Villa Laurinda is a Victorian mansion originally built in the 1880s. Today, it features brilliant, original wall paintings, antique Portuguese ceramic tiles (azulejos) and some beautiful, antique wash basins. The public areas have maintained old Colonial world charm with a stylish mix of original modern art and some funky furniture, like a black leather therapist's sofa and a striped armless chair. White Eames-style chairs are placed around a circular table. Outside, the garden grounds are lush and well-maintained. Kids are welcome here, but the romantic vibe draws more couples than families. 

The neighborhood of Santa Teresa offers both old world charm and an artistic scene with its many galleries, cafes, and excellent restaurants. The district is home to winding cobblestone streets, steep hills, and breathtaking views over Rio de Janeiro and the Guanabara Bay. Only 10- to -15 minute walking distance away is the famous Lapa district, well known for its music, dance halls, and street side bars that get busy during the weekend.

Some taxi drivers (including at the airport) do not want to take guests to Santa Teresa, as the area with narrow and winding roads can be confusing and street signs are missing. The famous yellow Bonde tram -- the symbol of Santa Teresa -- is expected to return to business by middle of 2105. 

The Villa Laurinda offers rooms with shared bathrooms and suites with private bathrooms. All are named after famous samba-schools of Rio de Janeiro. Rooms vary in size from quite small to spacious, but all come with high ceilings and hardwood floors. Some rooms can sleep three guests, while others have just a single or a double bed. The shared bathroom (one bathroom for four rooms) is spacious and clean. It has a stall shower and wood vanity. Suites feature elegant decor and beautiful private bathrooms. All rooms have dark wooden floors and high ceilings. Rooms have exquisite details, such as old leather suitcases, book collections, or primitive masks from Africa. Note that only some of the suites have air-conditioning, while all of the rooms are cooled by fans. During peak seasons (New Year, Carnival) the owners offer extra suites located in their private residence next door. 

Villa Laurinda features a good size swimming pool in a beautiful tropical garden setting. Adjacent is a sauna (currently under maintenance) and a self-service bar. The open-air breakfast room has nice views and serves a free buffet breakfast. There's a home-like lounge with bookshelves, flat-screen TV, and comfortable sofas along with a desktop computer that guests may use freely. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's laundry service (for a fee), but no parking.