Pousada Enseada dos Mares

Really good.

The place has a lot going for it, but it's poorly maintained and run down. Our room had several problems: the door wouldn't close properly, the curtain left the inside visible from outside, and the shower was broken. We waited about four hours for a staff member to come from another city and fix it. The owner was rude several times and didn't help with the issues. The receptionist/night guard did what he could and was considerate enough to let us shower in a room next door after the long wait. The pillows and mattresses were stained and dirty, there were insects around the inn, the pool was poorly maintained, and I found mold and rust in several places in the room. There were no TVs. The inn was also quite dark and seemed unsafe, and it's far from the center of São Miguel do gostoso. If you read the other reviews, keep in mind that one of the very positive ones is from the owner himself.

We were wary because of earlier negative reviews, so we came by a day ahead to see the place for ourselves. We were welcomed and shown a room and the whole inn. It's cozy, leafy, and has a sea view. Some repairs are needed, though we also noticed there are few staff for such a large property, and they may be paid little for all the work. The rooms are simple, rustic, and older in style, with a very large, comfortable bed. Breakfast was fabulous, with sweet potato, cassava, cuscuz, meats, homemade cakes, omelet, tapioca, eggs, bread, cold cuts, juice, coffee, and more. We were surprised and very satisfied. We could use all the shared areas and comfortably celebrate my partner's son's birthday with our friend, including inviting guests. The kids loved the pool. The beach is rocky, but at low tide it forms lovely pools, and it's great for walks and games. We suggested more attention to repairs, like the stairs down to the beach, and cleaning the shared pool bathroom. For the price, it's worth it. Thanks for the welcome. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful, family-friendly place.

Awful experience! If you care about hygiene in your accommodation, this isn't the place. The room looked as if it hadn't been swept in months. The sheets and towels were stained, and some were torn. There was no guest registration at reception, so the staff didn't know who was staying there. The shower and air conditioner were broken, with wires exposed. The bathroom was dirty and smelly, with no toilet paper. The bed was large and comfortable, but I worried the lack of cleaning might cause a skin irritation. Thankfully, I didn't have one. The staff were willing to help but seemed lost. I imagine they hadn't been given proper instructions for their jobs, since the inn is huge and I only saw two employees. The space is inviting, but the owners need to manage and care for the property better, and look after the staff. As a result, the guests are neglected too. I hope they make improvements and offer better service, because the place itself is excellent. Good luck!