Pousada do Mondego

A pousada with dramatic historic architecture, full of antique and historic furniture, and conveniently located for exploring Ouro Preto. It isn’t a modern place, so some things may feel a little inconvenient. For instance, there’s no hair dryer in the rooms. You have to ask reception to borrow one and bring it back.

Ondina, who looks after the place with so much care, was born in this house. Some of the staff have been here for 30 years or more, and their hospitality made me feel more than at home. Mondego is a beautiful maze to explore, with different room sizes and prices, a tea room, a bistro for rent, a convention room, and little terraces. As an architect, I was impressed by how well the building and rooms have been preserved, along with the old, elegant furniture, some of it from France. It’s in Ouro Preto, Brazil’s most important historic town, between two important squares, high on a mountain with a great view and good restaurants nearby.

Our two-bedroom master suite, 107, had four balconies and one of the best panoramic views. The beds were heavenly, the furnishings lovingly cared for, and housekeeping immaculate. We also loved the collection of paintings and artwork and still remember the dark hardwood floors, polished so smoothly we worried our shoes might scratch them. Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, the food and drinks were good, and the service was outstanding. Parking was convenient: we stopped outside Pousada do Mondego, went up to reception, and someone helped us park in their secure private garage around the corner. From this perfect location, it’s easy to explore the historic downtown on foot. We stayed three nights in Ouro Preto, Brazil’s beautiful colonial town, to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday this year. Brazil has 21 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Ouro Preto was the first, for well-documented reasons. We booked a private full-day tour with João Baptista, recommended by Pedro Paulo Pinto Jr. of Ouro Preto Travel, an agency with a strong reputation and high-profile clients, including embassies and multinational corporations. João was born in this community of 80,000 residents and speaks English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. He’s a real treasure chest of knowledge and experience, and we appreciated his honesty and candour. The tour was educational and memorable. João and Pedro are consummate professionals and wonderful ambassadors for Brazil. They’re among the few Ouro Preto guides who can communicate fluently in English, and their gracious hospitality and excellent service meant a lot to us. Even the mayor of Ouro Preto, whom we met on our walk, said we were in excellent hands with João. Contact Information Pedro Paulo Pinto Jr. of Ouro Preto Travel João Baptista de Souza of Conhecer Minas

The bedroom was tiny, and its window looked onto a wall. Breakfast was nice and the room was clean, though.