Apa Pau Brasil Hotel

The hotel has a romantic, tropical hideaway vibe. The Caravelas Beach -- with a beach pavilion -- is a popular venue to host weddings. The hotel features a small lobby area, and a good size restaurant --  furnished with rustic style wood furniture -- overlooking the ocean. An adjacent game room and pool bar feels empty, but provides a chess set, foosball table, and billiards table; it's usually empty, even on rainy days. The small, but stylish, Shiva Studio Yoga and Ayurveda, is a well-trafficked hang-out and includes a beach pavilion overlooking the waves. Beach furniture looks dated and some of it is broken. Overall, the vibe feels almost magical due to the serenity and yoga facilities, but much of the property is poorly maintained. 

The Travel Inn - Apa Pau Brasil has a remote tropical rain forest location. It's situated inside a protected Regional Park for the Brazil-tree (Pau Brasil) and the surrounding forest features a variety of birds and monkeys, even some snakes. The hotel is situated half way along the road that connects the cities of Búzios and Cabo Frio. 

The resort town of Búzios can be reached in 20 to 30 minutes by car. As the hotel has an isolated location, with no public transportation nearby, most guests arrive with private or rented cars. However, the hotel organizes occasional free minivan trips to Búzios. This previously sleepy fishing village was turned into a fashionable tourist resort in 1960s after the visit of the French actress Brigitte Bardot. It offers a charming scene with old cobblestone streets, Colonial period villas, old churches and a charming beach boulevard. It also features great dining and shopping, particularly for swimwear.

The Caravelas Beach --  just a few steps down from the hotel -- has a tropical, isolated, and private beach feel. Another nearby beach is Tucuns (good for surfing), which can be reached in 10 minutes by car. The international airport of Galeão is about a three hour drive away and the domestic airport of Cabo Frio (with limited service) can be reached in 20 to 30 minutes.

The Travel Inn - Apa Pau Brasil offers 34 guest rooms in two categories: Standard and Deluxe. Size and decor are similar, but the Deluxe Rooms offer the best ocean views. All rooms come with ceramic tile floors and white ceilings. They feature romantic, rustic-style furniture. Fresh flowers -- placed on the bed and in the bathroom -- welcome guests. Ceiling fans, air-conditioning, a minibar, and safe are standard. An open area behind the bed holds a shower and toilet. Basic toiletries are provided. Large balconies are furnished with wooden chairs and a table. Wear and tear is evident, but overall, rooms are clean. 

The hotel offers a nice size restaurant that faces the exceptionally beautiful Caravelas Beach. The restaurant serves a hot buffet breakfast -- included in the room rate -- and also a la carte meals for lunch and dinner. The pool area has a bar, and during the summer months (mid-December to the end of March) the hotel offers bar services at the beach. Wi-Fi is free both at the public areas and in the rooms, however, guests have complained about poor, spotty signal. Laundry service is available, and the hotel offers free parking.

The hotel features a relaxing spa and yoga classes are offered at the beach. The pool area is spacious, and again, offers great beach views. Staff can assist guests wishing to take tours, boat rides, or transfers to the airports of Rio de Janeiro.