Pousada Da Ilha

I had a relaxing break at the SPA and got an excellent massage from the very cute Emily. Highly recommend!

A lovely, genuinely relaxing place, with thoughtful design and a close connection to nature, the ocean, and the sun. The food is healthy and there's plenty of it, and people are very friendly. Elienai and a colleague helped me a lot. More English speaking staff would be helpful for international guests. Getting here isn't easy for international travelers, but it's worth the effort.

We had a great family stay, with friendly, efficient staff providing wonderful service. We had lots of fun in the beach waves, cycling around the island, and kayaking in the estuary. My mother-in-law uses a chair, and the team did a fantastic job helping her, and all of us, take part in as much as possible. I'd highly recommend this place for a family holiday.

The food was a highlight: varied buffets at every meal, especially dinner, and food available all the time. There's plenty to do, including activities for kids. Hats off to Binho at the Casino. The bungalow rooms are old and dark, with no windows, and the accommodation is far away. Towels, bathroom items, the TV, and the beds felt like they belonged in a 3-star hotel. The sand is white, but the water looks brown and muddy, even though it's clean, rather than blue or green. We stayed in bungalow 600, a 15-minute walk from the restaurants and pool. I'd suggest booking a beach-facing bungalow with the lowest number possible. Arrange your own airport transfer, since Ilhéus is 90 minutes away. If you can, fly to Comandatuba airport, which only has flights on Sundays. Bring your own personal items, as there are no cotton buds or good soap in the room. If you're a silt, avoid the big pool slide. It's super fun, but it ends in a shallow pool and the injury risk is high. This isn't the place for privacy or a quiet break. It could suit people with young kids or those who play tennis.