Socialtel Lapa — Restaurant in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

Some thoughts on my 4 months staying at Selina Lapa:

FACILITIES This is a bright spot. If you are looking for the social environment of a hostel without the typical dirtiness of hostels, Selina is perfect. Since this is an old hotel, you'll find all different types of spaces in the building. A large cafe area for the lobby, a spacious rooftop to hangout and have drinks, where you'll find tenants and locals, a decent coworking space with a balcony. There is no shortage of space here, and you'd be hard pressed to find a place as spacious as Selina in downtown Rio. Additionally, all of the areas are clean and well maintained.

STAFF The staff is probably the best part of staying in Selina Lapa. They are all very attentive, friendly, happy to help out in any way. Daniel, Juliana, Arthur, Victor, Gabriel, Felipe, Deb, Nathan, Fransisco, Gaby, just to name a few. The fact that I remembered so many names is a testament to how friendly and helpful they are. If you need help with recommendations around the city, help with Portuguese, help with logistic problems(figuring out how to do certain things in Rio can be tricky!), room cleaning, room changes, or if you just want to shoot the sh*t, they will do everything they can to make your stay in Rio better.

TENANTS/COMMUNITY It is incredibly easy to meet people here, so don't be shy. Head up to the rooftop, grab a drink, and strike up some conversation. Almost everybody I met here is interested in going out to party, doing some daytime activities around the city, or finding some new places to eat. You will find that there is a good mix of Brazilians and foreigners staying here, so you shouldn't have a problem making friends with both.

NEARBY This is one of the only downsides of staying here. Although centrally located and close to many amenities, Lapa is dirty and often dangerous. There are many homeless around and you'll have to get used to beggars approaching you regularly. With that being said, Lapa is party central, and if you are in Rio to party, you will do plenty of it while staying at Selina. You can get a giant caipirinha for 5 reals (1 USD) right in front of the building. In addition to the nearby parties, you will also be very close to Santos Dumont Airport (about 6 reals by Uber), many restaurants (check out Artesenal or Braseirinho), the Sunday market in Gloria, Santa Teresa, a Ymca and a smartfit, a laundromat.. all within close walking distance. Just be cautious if you are walking alone at night or early morning, because robberies (and sometimes violence) do...

Poor service. I expect this behavior from a worked out mom exhausted from a 12h work shift - not a receptionist that works with service. He said thou that this is the policy of the hotel, so let's not blame Ed the receptionist - blame his manager that has made this policy. Let me take it from the beginning.||The night before check-out, me and my girlfriend were out dancing salsa and enjoying night life in the city that never sleeps.||Following morning we still had salsa in the blood. Feeling good, feeling life. Before continuing to Bruno Aires Argentina we decided to visit Copacabana beach. We went down to reception to leave our backpacks. ||Ed the receptionist welcomed us with a grin, with a tired demenour he gave us the forms to sign. We attached one paper to the backpacks and kept the other for ourselves. ||He followed us to the storage room, which was approximately 6meter from the reception. We put our backpacks on our backs and followed him. So far so good.||1hour later.|Because of salsa still pumping in our veins we forgot to bring our swimsuits to the beach. Paying R40 + R40 taxi ride to get back to Selina Lapa Hostel - and this is we’re the hostel's managers policy begins.||Ed the receptionist tells us that he can not walk 6meter to the storage room and bring out our backpacks for us to get our swimsuits. Either we take our backpacks now or they stay in the room. This because "I can not walk back and forth whole day, policy of the hostel". A sentence with some contradiction, is it not? He is too lazy to walk 6meters, or is it a policy of the hostel? I am a little confused I must say.||Well, we asked three times but like I said in the beginning - if the policy of the hostel is poor service, let them have it. But I have paid considerable less for hostels, but have never had a problem picking up some forgotten thing from my own bag.||What about rest of the hostel then? | - the view from our room was a concrete wall and garbage cans. Well, 50euro per night - you be the judge. For me it is OK. ||- The breakfast in the morning was 20euro for 3 pieces of toasted bread (nothing on), 10 grapes, 2 mouthful of unknown fruit and juice and coffe (the coffee was great thou). You be the judge if this is a reasonable price. Even in Sweden, where the rents are rocket high, this is considered a rip-off price. But what do you think?||Well, receptionist without decency and rip-off prices. If that is what you want, welcome and have...

Poor service. I expect this behavior from a worked out mom exhausted from a 12h work shift - not a receptionist that works with service. He said thou that this is the policy of the hotel, so let's not blame Ed the receptionist - blame his manager that has made this policy. Let me take it from the beginning.||The night before check-out, me and my girlfriend were out dancing salsa and enjoying night life in the city that never sleeps.||Following morning we still had salsa in the blood. Feeling good, feeling life. Before continuing to Bruno Aires Argentina we decided to visit Copacabana beach. We went down to reception to leave our backpacks. ||Ed the receptionist welcomed us with a grin, with a tired demenour he gave us the forms to sign. We attached one paper to the backpacks and kept the other for ourselves. ||He followed us to the storage room, which was approximately 6meter from the reception. We put our backpacks on our backs and followed him. So far so good.||1hour later.|Because of salsa still pumping in our veins we forgot to bring our swimsuits to the beach. Paying R40 + R40 taxi ride to get back to Selina Lapa Hostel - and this is we’re the hostel's managers policy begins.||Ed the receptionist tells us that he can not walk 6meter to the storage room and bring out our backpacks for us to get our swimsuits. Either we take our backpacks now or they stay in the room. This because "I can not walk back and forth whole day, policy of the hostel". A sentence with some contradiction, is it not? He is too lazy to walk 6meters, or is it a policy of the hostel? I am a little confused I must say.||Well, we asked three times but like I said in the beginning - if the policy of the hostel is poor service, let them have it. But I have paid considerable less for hostels, but have never had a problem picking up some forgotten thing from my own bag.||What about rest of the hostel then? | - the view from our room was a concrete wall and garbage cans. Well, 50euro per night - you be the judge. For me it is OK. ||- The breakfast in the morning was 20euro for 3 pieces of toasted bread (nothing on), 10 grapes, 2 mouthful of unknown fruit and juice and coffe (the coffee was great thou). You be the judge if this is a reasonable price. Even in Sweden, where the rents are rocket high, this is considered a rip-off price. But what do you think?||Well, receptionist without decency and rip-off prices. If that is what you want, welcome and have...