Pousada Cantinho Dos Sonhos

The pool was lovely, set in a pretty, well looked after garden, and breakfast was simple but tasty. My wife and I had a great stay during carnival. The pousada is just one block from Praia dos Sonhos, and everyone was so friendly we felt at home. Our room was spacious, with a good shower in the bathroom. The mattress was sagging in the middle, and breakfast could use more variety. Maybe having a sandwich press available for guests would help. Still, those things didn’t get in the way of an otherwise great stay.

I was really disappointed. I booked a room by phone for three adults and a child, then arrived a few hours later happy and tired from the trip, with my family hungry and the child with us. After we parked, the owner said I’d misunderstood and that the room only slept two people and a child. I told him that wasn’t what we’d agreed on the phone. He said it was a family place and he didn’t like a mess. I felt awful and left to find another pousada, which was even cheaper. The whole thing was embarrassing. I rent places through Booking all the time and have never been treated so badly. I considered taking legal action because I have proof of our conversation and can get the phone records, but I let it go after another wonderful pousada welcomed us warmly. I wouldn’t stay here even for free. Courtesy and good manners matter a lot to me.

We called on 01/01/2020 to book for three adults and a child. When we arrived, the owner, Guilherme, saw that I was with a couple of women friends and made his homophobia clear. He said we’d booked for a couple and a child, then I asked what he considered a couple, a man and a woman? He kept saying this was a family place, offered no effort to accommodate us, said other pousadas might take us, and told us to leave. He didn’t seem to think about my young daughter, who was tired and hungry as night was falling, or that finding somewhere else could be dangerous. It started raining shortly after we left. He let us use the toilet, but watched us as if we were criminals. I was shaken and humiliated. I got into the car and cried. He also claimed my friend had driven recklessly, saying she spun her tires and nearly hit a woman carrying a baby and a cyclist. I wouldn’t put my daughter or myself at risk if I didn’t trust the person driving. Guilherme, I hope this never happens to you. What you did to us was inhuman. Seeing my young daughter go through such an awful episode was painful, and I’m writing because I’m outraged. I want to warn LGBT people not to go to this pousada. He made it clear that it was a family place and that we weren’t welcome. That’s all.

Just to clarify, as far as I know the pousada had a new owner from around February or March 2020. My family and I have stayed in all kinds of places around the country, including hotels, resorts and pousadas, and this was one of our best stays. The owners’ warmth and hospitality made a big difference, and the family themselves are the only people working there. Our daughter cried when we left because she’d become friends with Sophie and Maísa, the owner’s daughter and niece. The pousada has what a tourist needs: it’s near the beach, the rooms are clean and have internet, a minibar and smart TVs, and there’s also a pool and barbecue area. Above all, the owners were so welcoming. Thanks to Regivan and his whole family for such a lovely stay. My daughter made two little friends, and I made a friend and partner too. We’ll definitely be back. I recommend it to everyone.