Pousada Pedra da Gávea

We went for walks around the area, and the pousada has a wonderful garden of its own where you can buy produce if you like. It's easy to reach and close to the center of Maringá, a cozy town where we enjoyed spending the day and going out at night for the delicious food. The shops and stalls stay open until 10 pm, too. The owners gave us a wonderful welcome. Everything was great, and I'll go again. Highly recommend it!

There are lots of wild birds, a lovely view, and a garden that's very well cared for. Dona Palmira and Rafael were terrific, and the service was excellent. The rustic chalet style does mean some things feel dated and work poorly, though. The bathroom flush still uses a pull cord, and ours wasn't working properly.

The inn is in a handy spot between Maringá (RJ and MG) and Visconde de Mauá, close to the highway, with parking included. The chalets are pleasant and the grounds are beautifully kept, with colorful roses and hydrangeas even in January. Pets are welcome. Dona Palmira's breads, pies, jams, and other treats make breakfast especially good. It's peaceful for couples, and the larger chalet can suit big families. A few suggestions: the chalet TVs are small and hard to see from a distance, and some chalets could use a sideboard. A games room with ping pong might work if there's space in the main house. The oversized veranda armchairs could also go.

We went during one of the coldest stretches of July 2021, with 2 degrees on Friday and 6 on Saturday. The rustic room was really pleasant, and there were plenty of blankets and comforters, four layered together. I felt like I was in Alaska! Maringá sits on the border with Rio, so sometimes we were in Minas and sometimes in Rio. There were all kinds of treats around, from handmade goods and craft beer to wine, Minas-style food, and specialty markets. Everything gets a 10 from me. I recommend it.