Pousada Cabanas Dunasol

We booked through WhatsApp, which Dunasol uses for reservations, two months ahead. But when we arrived to check in, they said the whole conversation had disappeared and there was no booking. They could offer a room only from two days later, and made no effort to find another solution. Since we don’t speak Portuguese, the language barrier made it even harder to sort out. We had to arrange our own place and booked at Pousada Assefaz right beside Dunasol. There, we found out the same accommodations cost half as much as at Pousada Dunasol. The next day Dunasol apologized by giving us chocolate for the inconvenience. We decided to give them another chance and moved into the promised pousada two days later. The furnishings were basic, as expected, but everything was old, dirty, and badly run-down. Pousada Assefaz next door, at half the nightly price, was in much better and cleaner shape. All four mattresses were so worn out that after the first night we woke with back pain. On the second evening, one room started smelling strongly of sewage, so the person staying there had to move to the living room and sleep on a wooden bench. Cockroaches showed up on the beds too, and we finally left. We’d tried to reach the owner beforehand, but couldn’t get hold of him. He still hasn’t replied. We left two days early and got no apology or compensation.

We had a room overlooking the lake, but the road noise carried on until morning and we barely slept. The room smelled, and the old mattress and dirty cover were disgusting. I was itchy all night, possibly because of bed bugs. The double bed was made of two mattresses at different heights, so we had to squeeze onto one side. Breakfast was the only good part. For what they offer, it’s far too expensive. I’ve stayed in much nicer places on the island and in Lagoa for 40 USD. I wouldn’t come back.

The room was great, clean, and well kept, and I was really happy with it. Getting around was practical too. The location is central, though there isn’t much right nearby, and Campeche and Lagoa are easy to reach. Breakfast was a real letdown. There seemed to be more plastic than food, like we were still in the thick of COVID. The 5g cereal portions came in tiny plastic packets, and every piece of cheese was wrapped with tasteless bread and plastic. You had to throw out piles of plastic and a lot of bread just to get to a little ham or cheese. I’ve rarely seen such a ridiculous breakfast. It’s a shame, because everything else was great.

The garden out back is amazing. You can walk across it, through the dunes, and reach the beach, while the lagoon is right out front. At breakfast, cute little monkeys come by to share the meal. Breakfast is great, and hosts Bianca and Serafin are attentive and happy to offer advice. If you’re spending time in Florianopolis, stay with Dunasol. You couldn’t ask for more. Enjoy!