Rancho da Serra Pousada

I wouldn’t book with them again or recommend doing so. Our travel ticket had a problem, and when we asked to move the date, the new one wasn’t available. We then requested cancellation and a refund on October 26 for a stay scheduled for November 14. They only replied on November 13 to refuse the refund. Since we’d asked well in advance, it felt like bad faith. They’re losing potential customers and recommendations through greed.

We loved it. There’s a fantastic amount of space for pets and kids, and Celia is incredibly friendly. Breakfast was really good too, with fresh, tasty food that wasn’t over the top. The coalhada was the star, absolutely perfect.

Rancho da Serra is wonderful. The staff were excellent, the place felt cozy, and breakfast was really good. The rooms were clean and comfortable.

I gave it five stars because it suited what I wanted: somewhere quiet, away from the noisy center. You wake to birdsong, and it’s very peaceful. The drive to the center takes five minutes, or it’s a 15-minute walk. Parking downtown is difficult, so we left the car partway and walked. The route back can be confusing, so I suggest using Maps, but I felt safe. Staff are there 24 hours, watch the cars on cameras, and open the automatic gate. The place is simple, as the name “rancho” suggests, but tastefully decorated. I had room 13, a superior triple, and liked it. It had supports, hangers, a mirror, and a lovely smell when we arrived. The bathroom was clean, large, and nicely decorated, with useful hooks and supports inside the shower. The bedding was clean too. This room had air conditioning, but I’m not sure the others do, and they seemed simpler. The TV was disappointing, with only the most basic channels, so there may not be much to do if it rains. Breakfast was my favorite part, carefully prepared with a range of local food and little extras: eggs cooked to order, three kinds of cake, breads, a homemade savory option, cheeses, three kinds of fruit, three kinds of juice, jams, cereal, yogurt, and coalhada. They kept replenishing food until close to the 10 a.m. end time, so late risers weren’t left out, though a special item or two might run out. The pool is simple but clean and nice. There’s also billiards and a well-kept green area for children. Some things, like the hammock, need maintenance, as a screw was loose and someone could fall, but that wouldn’t stop me from returning. The staff and owner were friendly, and the owner gave sightseeing tips. There’s even a barbecue area for guests. If you want to step straight into the center on foot, you may prefer a more central place, but this one isn’t as far away as some reviews make it sound. You’ll be doing a lot of walking around there anyway.