Chez Georges

We would not typically write a review of this nature, but feel an obligation to do so. A wallet was stolen from our locked room during our stay. There is no in-room safe, a detail not disclosed at booking. The property uses conventional keys with no electronic access log, meaning there is no way to verify who entered the room during our absence. Following common travel advice for Rio, we carried only essentials when going out for the day, leaving a backpack in our locked room with the wallet, including two credit cards, inside it. When we returned, nothing appeared disturbed. The next day, fraudulent charges began appearing on both credit cards within minutes of each other, independently confirmed as card-present by both card companies, which points to the wallet itself having been taken by someone with access to the room. Other items in the backpack were left untouched, meaning whoever took the wallet had to go through the bag to find it specifically. We reported the theft to management. In 32 years of travel, this is the first time we have experienced a theft from a hotel room. One additional issue discovered after checkout: our card was charged in US dollars rather than Brazilian reais at check-in without our knowledge or consent, resulting in a charge significantly above our confirmed booking total. Management was initially defensive when we raised this, insisting the property always charges in local currency. Our credit card bank confirmed the charge was in fact processed in US dollars. Resolving this required filing a formal consumer complaint and engaging a consumer watchdog organization. It was eventually resolved, but only after months of persistent effort. If paying by foreign card, always ask to be charged in Brazilian reais and make sure you see the screen before approving any transaction. The building itself is striking Brutalist Modern architecture in an atmospheric Santa Teresa setting, and reception was warm at check-in. None of that changes what happened during this stay. We checked out June 17, 2026, with both matters initially unresolved. The theft remains unresolved. The billing issue was eventually resolved after months of back and forth with our credit card bank, filing a formal consumer complaint, and engaging a consumer watchdog organization. In our experience, management was uncooperative and ineffective in addressing both issues. Beyond these two incidents, we also found the property lacking in the services and amenities we would expect at this price point. If you are considering a stay here, it is worth knowing there is no in-room safe, so plan accordingly for anything you would rather not leave unattended.

We had a wonderful family stay at Chez Georges. The house is absolutely stunning, and Fred’s team is simply outstanding: welcoming, always smiling, and always happy to help and share great local recommendations. The bedrooms are beautifully decorated, just like the rest of the house, the bathrooms are modern and elegant, and the beds are exceptionally comfortable. The view from the terrace is breathtaking, and the rooftop panorama is truly spectacular. We loved the delicious homemade breakfasts with plenty of variety, and we also enjoyed an excellent dinner on the terrace. And the icing on the cake: if you’re a little lucky, tiny marmosets will come and eat from your hand in the morning when you call them. It’s pure magic!

Staying at Chez Georges was the absolute best way to end a whirlwind multi-week trip through São Paulo, Ipanema, and Peru. Having already done the beach routine during the first leg of my journey, I wanted a serene spot to truly wind down, and Chez Georges fit the bill perfectly. Located in Santa Teresa, it showcases a side of Rio that most visitors don't immediately picture. The architecture—a striking mix of raw concrete and natural wood—is breathtaking, paired with stunning views of the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain framing the horizon. The feel is much more an intimate guest house than a standard hotel, though every room features a private en-suite bathroom. Both the rooms and common spaces are beautifully appointed and curated with incredible detail. From the moment I arrived, Frederick welcomed me warmly and made me feel right at home. While Santa Teresa has fewer late-night dining options nearby, Chez Georges has an on-property chef who cooks fantastic dinners—a total game-changer when you don't feel like venturing back out into the city after a long day of exploring. If you want a refined, architecturally striking retreat in Rio that feels a world away from the crowds, I couldn't recommend Chez Georges highly enough. I’ll definitely be back.

We'd rather not be writing a review like this, since it isn't something we typically do, but a wallet was stolen from our locked room during our stay — and we think anyone considering a booking here should know. There is no in-room safe, a detail not disclosed at booking. The property uses conventional keys with no electronic access log, so there is no way to verify who entered the room during your absence. Following common travel advice for Rio, we carried only essentials when going out for the day, leaving a backpack in our locked room with the wallet, including two credit cards, inside it. When we returned, nothing appeared disturbed. The next day, fraudulent charges began appearing on both credit cards within minutes of each other, independently confirmed as card-present by both card companies, which points to the wallet itself having been taken by someone with access to the room. Other items in the backpack were left untouched, meaning whoever took the wallet had to go through the bag to find it specifically. We reported the theft to management. In 32 years of travel, this is the first time we have experienced a theft from a hotel room. The building is striking Brutalist Modern architecture in an atmospheric Santa Teresa setting, and reception was warm at check-in. None of that changes who has access to guest rooms. This all occurred within a four-night stay. We checked out on June 17, 2026, with the matter still unresolved. Beyond the theft, we also found the property lacking in the services and amenities we'd expect at this price point. If you're considering a stay here, it's worth knowing there's no in-room safe and no electronic key record, so plan accordingly for anything you'd rather not leave unattended.

Amazing stay, beautiful house and caring staff! Will definitely come back when I’m in town.

Stunning views, beautiful architecture and charm in this boutique hotel in Rio. 10/10 would recommend!

Beautiful hotel with the nicest people in charge of guests!!

Wish I could keep this place a secret - such a calm oasis in the middle of Rio. One of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed.

Beautiful hotel. The staff was so friendly and helpful. The breakfast was a nice touch. And being able to walk to the main square so easily was very comforting.