Dona Quinota

We tried every meal, and they were all delicious, generous, freshly made, and reasonably priced. The main house feels like a spacious, welcoming family home. Although the pousada is away from the center, its setting has what guests need, including chairs and umbrellas, and above all, peace and rest. My wife and I stayed at Dona Quinota from January 15 to 19, 2025, and it was exactly the kind of vacation we wanted. Cris and Araldoo, the owners, along with an employee whose name I can't remember, were kind, professional, and clearly put a lot of love and care into looking after guests. Our room was comfortable, with a good bed, air conditioning, and a hot shower. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for quiet, some seclusion, and a chance to rest.

Meals are home-cooked, carefully prepared, and served generously. The hosts are exceptionally friendly and helpful, keep the rooms clean and tidy, and make the place feel warm and homey. The prices make sense for island life, where getting supplies in, maintaining stock, and handling upkeep takes a lot of work, especially with preservation as a priority. This pousada and Praia da foetaleza are all about peace, nature, a lovely sea, and simple rest. If you're after a cold room, soundproofing, huge beds, a breakfast buffet with dozens of choices, à la carte food, a pool, or nightlife, this isn't the place. But if you want the quiet and simplicity described above, it's probably the best lodging you'll find. The pousada sits in one of the island's calmest spots, near the fortress, an important historical attraction. Some rooms face the sea, with a direct view of ilha das Palmas. Those rooms are breezy, while the rooms at the back get quite hot on warm days. Privacy is limited, though nothing unusual for the area. The beds are comfortable and the linens are good, though I wish the pillows were better. Rooms have fans, which are needed in the local heat, but no air conditioning. There's a minibar for drinks or snacks you bring along. The showers are electric, which works fine. Since you're right by the forest, bringing a plug-in mosquito repellent is essential.

The welcome and service were great, and the setting is calm and quiet, ideal if you want to be secluded. There aren't any restaurants nearby. The room is very basic, with no TV, and the water from the shower and bathroom taps was brown.

We didn't need to leave the pousada during our stay. Araldoo took care of the cooking himself and everything was served with such care. The dinner he arranged for us when we arrived at night was excellent, and breakfast the next morning was wonderful, especially out on the veranda. There are no luxuries, but it has what you need for peaceful days and the simple feel of the island. There's no TV in the room, though we didn't ask about one, and there are some great books to read. We were also lucky to see a beautiful moonlit night when we arrived, then the glow of plankton in the sea the next evening. It was a unique sight, though phone cameras don't capture it. When we left, Araldoo kindly walked with us nearly all the way to our vehicle, which we boarded right in front of the pousada. He even messaged us on WhatsApp the next day to ask how the trip home went. That kind of care makes a difference. I've been coming to the island for years and have stayed at several pousadas, but Dona Quinota has been the best in many ways. Sr. Araldo was friendly and helpful from our very first phone call. It's a simple, cozy place where the owner puts real care into looking after guests. We'll definitely return, and I'd recommend it without hesitation. Thank you, Araldo!