Vila Santa Teresa is the opposite of a beachfront tower: a small, private house in the hills at Rua Almirante Alexandrino 2305, described as having Belle Epoque architecture and dating from 1970, with just seven suites over two floors. The hotel is listed as a five-class luxury property and scores 9.6 from 129 guest reviews, which is exceptional. The suites come in four types: the Presidential Suite of about 538 square feet with a sea view, the Premier Suite with a city view, the Deluxe Suite with a garden view and the Classic Suite, each with a king bed or twin beds in the larger categories. The facilities are those of a country house in the middle of a city: an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, a full-service spa with a glass-walled steam room, a library, a garden, a terrace, a lounge, a cafe and the restaurant Beatriz, which is listed with ocean views and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with Bar Alberto. Free continental breakfast runs from eight to eleven, wifi is free, and there is free self-parking. An airport shuttle can be arranged for a fee, ordered seventy-two hours ahead. The property is adults only, with guests aged eighteen and under not allowed, and the spa is closed to under-eighteens. It has no elevators, so the upper floor is reached by stairs, and there is no front desk, with check-in from three to eight in the evening and no after-hours arrival.
Choosing a suite
The Presidential Suite has the sea view and is the splurge, the Premier Suite offers city views and the Deluxe and Classic Suites look over the garden, which suits a quiet stay. With only seven suites, availability is tight in the high season and around Carnival and New Year, so book early. Spa and massage sessions need reservations, so arrange them at booking, and card payments are accepted but cash is not.
What the stay is like
Peaceful, private and secluded, a house guest experience rather than a hotel. Mornings begin with breakfast and the hills outside; afternoons suit the pool or the library; evenings can be spent at Beatriz and Bar Alberto. Santa Teresa is a hilltop neighbourhood of artists' studios and winding lanes, and places it close to the Corcovado train station, about eight minutes by car, and a three-minute walk from a tram stop at Largo do Franca.
Note that the Santa Teresa tram is being rebuilt in stages, with limited weekday service, so check the current timetable. Santos Dumont airport is about twenty-three minutes by car, and Morro dos Prazeres is five minutes on foot. After dark, use ride-hailing rather than walking the hillside streets.
Who it suits
Couples on a romantic trip, honeymooners, creative travellers and anyone who prefers a retreat to a resort. It is not for families, for guests who need step-free access, for those who want a beach on the doorstep or for anyone who wants twenty-four-hour service. In return you get a rare mix of privacy, views and character, and a short ride to the Selaron Steps, Lapa and Christ the Redeemer. Compare it with Santa Teresa Hotel RJ MGallery on this site, which is larger and has a more conventional hotel structure.
Why stay here
- ✓Seven suites in a Belle Epoque-style house
- ✓Adults-only property
- ✓Outdoor pool with loungers
- ✓Full-service spa and glass-walled steam room
- ✓Beatriz restaurant with ocean views
- ✓Library, garden and terrace
- ✓Free continental breakfast
- ✓Free self-parking and free wifi
Good questions
Is Vila Santa Teresa adults only?+
Yes. The hotel lists that children aged eighteen and younger are not allowed, and under-eighteens may not use the spa.
Does it have a front desk or an elevator?+
No. The hotel lists no front desk, with check-in between three and eight in the evening and no after-hours arrivals, and no elevators, so upper floors are reached by stairs.
What does it include?+
Free continental breakfast from eight to eleven, free wifi and free self-parking. An airport shuttle is available for a fee and must be arranged in advance.
