Castelinho38

Aguas de Março

2010-03-06T16:00:00.000-03:00

Aguas de Março/ Waters of March is a famous song by Tom Jobim, singing about the usual rain during the month of March, the end of the summer here in Southern Emisphere...
It s seems like that after a very hot and dry summer the month of March will be particularly wet, during the last week in Rio we had rain almost everyday and the weather forecasts do not look so good for the following weeks.

It s always more and more difficult to predict the weather changes and when it is not raining temperatures are still over 30 degrees, but for those of you who are packing their bags on the way to the marvelous city, do not forget your rainy gears...

Coldplay in RIO

2010-03-03T11:01:00.000-03:00

Last sunday at Sambodrome the tour "Viva la Vida" of COLDPLAY has arrived to performe for their brazilian fans. The arrival of the english band happened just when the hot summer of 40 degrees ended and temperatures dropped untill 19...a real coldplay for cariocas.

The brazilian tour has been organized by the production company Time for Fun, where our previous manager Fabio is now working. Despite the rain the show has been a success and the crowd enjoyed the band perfomance of 2h30. Rio is finally getting back to a world artistic and music circuit, so we really hope to see big names of music and art performing soon.
We didn t get to the show, the cheapest price was above 100 Euro..

Giants invasion in Rio!!!

2010-02-26T18:34:00.000-03:00

At the beginning of this month, coming from Holland the Giant Jan.

Staying with us for 8 days, a giant smile with giant ideas and a giant heart, took proof of our country on a realistic way, visiting by himself some parts of Rio. Interested on understanding a little bit of our culture and our reality, he got really great experiences by himself and principally shared a little with us.

After a few days travelling around Brasil, he finally came back to us, now with a very special and pretty Giant girlfriend named Petricia! Invasion of the giants completed!

It was a pleasure to have our hotel invaded by this sweet giants!

For them, we send through this blog a Giant hug, hoping that they have a brilliant live and come back again soon!

Castelinho38 Staff.

Aussie NRG!

2010-02-23T16:22:00.000-03:00

After a long conversation through e-mails and lots of excitement, they finally left Australia and arrived in Rio.

Long lasting talks over our balcony and bar, tour around Rio, visiting a favela and watching live the Carnaval parade at Sambódromo, this friendly guests left us with a sense of "wanting more", mostly because of the energetic way they felt and saw our country.

One of the most beautiful things of working on a Hotel is this variety of human sample we see coming and leaving our lifes: we have the opportunity to watch our own reality through other people`s eyes.

For this ones, we thanks for the energy they passed to us, to our city and to our schools of samba at Sambódromo.

We hope to see you again soon!

C38 staff.

GUESTS OF THE MONTH!

2010-02-17T16:14:00.000-02:00

They arrived in Rio from Argentina, after a long trip: plane from London till São Paulo, there to Santiago de Chile and Valparaíso (Chile) and from there on, by boat to Argentina, Paraty and finally Rio.
Despite of the heat (over 40ºC almost every day of this month) and suffering a little bit to adapt to this, they went to Sambódromo Parade, sharing with our people this good vibrations they have inside! For sure gave good lucky to us and to the schools of samba!

Angelina and Dusan, a beautiful couple, easy going, simpathic, open mind, funny and happy...fiting in with our Country and with our Hotel at this period: Summer, laughs, heat, sweat and Canaval.

We hope to host them again as soon as possible!
C38 staff.

Heaven on earth

2010-02-09T18:18:00.000-02:00

This saturday 6th of Febrary, our breakfast had an special sound...the Carnaval Block (bloco de Carnaval) "Céu na Terra", with musicians playing inside the Bondinho .
Watch the crowd at our bar, over the balcony is a very exciting experience. Take a look (sorry, but because of the distance, the pic is not that good)!!

And then, the train follows ahead with the crowd and passes at Largo dos Guimarães, central point in Santa Teresa, when our guests can comfortable go outside, down to this square (4 minutes walking) and take proof of the great event that is to see this crowd wearing fancy clothes and following the train singing and jumping...so, this second picture is to show the view from the slope that connects our Hotel to Largo dos Guimarães:

We hope you come to join us at this especial period of the year so, here it goes some of the "Blocos de Carnaval" program this weekend:

Thursday - 11/02 - Banda da Rua do Mercado - 4pm till 10pm - Rua do Mercado, Praça XV, Centro.
- 11/02 - Badalo de Santa Teresa - 7 pm till 01 am - Largo das Neves - Santa Teresa.

Friday - 12/02 - Embaixadores da Folia - 5 pm till 11 pm - Avenida Rio Branco, Centro.
- 12/02 - Afroreggae - 7 pm till 12 am - Arcos da Lapa - Lapa.
- 12/02 - Carmelitas - 2 pm till 7 pm - Rua Dias de barros - Santa Teresa.

Saturday - 13/02 - CÉU NA TERRA - 6 am till 12 pm - Praça Odilo Costa - Santa Teresa.
- 13/02 - Bola Preta - 7:30 am till 1 pm - Avenida Rio Branco, Praça da Cinelândia - Centro.
- 13/02 - Zé Pereira - 1 pm till 4 pm - Escola de Música Villa Lobo - Lapa.
- 13/02 - Aconteceu - 2 pm till 8 pm - Largo das Neves - Santa Teresa.

Sunday - 14/02 - Cordão do Boitátá - 7 am till 4pm - Rua do Mercado - Praça XV - Centro.

Beyonce comes for CARNAVAL !!!

2010-02-05T12:34:00.000-02:00

Beyonce, one of the world's biggest divas is now in Brazil with the "I am... Tour".

After her show in Florianopolis, where 25.000 people vibrate with her dance and music, she will be presenting in São Paulo (6/2).
Finally, on the 7th she will arrive at Rio de Janeiro, where she will give us two wonderful shows (7 and 8/2).

Beyonce had requested 30 rooms for her personal staff of 45 people, including her band Suga Mama, and 40 pizzas after each show. All dressing-rooms need to be painted in white and 25 degrees.

The performance in Rio will be in the HSBC Arena, in Barra da Tijuca.

There are tickets available for monday 8th. The price vary from R$95,00 to R$750,00 .

The tour will end in Salvador in Carnaval eve, on the 10th.

We hope Beyonce feel the brazilian heat and visit us frequently!

For more information about the tickts: www.livepass.com.br

I really don't want to miss it!

Carnaval "blocos"

2010-01-23T20:07:00.000-02:00

Carnaval block "Cordão do bola preta" - at Rio Branco Avenue - Center of Rio de Janeiro city.

Carnaval`s parade in Rio de Janeiro (with the Samba-enredo being played) used to happen for several years, all over the main streets of the Center of the city (Presidente Vargas and Rio Branco`s Avenue).

After the 80`s (1984), the great brasilian architect Oscar Niemeyer created along Sapucaí Avenue, the Sambódromo - popular called the apotheosis of the Samba.

But over the streets of Rio, other kind of rhythm has being played since 1920`s until 1960, when it begun to be substituted by the Samba-enredo, the “Marchinha de Carnaval“, who was responsible for the Carnaval on the streets along this 40 years.

Carnaval block "Carmelitas" - Santa teresa - has this name because of the Carmelita`s monastery, here in Santa Teresa

The first Marchinha music was created in 1899 – “Ô abre alas” by Chiquinha Gonzaga (also a great Chorinho`s composer during the 30`s). The idea was to make something like a military rhythm but faster, so as people could make a group and march behind the singers and players (group named Carnaval BLOCOS) and also keeping the Carnaval philosophy of plea, creating lyrics with double senses and jokes with politics, social behaviors or woman`s social situation, for example.

But fortunately it has grown again…so, ladies and gentleman, we present to you the “BLOCOS DE CARNAVAL“ , already playing on our streets during the weeks before their official parades, singing “Marchinhas de Carnaval” over the rails of the train in Santa Teresa, following our small yellow “Bondinho“, or walking over our main streets, not only here on our neighborhood but all over Rio de Janeiro.

Carnaval block - "Céu na Terra" - following the rails of the bondinho (yellow train that crosses Santa Teresa).

So, wear your fancy goods and come to Santa teresa to join us, beacuse here is already Carnaval time!!

Premio MATTADOR

2010-01-22T12:59:00.000-02:00

During Xmas we had the pleasure to host Laura Modolo, a contemporary artist from Trieste during her first (but not last) visit in Brazil. Laura is promoting the first international prize called "Mattador" for young screenplay writers, dedicated to her son Matteo Caenazzo, who recently passed away.

The last term valid to endorse the script is 15th of April 2010.
The price will be given on the 17th of July in the theater "La Fenice" in Venice.
To know more about the competition check the page: www.premiomattador.it

Sambodrome Rehersal

2010-01-17T11:23:00.000-02:00

Star World Championship

2010-01-14T10:30:00.000-02:00

This is a great news for all the sailing lovers and unique opportunity to follow the best sailors worldwide: Over 80 teams are registered for the 2010 Star World Championship, which takes place from 12-23 January.

International teams have been training in Rio for months and are praying to the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain that theirs will be the team to wrest the title from 2009 World Champions George Szabo and Rick Peters (USA).

In addition to taking home the Star World Championship Trophy, one of the most coveted in all of sailing, the winning skipper is awarded the honor of displaying a gold star on his main sail.
Brazilian teams are going in forces to win the title in the local winds and waters...good wind!

for more information check this link: http://www.sailing.org/star-worlds-2010.php

Almost Carneval!

2010-01-08T15:59:00.000-02:00

Almost Carnaval!!!!

Janeiro has just began and Rio is already boiling with samba...as usual!

Since December, in SAMBÓDROMO (the place where Carneval official parade happens) essays of the schools of Samba are for free and opened to public. The place is amazing, open air and cold beer being sold. A very good opportunity to feel, out of period, a little bit of the Carneval vibrations and sounds.

Sambódromo`s essays Calendary:

Jan - 09th - Saturday - At 8 PM - G.R.E.S.Porto da Pedra.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Portela.

Jan - 10th - Sunday - At 7 PM - G.R.E.S. Santa Cruz.

At 8 PM - G.R.E.S. Mocidade.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Salgueiro.

Jan - 16th - Saturday - At 8 PM - G.R.E.S. Caprichosos de Pilares.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. União da Ilha do Governador.

Jan - 17th - Sunday - At 7 PM - G.R.E.S. São Clemente.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Viradouro.

Jan - 24th - Saturday - At 8 PM - G.R.E.S. Mangueira.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Unidos da Tijuca.

Jan - 30th - Saturday - At 7 PM - G.R.E.S. Estácio de Sá.

At 8 PM - G.R.E.S. Porto da Pedra.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Portela.

Jan - 31st - Sunday - At 8 PM - G.R.E.S. Grande Rio.

At 10 PM - G.R.E.S. Vila Isabel.

Sambódromo`s map

Other good opportunity to hear some samba is MANGUEIRA...the first school of samba in Rio, created by Cartola, one of the greatest samba`s composer.

So...wear the green and rose of Mangueira`s flag and come to RIO!!

Mangueira`s headquarter

Residence Monte Alegre

2010-01-06T14:33:00.000-02:00

With the arrival of 2010 a new option of accommodation has born in Rio- Santa Teresa, not far from C38, it is an old house just renovated and refurbished after 6 months of works and transformed in 7 small studios-flats units.

Residence Monte Alegre welcomes those who are looking for a long-term stay in town, providing all the necessary infrastructure such as en-suite bathrooms, kitchen and fridge facilities.
All units are independents and all different to each other conserving an ancient charm on the wooden floors, stairs and ceiling.

Several common areas, as big patio in the back and the varanda at the entrance overlooking one of the most characteristic street of Santa Teresa, with the "bonde"(electric tram) strolling just in front of the house, as well as local shops and bars are at walking distance.

Residence Monte Alegre is the right opiton for those who want to be indipendent and self catering in Rio, with all the recommendations of C38 staff. To know more about it just visit this blog: http://residencemontealegre.blogspot.com/

Welcome 2010

2010-01-01T15:33:00.000-02:00

Happy 2010!!

NEW YEAR!!

2009-12-25T20:10:00.000-02:00

To give us a beautiful and spontaneous New Year`s message, we chose the Guests of the month of April 2009`s recent message!

The Irish couple Richard and Cathy went during their Honey moon on April 09 to stay their last days in Rio with us.

It`s a great pleasure to receive couples during their Honey moon, and it`s also inspiring.

But specially this couple gave us a great gift!!

So...we have the pleasure to present Aisling...she was born on December 2009 and is probably a little Brazilian, because she was Made in Castelinho38!!!

Long life to you Ailsing, we hope you grow healthy and have a very happy life, making your parents proud of you!

We hope to meet you soon, personally.

Love, peace and hope to everybody!!

Happy New Year!

Castelinho38`s staff.

Master Suite LIMOEIRO

2009-12-24T23:50:00.000-02:00

Our old mini-apartement Limoeiro has been recently improved and transformed in a Master Suite, still a mezanine but now with two queen size beds and a little bathroom, a staircase is taking on the second level.

The room is ideal small groups or families, or for those who like to have their own big bed and can share a room.
The special stair to climb was first designed by Santos Dumont for its summer residence and it is known as "the enchanted".

Limoeiro Master suites has Air Conditioning facility and a nice view over the rua triunfo and the south tower of Castelinho38. Merry Christmas, Feliz Natal!!!

Xmas time

2009-12-22T07:30:00.000-02:00

Merry Christmas to all and happy holiday season from all Castelinho38 staff. We d like here o wish a great Xmas to our guests and friends, while Europe and North America have been hit by a very cold front, here the summer has just started...and the living it is easy...

Mangueira

2009-12-15T10:11:00.000-02:00

Carnival is about to take off and all samba schools have already chosen their last music, now is time to practice and get thousand of crazy people involved in this musical religion...

Mangueira estacao primeira..the first samba school of Rio, saturday night rehearsal is a must for those who d like to have a little taste of Carnival, and also to see a real community get together..
check it out...strongly recommended

RIO Capital of Football

2009-12-09T19:24:00.000-02:00

Flamengo is the champion of this year Brasilian Football, the last match of the season has been dramatically important to define who is going to be the king of football among 4 teams( Flamengo,Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Cruzeiro ).

Flamengo got the title winning 2 x 1 the home game against Gremio (Porto Alegre) with Maracana Stadium completely packed of supporters. After 17 years "Mengo" got its 6th title.
At the same time 2 others traditional teams of RIO were struggling to survive in the First Division, Botafogo beat Palmeiras at home and guarantee his place in the top of brazilian football.

Fluminense F.C. got a terrible match in Curitiba, where both teams were depending on a good result to survive, the 1 x 1 has been enough for the heroes of "tricolor" who made the greatest stripes of 11 positive results(7 victories and 4 drows) for a team that had 98% of been declassed in the middle of the season . According to the players and the specialists of football a fundamental role has been played by Fluminense supporters that has always believed and carried the team. Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Football and sunday 6th of december will be remembered for long time.

Gardi Hutter

2009-12-03T17:31:00.000-02:00

A really special guest at Castelinho38 has her premiere today, at 9:00 p.m, at Caixa Cultural – Rio de Janeiro, with the solo play “The point“.

Arriving in Brasil after a long tournee all over Europe during November, Gardi Hutter with her caracter “Joana“. Actress in comic theatre productions, solo shows, clown theatre, 12 culural awards, 24 countries visited in tour with more than 2.800 presentacions, internacional reference in Clown art : www.gardihutter.com ; Gardi arrived at Castelinho38 thanks to Pedro de Freitas from Periplo Production, who has already came several times with different artists and theatre productions.

Information for the show:

de 03 a 06 de dezembro (de quinta a sábado às 21h e domingo às 20h)

Caixa Cultural – Teatro Nelson Rodrigues

Av. Chile, 230 – Centro

Ingressos: R$ 20,00 – 10,00

Felix Dia do Samba

2009-12-02T16:05:00.000-02:00

Our young guest FELIX ejoyed his visit in RIO and the company of our dogs...Today in RIO is the official day of SAMBA...Daddy Nico and Mummy Samy have left a lot of saudades of Santa Teresa and are now back in Ibiza.

Guest of the months for November, congratulations to you guys!!!!

Delux Palmeira

2009-11-24T17:32:00.000-02:00

Our new Delux Suite Palmeira is offering a wide mezzanine, with panoramic window and huge bathroom downstairs, a comfortable queen size bed and Air Conditioning facilities upstairs.

Ideal for honeymoon, business and executive stay, the Palmeira Delux combines old high ceiling (almost 8meters) with stunning views over the city centre, santa teresa and Guanabara Bay.

The special stair to climb was first designed by Santos Dumont for its summer residence and it is known as "the enchanted".
Palmeira is the main tree we have at the entrance of the hotel, and together with Mangueira is now the most "exclusive" room in our premises. Check it out!!

High Life-British Airways Mag

2009-11-16T11:00:00.000-02:00

If you happen to fly with British Airways, on their on board magazine High Life of October, you ll find a page reveling "the secrets" of Rio de Janeiro. Several "locals" have been given their tips of what to do, where to go, what to eat....when it comes to the item "where to sleep" the actor and poet Michel Melamed has mentioned Castelinho38 as the best secret hotel in town...
Keep it quite, it s a secret!!

Madonna in Rio

2009-11-12T08:34:00.000-02:00

Special guest of the city of Rio de Janeiro, followed constantly by bodyguards and police special troops, Mains politicians and businessmen at her disposal and of course hundreds of Paparazzi and thousand of crazy fans at the door of her hotel....which is not C38 i can tell...Madonna came to meet Jesus?? or is she really mean to invest in a children social project in the favelas?
Whatever it is Rio has stop for her and turn the light down...

Carolina Dieckmann

2009-11-07T15:05:00.000-02:00

C38 received a Brazilian TV Star during a very "hot" afternoon, here some backstage pics from the photo shooting for next month Front Page of CONTIGO Magazine...

To know more click here