Hotel Fazenda Brisa Itu

I stayed at Samba Itu for two weeks with my daughter and parents, so I got a good sense of the place. The family friendly side was the biggest draw for me. There's a mini farm where kids can see and pet animals, plus a trail that's safe for children. On weekends, a professional leads activities for them. The play area has lots of toys, and there's a playground with swings for toddlers and older kids. They also have a kids' pool, an adult pool, and one for water polo, along with soccer, basketball, and tennis courts. There are plenty of green spaces and hammocks, and an adult game room with two pool tables and two foosball tables. Parents can warm baby food and wash dishes in a separate area. The caipirinha was out of this world, and breakfast was good, with fresh baked goods each morning. The staff were amazing, friendly, accommodating, and understanding. They really made us feel at home. There were quite a few things that needed attention. The pools were a little dirty, with grime visible in the cracks, and the kids' playroom smelled bad. Its rubber mats were dirty and some toys were broken. The adult game room wasn't well kept either, and some pool balls were missing. I also found the room and bathroom cleaning lacking. I don't think the shower was cleaned at all during our stay. The high chairs need replacing or at least a proper daily cleaning. The food was good but expensive, with few buying options. The TV had very few channels. The sheets didn't fit the king beds, so they kept coming off and we could barely sit on the bed. They need fitted sheets. I had requested a crib well in advance and was assured it would be there, but it hadn't been set up. Instead, they brought two old, broken playpens, which made for a very late bedtime on check-in night. There was no elevator, so carrying luggage and managing a toddler on the stairs was not fun. I liked seeing cats and dogs roaming freely, but it wasn't safe for young kids. My daughter was scratched by a cat when she tried to pet it. I also really wanted to use the pool, but it was too cold to enjoy it without warm water. Even with more negatives than positives, I'm giving it four stars because I could see how hard they were trying to make things good. It was also helpful to know the hotel had only been open for eight months, or reopened under a different name, and that the new administration had started just the month before. I'd say it's a great place for families, but it's lacking in the details. If you can overlook some of the small things, I'm sure you can have a great time at Samba Itu.

L p P

Really top notch.

Really top notch.