Pousada Bellatrix

The lagoon view is spectacular, and the pousada has activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, which are lovely ways to relax and reconnect with nature. The breakfast had good variety and tasted good. Our towels and blankets were clean and smelled fresh, and the bed was comfortable. We stayed in the Pantanal chalet at Pousada Bellatrix as a couple, and the experience fell short. The chalet was much smaller than we expected, especially the bedroom, and there was no comfortable shared space for us to relax, like a sofa or a nest chair. There was only a small hammock outside. We also found cobwebs and hair in the room, and dead cicadas in the bathroom. There were lots of mosquitoes, something guests could have been warned about so we could bring repellent. We ate at the pousada restaurant. The food was tasty and the staff were friendly, but they seemed unable to keep up with weekend demand. Service was very slow, even getting the menu took a while, and our meal took about 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive. There also weren't signs explaining how to use the sports equipment or get to the lagoon safely, which could help prevent falls. There was a power outage during our stay, making things more uncomfortable in the heat and with all the mosquitoes around. There were also frogs all over the property, and the couple in the next chalet found a tarantula. The reception often had no staff available. We decided to leave earlier than planned. For the price, we felt the facilities and especially the service need a lot of improvement. What they show on Instagram didn't match what we experienced. Sadly, we wouldn't return.

The natural setting is beautiful, and the reception and breakfast staff were very kind. Still, the stay was far below what the price led me to expect. I stayed in the Mico Leão room. The ceiling and curtains were dirty, there was residue in the whirlpool tub, and the bathroom door was broken. The advertised “lake view” didn't match what I actually saw. Food service was another letdown. The restaurant menu was mostly just for show because the kitchen was out of supplies, leaving chicken, fish, and fried food as the only choices. Restaurant service was poor too, and I had to go looking for staff inside to get help. The biggest concern was security. The pousada is away from the center, and when we came back at 11 p.m., the gate was open and the guard booth was completely empty. With such a high nightly rate, I expected basic cleanliness, an accurate listing, and basic security. I don't recommend it and don't plan to come back.

The staff were welcoming and courteous throughout, including at the restaurant, and the air conditioning, electric shower, and whirlpool all worked properly. The rustic, simple rooms fit the pousada's nature-focused feel. Breakfast was the weak point: there weren't many choices, and some things might not be replenished if you don't get there early. They could offer more activities in the surroundings, and some items clearly need more maintenance.

The place looks beautiful, but it was poorly maintained and felt unsafe. I bought day use at Bellatrix for my boyfriend, a couple of friends, and me, and was unpleasantly surprised. The pedal boat they advertise was actually a rowboat, and all the life jackets were moldy and broken, so they didn't fit securely. The stairs down to the lake had a lot of algae, as if they hadn't been cleaned in ages, and were dangerous. There were no warning signs. I and some of the people with me got hurt going up or down, and the handrail was loose enough to feel like it might come apart. Service was very slow too. I don't recommend it. The hotel may be lovely, but day use is not worth it.