Casa de Guimaraes Boutique Hotel

The pool area was gorgeous, like a painting, with a waterfall, pale blue bottom, and pleasantly warm water. Lunch was delicious too, and the staff were very attentive. You can also use everything with a day pass even if you aren't staying there. I loved it. Casa de Guimarães is so charming. The architecture brings to mind the city's stone formations, one of its tourist attractions. The place feels like a mix of the Flintstones, a spa, and an oasis. There's a big shower with cold water and blue lighting, which is a fun touch. You can stay in the house with a whirlpool tub or choose one of the rustic rooms. I definitely recommend it.

The worst stay I've ever had. We paid 1,400 reais for one night, and the room was dirty and falling apart: stained walls, peeling floor paint, faulty lights, and a really strong mold smell. The bed had an old, ugly bedspread, and there was no hair dryer. For that price, I could have stayed somewhere much cleaner and more comfortable. I wanted to see the place, but this was money badly spent. We nearly went into downtown Chapada to buy another bedspread, then took a breath and tried to enjoy what we could. The outside wasn't much better. One nice pool, that's about it. The grass was overgrown, some parts of the fountains were dry, there were bats flying around inside, and there were only a few chairs and four loungers. There's no sign pointing out the place along the way. Calling it “rustic” doesn't excuse a dirty, broken place with no maintenance. Even rooms in Chapada that cost 250 or 300 reais are cozier and more comfortable. At 1,400 reais, this was the worst value I've ever had.

For a day visit, it might be okay, though the price is high. As a place to stay, it's nowhere near reasonable. There was no dinner or lunch included in the daily rate, and they didn't even offer dinner for an extra charge. We had to choose between driving into town at night on the dirt road or paying 100 reais for someone to deliver a hamburger. The concept is nice and the photos look beautiful, but getting a reply takes forever and there's no sign when you arrive. Shower water doesn't drain properly and runs into the room, and frogs get in under the door. To turn off the bedroom light at night, you have to open the fuse box and find the breaker. There's a lot that needs fixing before this could even be a bad hotel.

The staff were good, and the dirt road to get there is close to town. The day pass costs $235 per person and includes lunch, galinhada. The food is simple but tasty. There are unfinished areas and construction, though the completed parts look nice in photos. There's one pool for adults, but the water was cold and cloudy. No kids' area, and the stairs and slippery floors could be dangerous for children and older people. I can't say whether staying overnight is worth it.