If you're a soccer fan still looking for somewhere to stay during the World Cup in Brazil, you may have little choice.
Rio de Janeiro and other cities are facing a massive accommodation crunch during the World Cup, which starts June 12. Hotels have hiked their prices and travel agents say most of Rio is booked solid.So some travelers are getting creative and opting to stay in motels that usually cater to Brazilians hooking up after a night on the town.
They typically charge lower rates than traditional hotels, and some offer surprising amenities, including private pools and "erotic chairs".Michael Fine, a travel consultant based in Sao Paulo, says motels have sprung up across Brazil to serve young people who live at home before getting married, but want a night of privacy.
To be clear, these are not brothels, said Fine. While there are many low-end "fleabag" motels renting rooms for 30 minutes at a time, other places offer high-end features such as hot tubs, themed rooms and saunas.
Felipe Martinez, who runs the 60-room Lush Motel in Sao Paulo, says bookings from foreign clients have surged. He expects international business to triple during the World Cup, boosting sales by 20%.
Rooms are going for between $105 and $620 a night, about twice the price clients pay for a typical half-day stay, he said.Martinez has gone out of his way to attract visiting soccer fans by launching an English-language version of his website, and promoting it on Booking.com and Expedia.
For the more adventurous (and possibly kinky) traveler, Portuguese-language siteGuiaDeMoteis.com.br lists motels such as Opium, Swing and Fetish. The site lets you search for rooms with water beds, erotic chairs, dance floors and party suites.
And they're unlikely to stretch your budget. Trivago shows that motel prices are roughly 25% lower than hotels.
"Love motels are a bargain," said Katie Merrill, a spokeswoman for the price comparison website. The average price in Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup is $219, compared with $287 for a traditional hotel room, she said.
Latest Stories
-
Mahama decouples Youth and Sports Ministry, to create Sports and Recreation Ministry
11 minutes -
Mahama’s open endorsement of Bagbin needless – Rabi Salifu
41 minutes -
Police station torched as Ejura youth clash with officers
43 minutes -
If Ibrahim Traoré goes civilian, it may be because of Mahama’s inauguration – Prof Abotsi
1 hour -
Kwaku Asare welcomes Mahama’s reduction in Ministries but advocates legislative process to cement it
2 hours -
I’m concerned about failure to implement AWW report – Prof Abotsi
2 hours -
US returns $50m in alleged stolen funds to Nigeria
2 hours -
Mahama restructures Ministries, reduced from 30 to 23 – See full list
2 hours -
2 siblings die after being locked in water drum by 6-year-old sister
3 hours -
Mahama shouldn’t have openly directed Parliament to elect Speaker – Prof. Kwaku Asare
3 hours -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The power of delegation – Empowering leaders within your organization
3 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses inaugurations, prisoner pardon and failed CJ petition
4 hours -
Revisiting the forensic audit of EC will increase credibility of future elections – Omane Boamah
6 hours -
Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network urges governments to increase investment in agriculture
13 hours -
AU and partners urge youth to get involved in efforts to transform continent’s food systems
13 hours