Pousada Tia Côca

There were 17 cyclists and one driver in our group, riding from Cidade Eclética to Piri, and we stayed at Pousada Bougainville. From the time we booked with Seu João, he was an absolutely infectious presence. He did a great job choosing our rooms. They were spotless, and the bed and bath linens were white, fresh-smelling, and laid out neatly. We booked almost all the rooms, 99%, and felt at home and safe. Our bikes were secure in the parking area, and after arriving dusty, we got the hot shower we wanted. The bathrooms were clean too. Breakfast was at the owner's other inn, Pousada Caminho dos Pirineus, about 70 meters away. Having breakfast and the leisure area there worked out just fine. The pool was clear and well cared for, and there was a bar, snacks, lunch, and even a small barbecue grill that we used. What a breakfast: all kinds of bread, cakes, couscous, ground meat, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit juices, fruit, water, oats, granola, and cold cuts. I tried quite a bit of it! We barbecued and made friends with the staff and Dona Aline's daughter, whose name I've forgotten. Dona Aline is such a bright person. Everyone who helped make that weekend wonderful will stay in our lives. We cyclists from DF are so happy with everything we experienced at Pousada Bougainville and Caminhos dos Pirineus. To top off Sunday, the historic masked festival was happening right outside Pousada Caminho dos Pirineus, with children and adults, and it moved us deeply. Dona Aline, João, the staff, Dona Aline's daughter, and my friends, I'll never forget you. I'll carry you in my heart, and we'll be back soon. Thank you for welcoming us with so much care and love.

There are some good points: the breakfast was excellent, with plenty of choice and a homemade taste, and the air conditioning was powerful and kept the room comfortable even on hot days. The location is handy too, under a 10-minute drive from the center and with easy access to the main roads out to the waterfalls. Dona Rosa was the one person who was truly helpful, always kind and willing to do what she could. The rest was frustrating. The listing calls the room superior and says it has a balcony, but doesn't mention that the balcony is shared with other guests. The bedding was inadequate, with only a single blanket even though the rooms are meant for couples. The room wasn't clean, especially the bathroom, which smelled bad by the second day and had a burned-out light that wasn't replaced during my four-day stay. Only one of the four outlets worked. We had to move furniture to plug in the minibar and take turns using that outlet to charge our phones. There was no organized reception or welcome and no guidance when arriving or leaving. Garbage, sheets, and towels were changed only if you happened to find someone, and even then you had to ask and handle it yourself. The Wi-Fi password posted on the signs was wrong, so we had to track someone down for the right one. Security was a real concern too: the gate stayed open most of the time, and people who clearly weren't guests could come and go, especially at night.

The inn is simple, clean, and the reception was good. But a nearby music venue was so loud that we barely slept. In the room, there was only one outlet, far from the bed, and I think there should be one beside the bed for convenience. There wasn't a mirror either, a small thing that makes a big difference when we're getting ready. And using an iron is forbidden, with a R$200 fine. We won't be back.

The room's TV wasn't working, there was no soap, and the towel shed lint all over me. The walls were thin enough that we could hear people talking loudly. The louvered window kept banging in the wind all night.