The house hugs you as you walk in. The natural green surroundings invite you to clear your mind of the hustle and bustle of Rio. The landscaping is impressive with so many varieties of flowers and plants. Diverse and inspiring art adorn the walls and crannies - paintings, sculptures, candlesticks, pepper shakers, tapestries to name a few. Thelma very much expresses her strong aesthetic passion in every spot of this house. A loving and colorful vibe can be felt in the stairs, in the hallways, on the balcony, on the patios, etc.
The house was given to us in a very clean condition. The rooms and bathrooms are utilitarian and unpretentious - great for a good night’s rest to enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors and the rest of the house. The beds are basic. Each bedroom features a small Juliette Balcony where you can enjoy a morning coffee over a book before venturing downstairs to socialize with your family. Thelma and her daughter are very responsive over WhatsApp for any issues such as fixing the Wifi within minutes of messaging her. They are such genuinely caring and loving people so their presence puts you at ease and instills confidence that they will diligently solve any issues that might arise.
Bear in mind, there are lots and lots of stairs, so if you have an elderly guest, you will need to carry them, which we did to good effect using a sturdy, plastic chair. The light switches for the outdoors aren’t the most intuitive, but we figured it out.
Those looking for a special place with soul and a caring owner should consider this house. It is not reminiscent of a modern five star hotel nor is the furniture the latest style. However, on the whole, there is a lot to appreciate about this eclectic place with a sweet, hippie vibe to create many special memories with the people you love. It reminds me of a charming, old pousada that you might find in Paraty. We would gladly stay here again.