Nautilus Apart Hotel

Right by Ponta Negra Beach, this hotel is in a great location. A couple blocks up from the beach and in a safe area. However the building is beat up! The common areas are old and worn and the rooms are worse. The staff is nice and friendly, but I would probably go elsewhere for the price.

We spent nights in Nautilus and for the first one we booked the horrible room out of the main flat, very small but good price for backpackers. The second night we asked during the check in to get the more economic room, even the horrible of the first night, the receptionist promised us the get a discount paying by cash but the day after, when we moved to our new room which was an apartment but we didn t ask for such space, the anunced us that we had to pay the normal price. The owner told the 2 girls that we had to pay this or we leave. We wetn to speak with them and the woman was really unprofessional and impolite, she didn t want to hear what the receptionist promised us... don t go there, you will find much better in Ponta Negra !!!

The hotel has an excellent location in Ponta Negra near the principal street and within walking distance to the beach (although steeply downhill), as well as restaurants, mini stores, bus stop, etc. The room had a pretty effect with its stone faced counter and wall that hid a sink and frigobar behind (see photo). My room was basic and comfortable though it did not have a balcony. From the terrace on the top floor, which includes a small pool, there is an excellent view of the Ponta Negra beach including the Morro de Careca (steep sand hill). The reception staff was helpful in booking both of my buggy tours. However more than once I arrived at the closed door of the main entrance to the hotel and no one was present at reception so I had to ring the bell and wait for it to be opened. Neither of the times was it late at night nor was I in a hurry so it wasn´t that much of an imposition. However I was a little bothered by the towel policy since only 1 (well used) bath towel was provided (and no hand towel - I asked for one but they didn´t have them) and the policy is to only change the bath towel every other day so as my stay was for 2 nights, I had to continue using the same towel after each shower which didn´t always dry completely between uses. There is also a sign in the bathroom that states that sheets are only changed every 3 days though that I didn´t mind since I was the only one sleeping in them. The breakfast has a lot to be desired and is especially in need of improvement of the weak coffee which is what I most look forward to in the morning. Only one type of fruit is provided per day though I happily found that it was papaya on my second morning. I found the hotel had both its advantages and disadvantages.