What does BJJ Hostel, Connection Rio have in terms of amenities? At the top of our list here are the first seventeen conveniences and comforts in the BJJ Hostel:
1) The bedding – 100% cotton sheets, Ortobom high density mattresses in dormitories and spring mattresses with NASA foam pillows in private rooms; 2) FREE High-speed WIFI; 3) Canal Combate (the Brazilian 24 hour a day fight channel); 4) Two complete kitchens; 5) Filtered water on tap in both kitchens, for your convenience; 6) Individual, lockable food storage provided for each guest (even with dormitory bookings); 7) Laundry facilities complete with dryer and FREE weekly tokens granted to guests with standard bookings of 1 week or more; 8) A pool; 9) Full-size brick barbeque; 10) Exterior chairs, tables and hammock in a large garden with a direct view of the historical Pedra da Gavea mountain; 11) FREE loaner towels for guests; 12) Mini-fridge in every private room; 13) Bossa Boards bamboo long boards FREE to use for all of our guests; 14) Maid service 6 days a week (no having to wash your own sheets); 15) Rooms available with A/C; 16) Close proximity to the hidden gem of Joatinga beach (a 10-12 minute walk); 17) FREE gourmet Brazilian coffee in the mornings. All in a safe and convenient location!
With all that said, none of the conveniences or comforts listed above make us a jiu-jitsu hostel. These are simply ways we show our respect to those who stay with us at the original BJJ Hostel, Connection Rio. In addition to these amenities, we have NEVER ONCE raised our prices during the “high season” of Brazilian Summer or for City of Rio, or even Brazilian national events (we are, to our knowledge, the only hostel in Rio to maintain this policy). CR BJJ Hostel does not mask prices by listing cost in foreign currency either. Everything you see is listed in the Brazilian national currency of the Real.
Why don’t we raise our rates during Summer or city/national events?
We at CR BJJ Hostel genuinely care for our guests. We sincerely wish to earn your trust and respect for our hospitality. Rather than try to squeeze our guests, we are interested in building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. Connection Rio wants to see you return for more good times and great training with us in the cradle of BJJ!
What are the principal amenities that make this a BJJ Hostel?
From the decoration of William Burkhardt prints hung on our walls, handmade Connection Rio collage, Portuguese for jiu-jitsu basics guide, to the dedicated drying area and beyond, we are built to suit the convenience, comfort and lifestyle of jiujiteiros.
Mats for our guests: To start with, the very center of our hostel is a matted room for developing technique, drilling, training and in-house classes/seminars. We haven’t just thrown a couple of mats in front of the couch. Connection Rio BJJ Hostel is built around the mats—and you as a guest have 24 hour access to our mats to train to your heart’s content.
CR knows that you get back what you put into jiu-jitsu. We support the journey of our guests and athletes with proper tools, such as access to adequate mat space, that will keep you moving forward on your goals as a jiujiteiro. After all, how could we call ourselves a BJJ Hostel if our true focus in the hostel was not Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?
Designated drying area with room for all kimonos:
One of the most important daily necessities that is regularly overlooked by BJJ travelers is taking care of the kimonos after training. Laundry facilities are a must, as is adequate space to hang dry, and on those rainy days that could happen at any given time in a tropical climate, a dryer. Simply having an appropriate place to hang dry your kimonos is important for you to make the most out of your training, while preserving your kimono. We provide the space for you to hang dry your kimonos in the fresh, open air.
Kimonos on hand:
For guests looking to pick up a new kimono or two at the fabled price of around R$200 ($50USD). The outstanding prices for Brazilian made Senki kimonos are real and they are right here in house at Connection Rio. If you are looking for something more or a different model, Senki delivers free to CR guests staying with us.
Seminars and in-house classes: Utilizing our mats, we hold in-house seminars with world-class athletes, professors and masters of BJJ/Luta Livre and MMA. CR also holds in-house training with our founder, Professor Dennis Asche. Professor Asche has dedicated the majority of his life to training in the martial arts and is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. His classes for CR BJJ Hostel guests focus on developing and refining technique through many drills combined to build your game up, whether you are a beginner or seasoned professional.
All this right on location at Connection Rio BJJ Hostel! It doesn’t get much more convenient that that. Guests can roll out of bed and grab a free cup of gourmet Brazilian coffee before heading out to the mats for some world-class instruction.
Professional photo shoots to document CR BJJ hostel events:
We’ve hired professional photographers to document your experience at CR events, posting quality photos free for all to see on the Connection Rio FaceBook and website. No better way than that to keep great memories fresh and share your journey with your team, family and friends back home. The best part is you don’t have to pay the photographer!
Well versed and very knowledgeable staff on hand to help with your jiu-jitsu questions.
Connection Rio was built to help jiu-jitsu travelers visiting the city of Rio de Janeiro. The original BJJ Hostel was founded by Dennis Asche, who himself was drawn to Rio by Brazilian Jiu-jitsu—and more specifically by BJJ’s originators, the Gracie family, specifically to expand his knowledge of the arte suave.
Dennis Asche has years of experience on Brazilian soil. In fact, he has spent more than 11 years here in Rio. In that amassed decade plus, he has earned the rank of 2nd degree black belt and continues to pass the acquired knowledge on through teaching at Connection Rio and local academies in Rio de Janeiro.
Our current GM, Torryn Heffelfinger has three years experience in the city of Rio, coaches Wrestling to the professional MMA athletes at Milton Vieira’s Rio Fighters academy and has a working knowledge of the academies and city.
We put this experience and knowledge of the cradle of BJJ to use for you. When our guests have questions about martial arts or the city we are always quick to provide answers.
Who will I be staying with at the BJJ Hostel?
Connection Rio has accommodated nearly two thousand jiujiteiros from all over the world. One thing you can count on is being surrounded by people who share a common interest in BJJ. These guests are here to experience the roots of jiu-jitsu in Brazil in the same place as you. Inside this unique space in the cradle of BJJ, countless friendships across the farthest borders have been built, time and again. The unique environment is made for you to make the most of your time training jiu-jitsu in Rio. It is easy to find someone to break down techniques and just as easy to grab someone to visit an academy, hike Pedra da Gavea or explore the marvelous city.
This is only one part of the amenities and benefits provided to Connection Rio BJJ Hostel guests. Part two coming soon!
—
Connection Rio, we are where you want to be! Join us here in Rio de Janeiro, cradle of BJJ. Contact CR BJJ Hostel today and book your stay: info@connectionrio.com