Vila Carijós

Rodrigo made our long weekend comfortable and memorable, with thoughtful help throughout. He showed us around, shared all the information we needed, and gave us excellent restaurant recommendations. The flat was just right, with a compact kitchen that had everything we needed, a comfortable bed, excellent linen, and a lovely bathroom and terrace. The location is incredible. At first we thought the place seemed almost too good to be true, but it turned out just as perfect as it looked online. Thanks to Rodrigo and Vila Carijos for a wonderful weekend. We’ll be back.

Anne and Rodrigo were incredibly attentive and kind, and the place generally met our expectations. It’s well organized, feels new, and is very secure, with everything close by in Jurerê. There’s a large supermarket just a few meters away that stays open until midnight. The north island beaches are best for families; the others are more for a quick look. If you have kids, I recommend Praia da Daniela, just a few minutes away even in high season traffic. A couple of practical things were missing. There’s no laundry at the pousada, and I wished there were a self-service option nearby. I’d come from another stop on my trip and needed to wash clothes, but the only self-service laundry I found was in Canasvieiras, far away with lots of traffic. I also missed having room cleaning, even a basic daily service for a modest price. The sofa bed wasn’t comfortable for a third guest, though adding some foam might help. One cross street was hard to access because of damage from rain in the previous days. Just don’t follow the map app exactly, and take the avenue by the Imperatriz supermarket instead.

The biggest problem was what happened after heavy rain: one of the beds was wet when we got back. We told the owners, but they only said they were sorry and thanked us for moving the bed. They never came over or offered another house or any other solution. Without a spare set of clothes we’d already used, we wouldn’t even have had a sheet to put on. Water then seeped in through the bathroom and into the light fixture, and still no one came by or suggested a fix. Things can go wrong, but the host needs to act to reduce the impact and solve the guest’s problem. Their response was disappointing. The houses in Vila Carijo are charming and decorated in a beach style with good taste. The bedrooms have air conditioning, and the mattresses and bedding were new and comfortable. The pillows were all too high for me, and there’s a ceiling fan in the living room. Since these are beach houses rather than a hotel, a stove, even a portable one, is essential, and there wasn’t one. We were there off season and also missed having an extra blanket; when we asked, they said there weren’t any.

The garden is so thoughtfully kept, and the outdoor lights make the place feel especially cozy. I was charmed as soon as I arrived. The apartment smelled brand new and was tidy, with clean, tasteful decor. I slept well in the comfortable bed after days exploring Ilha da Magia. Even on my own, I felt safe and could get everywhere on foot. The atmosphere is very family-oriented, and the location is close to everything: there’s an Armazem nearby with a good selection, great restaurants, a French bakery, a bistro, and even a lovely hair salon. The beach is just a five-minute walk away, which feels like a luxury. I miss my wonderful days at Vila Carijos already and will definitely return.