On a Sunday afternoon we leisurely stroll along a beach in Alagoas, in northeast Brazil. It is low tide. Fishing boats have fallen dry, children search for little crabs on the white beach or swim in the shallow, turquoise waters; a little developed area radiating serenity.
A solitary, one-storey accommodation built with local materials such as coconut wood and palm leaves matches the rustic surroundings. Easy chairs, a swimming pool and a jacuzzi overlook the expansive ocean at the front, and that is exactly what gives this guesthouse its appeal. It is a refreshing contrast to those beach resort fortresses that keep the rich tourists separate from the local fishermen. Decorations in natural colours complete the relaxed ambience.
Pousada Villa Pantai along Alagoas' unspoiled beach
Our curiosity is aroused and we decide to check it out. The well-trained staff makes us feel welcome, and show us around. Several of them have worked here since Pousada Villa Pantai was constructed, six years ago. "Pantai means beach," Zacharai explains. John, a Greek, and his Brazilian wife Lores bought the terrain with a house on it, and transformed the house into an attractive, modern designed lounge and dining room.
The lounge and restaurant have stylish jagueira wooden tables and decorative tropical plants. The sofas and easy chairs with thick cushions are inviting, offering comfortable seating to leaf through one of the hardcover interior design or other coffee table books. There are quiet corners to sit and connect your laptop to the Wifi service, or to sit at a special table with beautifully carved chess pieces waiting for a game.
Accommodation at Guesthouse Villa Pantai
The guesthouse has suites and cabanas. The suites have simple yet comfortable rooms with a king-sized bed, television, fridge and private bathroom. On the pousada's beach front, surrounding the swimming pool area, are three tranquil cabanas. All have a tastefully furnished living room downstairs and sleeping quarters upstairs.
Villa Pantai's service is personal, informal and professional. There are no fixed hours for breakfast or lunch, and both can be served anywhere you want. Only dinner is limited in the sense that the kitchen closes at 10.30pm.
Location of Villa Pantai Hotel in São Miguel dos Milagres
The northeast of Brazil is a popular beach holiday destination for Brazilians and foreigners alike. Thus far the state of Alagoas has escaped mass tourism that comes with high rises, spates of souvenir shops and night entertainment. The coast of Alagoas still consists of hamlets and empty beaches where you can watch the fishermen catch their fish, mend their nets, or fix their boats.
One of these fishing villages is São Miguel dos Milagres, located between Maceió [Alagoas] and Recife [Pernambuco], and guesthouse Villa Pantai lies at walking distance from the downtown area. São Miguel dos Milagres is a quiet town with a few small shops, a daily market and a couple of restaurants, among which the popular fish restaurant Enildo. The latter is a few hundred metres down the beach from the guesthouse.
Quietude and activities in Pousada Villa Pantai
Pousada Villa Pantai is a place for those who seek comfort, quiet, solitude, long walks on the empty, clean beach, without being harassed by vendors or music at ear-damaging volumes that so often dictate a Brazilian beach scene.
This doesn't mean there is nothing to do. Hotel Villa Pantai has a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and in the secluded garden at the rear of the guesthouse are:
- Sala de Jogos, a room reserved for playing games [tip: bring your own board games, there are not many available].
- Sala de Beleza, a beauty salon with hair salon.
- Atelier Pintura: a special corner in the garden for the artistically inclined: materials are available for those who like to paint.
One of the pleasant activities is to go on a boat trip. With a maximum of four guests the jangadas – as the typical fishing boats are called – sail along the coast, or visit piscinas naturais [natural swimming pools] for a swim at the second largest reef in the world that runs along Alagoas' coast: the Costa das Corais [Coast of corals]. Another boat trip follows the river where peixe boi [manatee] may be seen.
Pousada Villa Pantai – Location, Transportation and Reservations
A couple practicalities with regards to this inviting guesthouse:
- São Miguel dos Milagros is a hard to reach destiny. However, Pousada Villa Pantai can arrange transfers to and from the airports in both Maceió and Recife. Another option is to rent a car in one of these cities.
- Safe parking space in the fenced-in garden.
- On request Villa Pantai offers an all inclusive price for accommodation, food and beverage.
- For more information, check out Pousada Villa Pantai's website.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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