Hotel Pousada Byblos

The hotel stands on the slopes of Morro Humaita overlooking the famous Orla Bardot, a seafront promenade in the centre of the chic resort of Buzios, in the northwest of the peninsula of the same name and 112 mi north of Rio. The Pousada Byblos is just a stone's throw from the bronze statue of French actress Brigitte Bardot. Moreover, the lively Rua das Pedras lies just 400m away. The hotel is nonetheless very peaceful. Allow 2 and a half hours to get to the airport. Cabo Frio international airport is a mere 18 mi away but most of its flights arrive from Brazilian and Argentinean locations.

The German-owned Pousada Byblos is named after the ancient town in present-day Lebanon where the Phoenician alphabet was invented. No special facilities have been designed for guests with reduced mobility. A word of warning: steer clear of the tattoo peddlers on the Orla Bardot promenade and the beaches, as their work is of a poor quality and can harm your skin.

The charming Pousada Byblos used to be a dwelling house and since 1980 has been offering 21 guest rooms and 9 apartments. It is renovated annually. The diamond-shaped swimming pool boasts superb panoramic views over Buzios bay. The solarium terrace is furnished with wooden deckchairs with blue cushions, white fabric parasols, and tables and cushions that have been placed in the shade, perfect for relaxing. Towels are supplied free of charge at reception. The swimming pool snack bar is open from 10:00am to 11:00pm. A stairway leads down to Orla Bardot, the famous seafront promenade running the length of Buzios harbour and town centre. A door with a picture of Brigitte Bardot holding a "Pousada Byblos" sign invites you into the hotel!

The guest rooms in the Pousada Byblos have white tiled floors and are all different except in one respect: their charming romantic decor featuring flowers and paintings on the blue walls, as well as pretty little mirrors. They all have air conditioning and satellite television (lots of channels), a safe with a key (charged), a wooden desk, a mini bar fridge, a direct telephone line, and Wifi Internet access (charged). Their best feature, however, has to be the panoramic terrace with its wooden table and 2 chairs, and breathtaking views over Buzios bay. The basic bathroom is equipped with a fixed shower head, a hair dryer, a toilet, and a few hospitality products. Room service is available 24 hours a day. For an even higher level of comfort, the 2 deluxe rooms have a flat screen television with a DVD player, a whirlpool bath, a magnifying mirror, and a shower with a view.

Snacks are served by the pool all day from 1:00pm to 8:00pm and dinner is served à la carte from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. The dishes consist of tasty Brazilian cuisine, which is served in a bright, airy, and ventilated dining room with a pleasant decor. Looking over the sea, the view of Buzios bay from here is second to none. Breakfast is served from 8:00am to 11:00am. You can choose from a selection of local fruits, fresh fruit juices, and homemade cakes. Don't pass up the opportunity to sample excellent caipirinhas at the bar.

There isn't really a beach along the Orla Bardot seafront promenade, facing the port, but you can still take a dip at the beaches of Praia do Canto, Praia da Armaçao, and Praia dos Ossos. The setting is superb, but your best bet is to head out to the more unspoilt beaches further away from the town centre. You'll find coves for snorkelling (Praia Joao Fernandinho and Praia Joao Fernandes) and a busy beach with breakers for surfers and kite surfers at Praia Brava, an unspoilt site set against a backdrop of cliffs and numerous rocks with a young and trendy vibe. There is also a lawn area furnished with cushioned deckchairs.