Brasil: Casa 32

After my flights and tours were booked, the last thing left to decide was where I would stay in Rio.  I searched tirelessly to find an affordable place near the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema, however the cheapest room I could find was around $500/night and I would not have even paid $100 to stay at these places.  After much thought, I decided to search for either a boutique hotel or B&B further inside the city.  I figured I could just hop in a taxi whenever I wanted to go to the beach.

I am not sure how I stumbled across Casa 32, but thank goodness I did, because it is hands-down the BEST place I have ever stayed in on any of my travels (and I have stayed in some pretty amazing places).  I was shocked that they still had availability when I inquired, as most places are booked almost a year in advance for New Years.  I knew that Casa 32 was special before arriving, but it definitely blew my expectations away!

Casa 32 has an incredibly rich history that dates back to the 17th Century.  Some very famous people have owned it and several years ago an extraordinary man named Lucio bought the property and with the help of his equally extraordinary daughter, Joana, turned it into a pousada.  While it lies in the center of Rio, you truly feel like you have escaped the city when you are there.  It is located in a small picturesque square, Largo do Boticario, that lies off a main street.  Surrounding the pousada is the Atlantic rainforest and from the grounds you have a view of Christ the Redeemer.  There are 2 suites inside the neo-colonial mansion.  Each one features baroque hand-crafted ceilings and original hand-painted Portuguese tiles.  It is both stylishly and luxuriously decorated.  As you walk up the  sweeping iron and marble staircase to your suite you truly feel like royalty.  My suite consisted of 3 rooms: a living room with 2 couches and bar, a bedroom with a king-size bed, desk and flat screen TV, and a bathroom with a jacuzzi and shower.  Every morning a cook will prepare a delicious gourmet breakfast and in the afternoon she will bake a traditional Brasilian cake and set out coffee and tea.  Upon arrival you will also get a cell phone.

The best part about Casa 32 were the owners, who treated me like family.  They invited me to meals and engaged me in conversations for hours.  At the end of my stay they even invited me to join them on vacation this summer in Europe!

Here are some photos that will allow you to step into the world that is Casa 32 (unfortunately, I did not take a photo of the suite, please see the link above for more photos)…