Cliffside - Boutique Hotel & Spa

The whole experience was truly amazing. My wife and I were extremely well received by the manager Mr. Paulo Cardoso, who showed us around and let us know a bit of the history of the exquisite house from the 1960's. We got there by bike -- a tandem bike, actually -- and, as usual, the bike itself was a nice conversation starter. We felt really welcome, even in our sweaty bike jerseys. At times we forgot we were guests, actually, so much we felt like friends with everybody there, felt like we belonged. From the moment we stepped in we loved everything we saw. The architecture, obviously, the people, the rooms, the natural pool with the friendly fishes (they will let you in), the vinyl records which we were allowed to play (and dance to) during our dinner, the stunning view -- have I mentioned the view? -- and, last but not least, Chef Andre, a master of his craft, a magician of the oven, a renaissance artist of the stove. No words could describe how pleasant our dinner for two was. Yes, there were only the two of us that night (a German couple arrived the morning after), us and that gigantic moon showering the ocean below with its silver rays. Worth every single penny.

This hotel fell short of expectations. It's not a 5-star venue but an old house with accessibility issues. Maintenance problems and limited staff availability left us dissatisfied. The location wasn't as convenient as advertised. Not recommended for short visits or couples. Issues Faced: Pushy Check-in: Manager Paulo tried to upsell a pricier room at check-in, which was uncomfortable. We were just eager to settle in our room. Room Concerns: Standard room lacked windows and garden view. Upgraded room had maintenance issues, noise, and inadequate insulation. Uncomfortable mattresses. Unreliable Breakfast: Daily delays in breakfast delivery. This was especially inconvenient on the day of our departure when I had informed them in advance of my early check-out time. The chef assured me there wouldn't be a problem, but when the morning arrived, there was no one available at the hotel when I needed to leave. Deceptive Practices: Another disappointing aspect of the hotel was the deceptive practices employed by the manager, Paulo. As the hotel is located in a gated community, I sought advice on transportation to the airport. Paulo informed me that calling an Uber was not possible due to the community's rules and offered the hotel's transfer service for a steep price of 250 reales. I ended up getting an uber for less than 70 reales. In conclusion, the hotel didn't meet our expectations. It's not worth a 5-star rating. For a better experience, consider other options.

Paolo, the property manager at the cliffside property, was exceptional. He was incredibly attentive to the needs of the tenants, and he made sure that our stay there was as easy and comfortable as possible. He was always available to answer any questions or concerns that we had, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that we were satisfied with all of our arrangements. Marcello, the owner, was equally impressive. He clearly took great care in the upkeep of the property, and it was evident in every detail. The property was beautifully landscaped and has a lovely history that made the stay even more enjoyable. Andre, the in-house chef, was truly a gem. He was easily one of the kindest and most welcoming people that I have ever met. He cooked with his heart, and it was evident in every dish that he prepared. Overall we loved it here! They always took the time to chat with us, and he was genuinely interested in getting to know us and making sure that we were happy with everything. It's not too far from Copa and Ipanema but just far enough. Would recommend it to anyone.

This place is a bossa nova dream come true. Has the feel of a lovely guest house…and can be very private if you get as lucky as we did.

We were simply spoiled by the manager and staff. It was like staying at a private estate with full staff to meet your every need. The room and views exceeded all expectations. We can’t recommend the Cliff House highly enough. It makes for a great basecamp with a short drive to all of the sights of Rio

My entire experience was amazing to say the least. The owner is welcoming and greeted me upon arrival. The personal chef is exceptional. It’s located in a gated community and the view is exceptional. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.