Pousada Onda de Mar

The setting is paradise, perched on the mountains with an unbelievable view. There are balconies on several levels overlooking the ocean, as well as chairs on the boat deck. You can jump straight into the water there, or use the stand up paddles and kayaks for free. Everyone on staff was outstanding, so kind and welcoming.

We stayed for three nights after spending a few days in Rio for Carnaval, and it was a beautiful, peaceful place to unwind. There isn’t much around the secluded Inn, which was exactly what we wanted. The pool was great, with plenty of beds around it and on the deck, and towels were always available. Kayaks were a bonus, and paddle boards were also available. The snorkels and glasses were unfortunately faulty. The bar was well stocked enough, and the Caipirinha’s were great. We took the boat trip to Ilha Grande, which was well worth it. Swimming to the smaller nearby beach and kayaking to the larger one opposite the Inn were highlights. The beaches were fine, but I’d highly recommend the boat trip to Lopes Mendes. It would be handy if the Inn offered boat taxis to nearby beaches, especially for shopping or a beach day. Breakfast was sufficient, with fruit, ham and cheese, bread, yogurts, granola, cakes, fresh juices, and eggs made to order. Dinner needed to be pre-ordered for a time slot, which made sense. The food was nice and portions were extremely generous, a little too big for us. The service was great overall. Matius knew a lot and was happy to answer detailed questions. Staff were attentive before, during, and after our stay. The team changed daily, and service felt different depending on who was working, which added to the experience. We arrived during a staff change, as other guests were coming in. A simple sign at reception with details and instructions would help. We got a useful information guide via WhatsApp, though it could be more comprehensive. Our room was bigger than expected and about what you’d expect for an Inn like this. The bathroom could be improved. We understand bedding and towels don’t usually get changed daily, but a quick daily tidy and trash emptying would have made the stay more comfortable. With a little more TLC and a few tweaks, this could be a five-star spot. I’d highly recommend it to anyone wanting a few peaceful days somewhere beautiful.

The food was delicious and the location was great. But the reception lady treated us terribly and made us leave before checkout because she had other guests arriving earlier. Unbelievable.

The view and property are gorgeous, and breakfast is included. You can also order dinner from the restaurant at night. My husband and I stayed three nights and highly recommend it. 10/10.