UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa

The hotel itself was nice, but service was terrible and the food only mediocre. They also tried to overcharge us twice, and the beach bar was one of the worst. Avoid this place.

The spa was a lovely way to unwind after exploring Trancoso or spending time on the beaches. The therapists gave us treatments that left us feeling refreshed. We also loved the food, with Bahian flavors, fresh seafood, and tropical fruit throughout our meals. The gardens were beautiful to wander through, full of bright flowers and calm little corners. Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa felt like a tropical retreat, with rustic details mixed with modern style. The staff greeted us warmly and looked after us throughout our stay. Set in Trancoso in Bahia, the hotel felt like more than somewhere to sleep. We found the whole stay immersive and beautiful, with time for both relaxation and adventure. I share quiet corners and cultural highlights like this on Instagram: @postcardsandcoordinates

The people at UXUA are what made the stay for us. Adriano looked after security around Casa Das Artes, where we stayed in a beautiful villa filled with local art and a private pool. He was warm and helpful, patient with our very bad Portuguese, and gave us advice about local customs and places to go. He was attentive and made us feel secure. The area is very safe, though the house is so beautiful that tourists often stop to take pictures and ask questions. Gisele, one of the concierges, translated during a memorable visit with Ze, a local ceramicist who welcomed us into his home and showed us his work. She was fun to spend time with and knew a lot. Leo was a welcoming chef who patiently taught us to make Moqueca, which was so good, and Harlan helped us plan things and was friendly and knowledgeable. There were too many great people to name them all. Jimmy gave us a tour when we arrived, and Harlan saw us off to the airport. The breakfasts were incredible. The local artisans make all the decor and furniture, and you can meet them and learn from them. The lodging and amenities were thoughtfully done, and the place is breathtaking in a way photos can't capture. I hesitated to write in English because Americans can treat beautiful places like Disney World, but after such an amazing visit I had to say something. If you appreciate nature, respect local culture and customs, and enjoy adventure, run, don't walk, to Troncoso and UXUA. We can't say enough good things and will be back.

The room's custom-made furniture gave it a one-of-a-kind feel, and they did a solid job with the rustic luxury style. The hotel is right in town, with a great beach setup about a 15 minute walk away. Breakfast was great, and they serve good food at other times too. We paid $400+ USD a night, so being charged separately for the Nespresso in the room was frustrating. The AC wasn't very strong, though that may be expected with such a large room and windows that didn't close very well. The mosquito net over the bed worked really well.