Vogal Luxury Beach Hotel & Spa

For a four-star hotel, this might be acceptable, but the standards fall well short of what I’d expect from a five-star property. Service is average and short on attention to detail. Both breakfast and dinner disappointed me, and they couldn’t even make a proper cappuccino, serving instant Nescafé instead.

The rooms and location were fine, but the restaurant charged us too much. When we raised the mistake, the manager on duty and reception staff refused to fix the bill, saying they were unable to make adjustments. That response was especially disappointing after spending thousands of euros across three rooms during our two-week stay. For a five-star hotel, that approach was unacceptable.

The ocean view from the rooms was magnificent, and the pool was a cozy spot to unwind. There’s also a small beach area with loungers and umbrellas. Staff gave excellent service, and some spoke English. The food was tasty and the buffet had plenty to choose from, though I can imagine it getting repetitive on a longer stay. I tried the gym and sauna; both were good, if nothing special. The spa costs extra, so I didn’t visit it. The hotel is in a fairly safe area and not too far from Ponte Negra. I enjoyed staying at Vogal Luxury Beach Hotel, even if it felt expensive by Brazilian standards.

The two things I liked were breakfast and the bathroom jacuzzi. Everything else made for a disappointing romantic weekend. Our room smelled damp as soon as we walked in, and the amenities felt dated. The spa was tiny and only available for an extra charge. Dinner was the low point, with dull food and service that seemed chaotic and confused. We regretted not booking dinner elsewhere. Most rooms on the first and second floors don’t have a sea view.