Búzios Beach Resort

Buzios Beach Resort is for those wanting to spend a relaxing vacation by the sea. Located at the end of an empty road, the hotel occupies a vast beachfront area dotted with cute, low buildings topped with terra-cotta tile roofs. A round driveway opens onto a striking lobby housed in an airy space with big windows, pitched wooden ceilings, and rustic wooden furniture and wicker seating. Plants in large pottery vases bring the outdoors in, and round wood-and-straw lamps add a touch of style. Grounds are particularly attractive and include a huge freeform pool (plus two more secluded ones), ample lawns, and big areas for entertainment and sports. Though the beach isn’t the most beautiful in the area, it is sandy and almost private, which allows for a quiet, relaxing atmosphere for those who want to get away from the entertainment and loud music around the main pool. 

Though the property got some updates in 2018, the most common complaint here is the lack of maintenance, both in the outdoor areas (expect broken loungers and cracked tiles around the pool) and indoors, including worn furniture and moldy smells in rooms. The resort draws mostly vacationing families and couples, but its extensive event space make it a good pick for business travelers as well. 

Buzios Beach Resort is in a quiet, rather isolated beachfront area on the southwestern edge of Buzios. The resort abuts Tucuns Beach, a long, pleasant stretch of sand that is almost private, but nothing else of general interest can be reached on foot. Though Tucuns is perfectly nice for sunbathing and a swim, the most popular beaches are between 10 and 25 minutes by car from the hotel, including Geriba and Azeda. The city center is about a 15-minute drive away, while main tourist attractions such as Rua das Pedras and the Brigitte Bardot Statue are about 20 minutes from the resort. The drive to Cabo Frio International Airport takes about 50 minutes, but guests should expect heavy traffic during peak season. 

The hotel features 335 non-smoking rooms spread over dozens of low buildings dotting the vast gardens. Most are set around the main pool, while a handful of units are gathered around smaller pools in quieter sections away from the hustle and bustle of the central areas. Decor is simple but overall cute, with beachy touches such as flowery bed runners in lime-green and pink hues, rustic wooden furniture, and accent walls made with dark planks of wood. These elements balance out the more generic plain white desks made of laminate pressed wood and the white tiled floors. However, there have been many complaints of poor maintenance, such as worn furniture, cracked tiles, and musty smells. 

The main differences between room types have to do with size and location within the resort, but all feature the same amenities, including air-conditioning (units are old and can be loud), small flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, sofa beds, and furnished balconies or patios. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the property, but it can be spotty and unreliable. Some suites and all bungalows have sea views, while all others overlook either the gardens or the pools. Bathrooms are simple and a tad worn in all rooms, with walk-in showers, white tiles, and granite counters. Wall-mounted hairdryers and basic toiletries are also provided. 

As its name implies, one of the main draws at the Buzios Beach Resort is the beach. Although it is not the prettiest in the area, the sand is fine and it is a good spot for swimming and sunbathing, with a handful of loungers and easy access to a bar. The pools are another highlight here. The main one is huge and lined with loungers, and there is music and a bar, lending the property a lively atmosphere. The other two pools are smaller and quieter, as they’re tucked away in the gardens and have no music or bars. The daily entertainment program includes pool activities, as well as sports such as beach volleyball, beach soccer, and archery, and there are tennis courts and a mini-golf course for guest use. Supervised activities for children are offered at the kids’ club daily. 

The gym is light and spacious, with plenty of cardio and strength-training machines and views of the grounds. The spa offers massages and salon services in an attractive space decorated in bright colors and natural materials. There is also a small but lovely indoor pool. The restaurant serves up an international buffet for all three main meals, but most guests find the food just average and lacking variety. The hotel is also home to one of the largest convention centers in the region, with four big halls, two smaller rooms, and outdoor spaces. A business center and free (yet spotty Wi-Fi) are also available.