro, perched on a hill between the centre of the city and Zona Sul, where most of the beaches are. Long known for its bohemian culture, and infamous for being home for decades to Ronnie Biggs, of Great Train Robbery fame, the area is a delight of old colonial mansions, and cobbled streets, served by old style trams. The slower, more "alternative" pace of life here attracts artists, musicians and writers, many of whom hang out in the numerous bars and restaurants dotted about the place. For travellers who prefer laid back charm, history and music as opposed to being right close to a beach, it's a wonderful place to stay.
Not To Be Missed
- Bar do Mineiro
- SobreNatural & Espirito Santa restaurants
- Museum with Sugarloaf views: Chácara do Ceu
- Sala Cecilia Meireles for classical concerts
- Taking the bonde/tram to the centre
- Lapa samba and chorinho bars
Starpoints
* exhibitions, workshops on dance and rhythm, music, poetry
* excellent location in central Santa Teresa
*good meeting place for travellers
* Italian style and comfort
Try A Different Place If...
... you want to be near a beach or by a pool
Alison is a British writer, musician, and marketing consultant, based in Rio de Janeiro. She can be contacted on alison@hiddenpousadasbrazil.com. Visit her site at http://www.hiddenpousadasbrazil.com/.
Previous articles by Alison:
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Amazon Tupana Lodge, Manaus, Amazonas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada do Capao, Serro, Minas Gerais
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Luar do Rosario, Milho Verde, Minas Gerais
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada d'Oleo de Guignard, Tiradentes, Minas Gerais
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Chalé Oasis, Galinhos, Rio Grande do Norte
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Bela Vista, Novo Airão, Amazonas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Beijo do Vento, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Agua de Coco, Ceara
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Artjungle Eco Lodge & Spa, Itacare, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Alcino Estalagem, Lençois, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada 0031, Cumbuco, Ceará
Brazil: Maguire‘s Guesthouse, Manaus, Amazonas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, Salvador, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel BeloAlter, Alter do Chão, Pará
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Fazenda Santa Marina, Santana dos Montes, Minas Gerais
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casarão da Amazônia, Soure, Ilha de Marajo, Pará
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casa Mila, nr. Ubatuba, São Paulo
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casa Beleza, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Bambu Bamboo Pousada and Spa, Parati, Rio de Janeiro
Random Ramblings on the Weather in Brazil
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Beijamar, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel 7 Colinas, Pernambuco
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada dos Quatro Cantos, Pernambuco
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Estrela do Mar, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Vivenda, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada da Terra, Minas Gerais
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Mirante de Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada do Caju, Alagoas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada da Amendoeira, Alagoas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Estalagem Caiuia, Alagoas
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Lagoa do Cassange, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Ponta do Muta, Bahia
Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Santa Clara, Boipeba, Bahia
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7/9/2010
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