Estrela dos Anjos

The few positive things: very late check-out (12:00 hours); very flexible amendment / cancellation policies; friendly receptionist, who speaks fluent English; there is A/C, even if it has no remote control in the room (you can only turn it on / off). The location is pretty good (not the neighbourhood): close to "Anjos" and "Intendente" metro stations; you can reach the old city centre in a 25 minutes walk.

This place could be recommended only if you have no other choices. One of the most unpleasant accommodations in Europe. I'll try to be brief: 1. Dreadful smell in the bathroom. It does not smell of sewage - it smells like you are bathing in a sewer. The extractor fan can do nothing about it. 2. Extremely small room. Even if we booked a double room, it was very small for single occupancy. Two thin people cannot walk in the room in the same time - one has to stay in the bathroom or on the bed. Cramped bathroom. 3. Dirtiness. Dirty sheets (with plenty of hair from previous guests), stained pillowcases, stained towels. The bathroom had debris and hair in it. 4. Very small bed, suitable only for people below 1,70m in height. Shabby furniture, which looks like it was bought for nothing from the flea market. 5. The walls are thin, you can perfectly hear the other guests talking, as well as water gurgling from other rooms. The windows aren't double-glazed and the neighbourhood is pretty noisy. 6. Not the neighbourhood I'd like to see (and hear) when being on holiday. In the vicinity there are some houses that are falling apart, but which are inhabited by social assisted persons / immigrants (I couldn't figure out if those houses are illegally inhabited or if they represent social assisted housings). Anyway, walking down the streets in the area does not provide any feelings related to safety / good time. Furthermore, the most persistent smell on the streets in the area is that of cannabis (there are some persons who might enjoy this, but I don't). 7. I don't understand the reviews saying it has a very good price; there are some hostels in Spain, on Camino de Santiago, located in wonderful villages, which offer EXACTLY the same conditions, but for 10 Euros / person / night. Conclusion: avoid it and spend some few extra money (or the same amount) and book a more decent place.