Pousada Lua de Pedra

The owners and staff were so attentive and welcoming, and the comfortable chalets were well built and immaculately maintained. The inn sits on a beautiful, carefully kept property. It’s a bit farther from town, but that means you’re away from all the motorcycles and cars that have taken over the municipality. Well worth the experience.

We left early in the morning, and the staff brought breakfast items to our room the night before so we could eat before setting off. The inn itself is charming, with lots of birds and trees on a peaceful, farm-like property, a nice fit if you want to get away from it all. Getting to Gonçalves town takes a while, around 25 minutes by car on an unpaved road. I also wish they’d told us the outdoor whirlpool would be closed because of the pandemic. Other hotels we stayed at during the same period had their shared areas open, but this one didn’t.

The food was fantastic and thoughtfully prepared, and the secluded chalets had great facilities. The inn is spectacular in person, even prettier than the photos. One thing to keep in mind: most streets in Gonçalves, including the road to the inn, are unpaved with plenty of ups and downs. A higher-clearance car with a strong engine is strongly recommended, especially when it rains.

CÉLIA’s service was the highlight. She really made us feel at home. The place is beautiful and extremely well cared for, and the chalets are very comfortable, with a fireplace and heater since it gets quite cold in winter at that altitude. The unpaved roads were no trouble for regular cars. Breakfast was ex-cep-tional! Next time, when we have more time, we’ll definitely try the spa, massages and sauna 😉