Vila Galé doesn't disappoint you. From the moment you arrive, you are treated with respect and that warm welcome to Rio. This is our second visit. We chose the renovated antique rooms, high ceilings, with "garden view". Some on the first floor, so do bear in mind there are steps to carry your case up, or if a senior, this because lots of Cruise passengers choose to stay here, close to the port terminal of Mauá. Perhaps choose the modern rooms with lift access would suit better. The breakfast is excellent! Airy place, plenty of tables and food Brazilian breakfast to it's best. To pass the time, the picturesque swimming pool is not only a picture perfect but also warm to swim and catch a bit of sun by the umbrellas, whilst getting the waiter to bring you some refreshments. There's a small shop selling women's "light clothes" with Brazilian fabrics and bright flowers and colours. Check in is 3pm but they can store your bags, also on departure, as check our midday. Nothing is too small to please customers. I really recommend here. And we had dinner as well, not included in the rates, but not disappointed either. A brilliant chef coming up with a simple but delicious menu. The area didn't disappoint. A barber opposite, chemists and 3 big supermarkets (turn right from the reception around 15 min walk. One interesting thing was to find that the supermarkets are cash only or pix payments that I don't have a clue what it is. I just want to point out that the location of the hotel is excellent to explore Rio, walking out catching that Uber to Sugar Loaf is as easy as close. A big thank you to the manager, that made me feel at home. If you arrive very early, and they have rooms available, you can go to your room but will pay 1/3 of the rate. It was a saving grace for us as we don't sleep on planes. And the breakfast (not that we were hungry, was good to have a bowl of fruit and tea then crash in bed. Worth asking.

High ceiling renovated antique rooms

The pool is superb! One of the best I have been in, gorgeous and very attractive and large. The breakfast was generous, the location is really terrific for exploring downtown and Lapa area though there are many homeless just around the corner, but I would not say it was unsafe.

Nothing, I knew pretty much that the area was not the best, but the hotel facilities, property and staff made up for it. I definitely recommend this place.

The property is beautiful and as pictured, we had a ground floor room leading onto the pool. The room was large and the bed huge and very comfortable.

The staff, it took around 15mins to get a drink at the pool bar or the restaurant. We often had to go and remind the staff about an order. In general the staff at the property seem uninterested in assisting, any question we had was an inconvenience and often we didn’t get an answer. The only staff that were very helpful were the cleaning staff who were fantastic and worked tirelessly.

The property is surprisingly beautiful. You feel safe inside although the street outside might seem a little ugly and confusing. Very nice pool and ambience at night. Very well located if you’re looking for downtown Rio agenda.

I wasn’t able to park my car in the hotel for the parking was full. The hotel was really crowded because of a show happening in Rio. So I had to walk several meters with all my luggage in order to get to the hall. Also there was a huge line on breakfast. As I told you, it was really full. The check in/out took too long because of the long line. I’ve waited for almost 30minutes to be able to check in/out.

The only hotel I've ever stayed that you pay seperate service fees when checking out. It honestly feels like a cash grab. You would think the services would be included in the price of the stay like most hotels.

Breakfast was great. It was well-located for the nightlife of Lapa and downtown sights, which is what we wanted when we stayed there. The area itself is a little sketchy at night but the hotel itself is an oasis of charm. We stayed in a suite which was well worth the splurge! Breakfast was great and so was the gym. Staff were really helpful with baggage and booking taxis etc.

Only one small thing - and not strictly to do with the hotel facilities: we booked a city tour through the hotel. We thought it would be in English. It wasn’t. The tour guide only spoke Portuguese and didn’t know anything about the sights we were visiting. He had to keep Googling. It was fine as a taxi service and efficient and safe way to visit the sights of the downtown, but less if you want any depth or can’t get by in Portuguese. I have seen others complained about the queues at check in/check out. We were actually lucky and didn’t have long waits but I did see long lines at late hours and felt sorry for the new arrivals.

If you stay in the old part with the most expensive rooms: very large , wonderfull old wooden floor,,40-50 m2; pool area spacious . I could change the room facing the quite noisy street

1.) no security if you stay in the old part- Checked it several times during 5 nights.It is Lapa!!!and nobody would realise an assault. The reception is about 50 m behind the staircase of the old part 2.) pool area all times with music 3.)for a tropical country very poor choice of fruits and of bad quality

All above expectations. Such an ideal location for the centre of town and the Santos Dumont Airport. Restaurant is superb, breakfast in the morning, your omelette cooked fresh in front of you and so much choice of foods to eat you will do well to avoid being carried back to your room absolutely gorged. Ha ha

I actually preferred the rooms in the tower block than the pool side rooms. Don’t get me wrong its nice to go straight to the pool ,lobby or restaurant from your room but the tower block rooms are larger and you get a table and chairs.

The location was great, an easy walk to beautiful Santa Teresa and to the nightlife of Lapa. Staff were friendly and helpful, the pool area and poolside bar were great and it felt luxurious and peaceful in the middle of Rio. My bedroom was huge (and a huge bed!) and there were so many layers to this hotel (spa, shop, bars etc) I didn't even have time to explore them all. I loved staying here.

My only very minor issue is that there was a lack of tea/hot water at breakfast. They existed as provisions but often ran out and weren't replaced. But I'm being a very picky British person who loves a morning tea!

Lovely, quaint hotel with central pool area with old style accommodation around and tower block at other end. Lovely room located in old part with ground and 1st floor rooms. Tastefully appointed, lovely high ceilings and wooden windows and shutters. Good breakfast selection, buffet style with eggs cooked to order. Lunch a similar setup.

Location is a bit run down, only negative point.