In the know
- Our favourite rooms
- All the rooms are furnished with Brazilian art and design, and hand-painted murals. Bungalow Jabuticaba has a private terrace with verandah, plus its own minibar. Maritaca and Beija-Flor both have access to the verandah; the other two rooms are only for booking in conjunction with main rooms, by families who are happy to share the bathroom between them.
- Packing tips
- Don't bother with a beach towel – use the canga provided, like a true Carioca.
Current offers
- Smith card offer
- A cachaça kit, complete with shot glasses
More photos
Relais Solar
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil[view map]
- Style
- Colonial outside, boho Brazilian inside
- Setting
- Laidback Santa Teresa
Located atop a cobbled hillside street in bohemian Santa Teresa, Relais Solar proudly offers a new hotel concept that the owner has described as ‘creative tourism’. More than just a cheap-chic bed for the night in pretty surroundings, it gives its guests the opportunity to enjoy food or drink tastings, local arts workshops and community tours. The furnishings are all handmade in Brazil, and the colourful arts and crafts on display throughout are for sale.
Need to know
- Rooms
- Five, including one private bungalow.
- Rates
- Individual room reservations (BRL165–595, including breakfast, not including taxes at 15 per cent) are only available for stays taken within 30 days of booking. Full house rental (sleeps up to 13), BRL2,000–2,500. Three-night minimum stay.
- Check-out
- 11am, occasionally flexible.
- Facilities
- Garden spaces, hammocks. Entertainment room with TV/DVD/CD, wireless broadband and a computer with Internet access. Massage and beauty treatments on request.
- Poolside
- Hot tub with jets.
- Also
- No pets (Una the labrador rules at Solar). Smoking allowed in the gardens. There's a nine-passenger Defender available for tours. Ask about gastronomic, arts and community tours: the hotel people run their own creative tourism agency.
Food & drink
- Dress code
- Relaxed Rio style.
- Hotel bar
- There's no bar, but staff will happily bring you drinks on the tropical garden terrace. There is also a 'make your own caipirinha' honesty bar, fully stocked with cachaça, plus wine, beer and spirits, as well as snacks.
Also worth knowing
- Children
- Owing to the artworks in the house, under-10s must be supervised, but children are warmly welcomed, and staff can direct you to fun activities in the city. Extra bed, US$30; cot, US$15. 'Bilingual babysitting', US$10 an hour (min four hours).
Smith Members offer
A cachaça kit, complete with shot glasses
If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).
Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member
Book this hotel
To book this hotel please click here, or contact our travel team on 1 866 610 3867.
Relais Solar
Ladeira do Meireles
32 Santa Teresa
Rio de Janeiro
20241-340
