Pousada Ziláh

From the suite’s hammock, I enjoyed reading and looking out over Sao Paulo. It’s a lovely BnB within easy walking distance of the popular Avenue Paulista, yet the city noise feels far away. One unexpected thing was that my shower water went on to water the plants. The hosts were accommodating, and the area felt safe. The road was quiet, which also made it a less stressful place to catch an Uber. I’ll definitely stay here again if I return to Sao Paulo.

I came to SP for a conference and wanted a couple of restful nights at the end of the trip. I only wish I’d had more time at Pousada Zilah. The room had a little deck with a table, chair, and hammock, all of which I used. Blackout curtains made it feel like a womb, and I slept like a baby. Water from the shower ran through a plant that captured and filtered it, part of a clever setup bringing nature into the bed and breakfast’s environmentally friendly infrastructure. Zilah felt personal and cozy, and it was immaculately clean, with everything I needed and nothing extra. It’s right at the top of Paulista, just a short walk from the busy street, but the courtyard and its pond made for a peaceful escape, with the gentle sound of water. I could easily see it working well for a family reunion. There’s an indoor dining room with tables, a couch, and books, plus more books in the hallway. The pousada has five rooms: three about the same size, one for families, and one with a lovely view over SP. Breakfast was a highlight. In our first week in Brazil, my colleague, who also stayed there, and I ate plenty of delicious food. Still, we kept smiling at each other over the wonderful breakfast cake. There was a full buffet with whatever else we wanted, including great coffee and eggs made to order. Our hostess clearly has plenty of experience running a B&B. If you’re leaving on a night flight, she’ll keep your bags while you explore for the day. It was a memorable stay and great value. I’m already hoping to come back.

Dona is a lovely host and made us feel at home. We had a room with a spectacular view across the city, and even the bathrooms were nicely done, with houseplants and beautiful tiles. The breakfast was amazing, served in the gorgeous garden when the weather allowed. The place is in the lovely neighbourhood of Hygienopolis, close to lively Avenida Paulista, but still very peaceful and quiet.

The owner speaks very good English, which may be helpful for English speakers. My mom, grandma, and I spent a girls’ weekend here and had an amazing time. The staff were so kind and went out of their way to help. There are plants everywhere, giving the pousada a quaint, relaxing feel and making it a hidden gem in São Paulo’s concrete jungle. It’s a block from a main street, so it’s peaceful, while still within walking distance of lots of major attractions. Breakfast was delicious too. Highly recommend!