Hotel Fazenda Paraiso da Serra

I booked three nights, but left after two. It seems the owners already know about the problems guests have reported, yet I saw no one doing any upkeep during my stay. With such a privileged location and wonderful view, it's hard to understand why the place is treated with so little care. Recent rain might explain some grass and mud, but not the broader neglect. Older five-star reviews leave me wondering what standard people are using. I'd only consider returning after a serious renovation plan, with clear evidence the work had actually been done, not just more marketing. The state of the leisure areas was poor. The pool still had broken tiles and loose stones around it, the sauna didn't work and felt scary to enter, and the abandoned pool table was dirty, uneven and had the wrong balls. The football field was full of holes and tall grass, and could only be used during the day because the lights didn't work. When I asked, I was told they were burned out. The neglect was everywhere. The restaurant matched the general condition of the hotel. Its bathroom was dirty, dim and had broken items, and the room itself badly needed a major renovation. At night, smoke from the wood stove filled the restaurant and stung my eyes. Even getting water meant asking a staff member, who brought a cup from an unexplained PET bottle. A simple water fountain could have solved that. Lunch and dinner were perhaps the one positive: I liked some traditional dishes such as okra, chayote and angu, though I missed having any dessert. Breakfast was a disappointment. I expected something simple and rustic, which would have been fine, but it felt careless. Everything served was easy to find at any Supermercado BH, with no special touch or care. The room was a terrible experience too. The bed was broken, the ceiling fan only made noise without cooling the room, and the bathroom faucet kept leaking. There was no room service, and the bin didn't even have a liner when I arrived. I stayed two days, and it would have overflowed if I'd stayed another. Opening the door was alarming: a strong mold smell, a shut-up appearance and obvious signs of water damage. The paths to the rooms were edged with tall grass and sludge, giving a clear impression of abandonment.

The photos don't match reality. The property felt completely abandoned. The pool had broken tiles that could cut hands or feet, and there weren't enough umbrellas for everyone. Both days I stayed, breakfast was exactly the same: moldy fruit, stale limp bread, flies everywhere, a broken toaster and slimy cheese. There was no lighting on the way to the chalet, and the path was completely overgrown. The lagoon is far from the hotel and can't be reached on foot. The playground and football field were swallowed by weeds, and the playground wasn't safe for children. There were lots of dogs inside the restaurant. The blanket provided in the room was disgusting, so thank goodness I brought my own bedding. There was also a large spider in the dim room, which smelled of mold. I don't understand the five-star ratings. Maybe those guests travel only occasionally and don't have much to compare it with. Anyone familiar with other inns and hotels can see this place should already be closed. I pointed all of this out to the owner, but nobody there seems to care.

We loved it. The food was delicious and plentiful, and drinks were available to buy separately. We brought plenty of water and juice for the hikes and kept them in the room. Our double chalet had a minibar, a double bed and an extra room with a single bed. The views were beautiful from every angle, the pool was huge, and the waterfalls were easy to get to. It's a peaceful spot full of nature, birds and lovely little dogs. Sandra was attentive, polite and incredibly kind, taking care of everything.

We had our trailer with us and Sandra and Sr. luiz welcomed us warmly. A great stay, highly recommend.