Pousada Ilhas de Juquehy

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Read all the reviews carefully before booking. This experience wasn't five-star, and I don't think the value for money is good. The staff seemed surprised when we arrived with our two children, aged one and three, even though the reservation was listed for “4 adults.” The room had a queen bed and a single bed that seemed to have been put together in a rush, which made me wonder where four adults were supposed to sleep. We went to the beach around 3:30 pm, but no one showed us where the tents were, so we had to look for them ourselves. By the time we got there, there were no towels left. In the middle of the afternoon, the hotel's power simply went out. That's never happened to us at another hotel, let alone a five-star one. We were in room 4. It was attractive and spacious, but smelled unpleasantly moldy, and the terrace smelled like sewage. The room layouts seemed odd throughout: the shower enclosure, sink, and bathtub were all inside the bedroom with no separation. That took away privacy for a family and wasn't practical, since poor seals let water leak from the tubs and showers and flood the room. With several drains in the floor, I felt as if I were sleeping in a bathroom. Late that night, they added another bed to our room. We were already upset on the first day because no one had told us before booking that the hotel had no crib. We had to sleep with both children in the main bed, while my husband and I took the extra beds on either side to stop the kids from rolling onto the floor. It was very uncomfortable. That same night, we found two huge cockroaches in the room and couldn't kill one of them. The children were screaming, and the hotel staff didn't seem surprised. They said there was nothing they could do because every room was occupied. We wanted to go home and asked to cancel, but nothing was resolved. It was already very late, so we had to sleep with the other cockroach still in the room. The next day, they offered to move us to room 7, saying it was “better” even though it was the same category. That seemed strange when the rooms cost the same. Room 7 didn't smell of mold or sewage, but a tree on the terrace made it an easy place for mosquitoes to gather. The windows didn't seal properly, the terrace door was broken and also didn't seal, and we lost count of how many mosquitoes we killed. Apart from the insects, the room didn't meet five-star standards and needs a lot of maintenance. The bedding was okay, the towels were good, and the mattresses were good but old. The shower temperature was extremely hard to adjust. The service was good, and the cart that takes you to the beach was nice. Breakfast tasted good but took a long time, and there was no high chair for a child. The staff were courteous, but charging an extra fee at the end of the stay felt abusive. On the last day, housekeeping forgot to clean our room, and we didn't insist because it was almost 7 pm. Beach service was helpful on the other days, and the beach itself is very calm. Parking was confusing. The “rain insurance” felt almost like a scam: on our last day it rained from 1 pm until late at night, but the coverage only applied from 9 am to 5 pm and required five consecutive hours. In short, don't come with children, as the hotel isn't equipped for them, and don't expect good value for money.

The breakfast was a real highlight. You choose your preferences at check-in, then your meal is brought out beautifully, with breads, fresh juice made to order, and a great menu: sweet and savory tapiocas, croque monsieur or madame, eggs cooked several ways, omelets, crepes, grilled cheese, crepiocas, and the hotel's delicious daily surprise. It's served by the pool, where two covered tables can accommodate dogs, and runs until noon, so there's no need to wake up early. The hotel also has a golf cart shuttle to the beach, lends comfortable chairs, an umbrella, a small table, and towels, and offers beach service for snacks and drinks. We came to Juquehy to experience Hiu Hotel, and the rain on arrival didn't dampen the welcome. The very courteous team came to meet us at the car with umbrellas. After check-in, they showed us around the hotel. We stayed in Suite 4, one of the ground-floor Hiu suites designed to be dog-friendly. It was spacious, modern, and comfortable, with a well-lit layout and two air conditioners. The double bed was a little higher than usual and gave a nice view of the room. Across from it were the TV, two loungers, and a small table. There was a counter with a sink, a single bed, and a double shower with L’Occitane amenities on one side, and a charming soaking tub and two doors opening onto a private garden where dogs could stretch their legs on the other. Behind the bed were a minibar, wardrobe, bathroom, and Nespresso coffee maker for a coffee at any time. The central pool, surrounded by loungers, umbrellas, and two gazebos, gave the shared area an intimate resort feel. At the back, the restaurant's fully glass kitchen lets you watch the dishes being prepared, which adds to the dining experience. A perfect retreat on the north coast of São Paulo. Come visit with your dog!