Chez Georges

Chez Georges, Rio de Janeiro: A Michelin Key Selected Oasis of Design and Serenity

Chez Georges, a Michelin Key Selected property in Rio de Janeiro's bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, consistently earns high praise for its breathtaking design, stunning views, and exceptional service. Guests describe it less as a traditional hotel and more as a luxurious, welcoming home, offering a unique and unforgettable "carioca lifestyle" experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Chez Georges is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating often cited as "wonderful" or "exceptional" (e.g., 9.1/10 from 199 reviews on one platform, and 9.2/10 from 15 reviews on another). Guests frequently express a desire to return, highlighting a feeling of being a cherished guest in a beautiful home. The sentiment revolves around relaxation, beauty, and personalized hospitality.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Design & Architecture: The property is an architectural marvel, a Brutalist structure from the 1970s by Wladimir Alves de Souza, exquisitely renovated with a "transcontinental modernism" blending Brazilian, European, and Asian decor. Every nook and common area is meticulously designed and aesthetically pleasing.
• Stunning Views: The hotel boasts incredible panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and the city rooftops from various vantage points, including the outdoor garden, pool, and a 360-degree rooftop terrace.
• Exceptional Service: The staff is frequently described as incredibly friendly, warm, welcoming, helpful, and professional, making guests feel at home and well-looked after.
• Tranquil Atmosphere & Amenities: Despite its proximity to the vibrant city, Chez Georges offers an immediately relaxing atmosphere, nestled within a lush garden and surrounded by a protected jungle reserve. Amenities include a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, a hot tub, and free WiFi. There's also a pool bar and outdoor seating area.
• Delicious Breakfast: The breakfast consistently receives praise for being "amazing," "delicious," and "excellent with plenty of choices," often served with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain.

3. Room Quality

Chez Georges offers seven luxurious suites, each uniquely designed and named after musicians named George (e.g., George Harrison, George Benson).

• Design and Comfort: Rooms feature elegant accommodations with a blend of Brazilian and European modernism, bold colors, highly textured materials, and rich Brazilian hardwood. Each room is different but equally beautiful, with unique furnishings, many by Brazilian modernist Ricardo Fasanello.
• Amenities: All rooms include air conditioning, a private bathroom, a work desk, a wardrobe, and free toiletries. Some suites offer private balconies with garden, mountain, or landmark views. The master suite features a blue marbled shower and floor-to-ceiling windows, while other suites have spacious showers, some even with views of the forest or Santa Teresa. Guests have noted excellent water pressure in the showers.
• Privacy: The boutique nature of the hotel, with a limited number of suites, contributes to a private and uncrowded feel.

4. Dining Experience

The highlight of the dining experience at Chez Georges is the breakfast, which is consistently lauded as delicious and exceptional, with ample choices. It often features local Brazilian foods like açaí, fresh mango, avocados, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Breakfast is typically served communally, providing an opportunity for guests to socialize.

It's important to note that Chez Georges operates more like a home, and as such, there is no room service or food kept in the hotel beyond breakfast. An honesty system is in place for water and beers in the fridge. Guests are welcome to use the shared kitchen to cook their own meals.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Chez Georges receives outstanding reviews. Guests frequently commend the staff for being:

• Incredibly Friendly and Welcoming: They contribute significantly to the relaxed and homely atmosphere.
• Helpful and Professional: Staff members, like Anderson and Daniel, are noted for providing exceptional service and offering valuable local recommendations.
• Multilingual: Staff members are often able to communicate in English, French, and Portuguese, enhancing the guest experience for international travelers.
• Personalized Experience: A personal guest assistant can help customize everything from breakfast to local tours.

6. Location & Accessibility

Chez Georges is strategically located in the bohemian and upscale Santa Teresa neighborhood, high on a hilltop, offering a secure oasis with stunning views.

• Neighborhood: Santa Teresa is described as a colorful, chill neighborhood bustling with Brazilian vitality, featuring galleries, museums, restaurants, and bars.
• Attractions: The hotel is a short walk from the Escadaria Selarón (approximately 1 km) and close to Flamengo Beach (about 2.6 km or 1.6 miles). Nearby attractions also include the Modern Art Museum and Sugarloaf Mountain. Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach are also popular attractions relatively close by.
• Transport: While located on a hill, navigating the city from Santa Teresa is generally not difficult, and ride-sharing services like Uber are readily available. It's approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from Santos Dumont Airport (a 12-13 minute drive). The Largo do Guimarães Tram Stop is a 3-minute walk away. Some guests mention that the location can feel "isolated" and a bit far if frequent trips to the beach areas like Ipanema are desired.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific pricing can vary, a 1-night stay for two adults at Chez Georges has been observed to start around $406.49 to $511, excluding taxes and fees. Guests often consider the experience "worth the price," particularly for the unique design, exceptional service, and stunning views. However, at least one review mentioned that while "everything is good," they didn't "think it's worth the price," suggesting a varied perception of value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points have been noted:

• Lack of Room Service/On-site Food Options: Beyond breakfast, there are no other meal services or snacks readily available at the hotel. Guests can use the communal kitchen.
• Location can feel isolated: While cherished for its tranquility, some guests found the hilltop location in Santa Teresa to be somewhat isolated, particularly if they wished to frequently visit the beach areas, requiring a bit of planning for transportation.
• Minor details: One guest wished for small touches like water in the room at night or being offered water by the pool, and suggested heating the bread at breakfast.
• Lack of Clear House Instructions: One reviewer mentioned that a more thorough explanation of how to use the house facilities would have been appreciated.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. georges.life
3. palmsandbricks.com
4. ahotellife.com
5. michelin.com
6. booking.com
7. trip.com
8. booking.com
9. tablethotels.com
10. almasdelsol.com
11. georges.life
12. expedia.com