Hotel Review: Ponta dos Ganchos, Gov. Celso Ramos, Brazil.
Overview
Recognised as the most exclusive beach resort in Brazil, Ponta dos Ganchos is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio. The bungalows are carefully distributed throughout the resort on a private peninsula surrounded by two working fishing villages and an emerald sea. Privacy and comfort assures guests a unique stay. With many activities available on site or organised nearby, you can either be as active as you like or immerse yourself in the ultimate privacy that the resort offers and just enjoy the spectacular scenery from every bungalow, the beach, island or the two (short) nature walks within the resort itself.
Hotel website: https://pontadosganchos.com.br/en/
Would I stay here again? Yes, we opted for a really relaxing time - food was exceptional, as was service and all facilities. The ultimate chill-out destination and I would go back for more in a flash!
Hotel Review: Ponta dos Ganchos - Exclusive Resort
Location
Ponta dos Ganchos (though on Brazil’s mainland) is only 50km away from the island of Florianopolis which makes it accessible from a number of airports. We were met right at the airport and transported direct to the resort in a very comfortable air-conditioned car, the driver was very knowledgeable about the resort and the local area, speaking perfect English. The resort is only open to those over 18’s, so no children disturbing the peace here. The resort is very hilly and there are a lot of either steep stairs or walkways to get around, though cars and buggies are able to take you wherever you want to go. Anyone though with mobility issues should check with the resort in advance I would suggest.
Accommodation
There are only 25 bungalows through the exclusive resort, these are made up of 6 different types (Anhatomirim, Arvoredo, Da Vila, Especial Da Vila, Esmeralda and Especial Esmeralda). They range in size from 860 to 3,300 square feet. Apart from the standard Anhatomirim (which has two deck areas but no pool), all villas have a pool on the deck, in varying increasing sizes as you go through the villa types. The top of the range Especial Esmeralda (bungalow #25) also has a gym, wine cellar, an enormous whirlpool bath as well as the infinity pool in the shape of a swim lane, and twin bathrooms. All bungalows have a dry sauna and spectacular views from the bungalow through large glass windows and the decked areas overlooking the sea.
Food & Drink
Breakfast is served any time from 7:30am in the morning, with no finish time - just whenever the last guests want to go. This is served in Espaco das Bateiras (Bateiras is a typical boat used by the local fishermen), a wooden building overlooking the water. Breakfast was served in the form of a tasting menu, small portions but lots of them - each day there was a different menu, first breakfast I’ve enjoyed with proper sandwiches! This building also houses a games room, private cinema and heated indoor pool.
Lunch is served in the restaurant by the beach, starting from 1pm and this operates right through until 1am for dinner. The choice was exception, fantastic service and this was a real highlight every day. A couple of times a week there is also a fresh fish buffet/barbeque, and if you prefer to have a private dining experience this can be organised on the separate ‘island’, on the beach or adjacent to the main restaurant.
If breakfast, lunch and dinner isn’t enough there is a full room service menu, and a light afternoon tea was served daily in the same breakfast room overlooking one of the two adjacent fishing village bays.
Dinner always started with an amuse bouche and was accompanied by delicious fresh homemade breads - the menu was varied (a la carte) and there was a separate vegetarian menu with multiple choices.
Facilities & Service
There are three (what the hotel call) tents, but these are really small bungalow buildings on a deck area just overlooking the water and surrounded by garden. The Ponta dos Ganchos spa by Sisley presents a treatment menu that focuses on relaxation, in addition to facial and therapeutic massages. I opted for the 60 minute deep tissue massage, it was absolutely heavenly - both in terms of the location and quality of treatment and oils used. Treatments ranged from R$385 (about £75 / US $100) for a 60 minute leg treatment to R$1,950 (about £385 / US $510) for a ‘Private Celebration’ - this is a 60 minute massage treatment for a couple with Sisley massage oil, carried out in the privacy of your bungalow and also encompasses a specially prepared tasting menu for the evening, served by an exclusive waiter served on your bungalow porch. This is only available for Vila and Esmeralda bungalows (#16 - #25).
As well as the indoor pool, fitness centre, private cinema and incredible beaches, the resort can organise days trips for rafting, scuba diving, various boat trips, paragliding, tennis and golf; as well as stand-up paddle boarding and other beach activities available within the resort itself. There was WiFi throughout, in each bungalow and the restaurants.
Everyday you get a letter explaining what’s on that day, there are some activities included within your package (e.g. nature walk to the adjacent beach with a guide) or additional activities that are extras.
ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?):
I think I can honestly say nothing comes to mind here.
ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights:
Location, location, location - wonderful to be so remote yet so easily accessible.
The Sisley spa - wow, what an experience.
Loved the fact that the resort was so spread out, so much privacy with excellent facilities, and no children.
Useful website links:
Hotels
Ponta Dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort https://pontadosganchos.com.br/en/
Leading Hotels of the World https://www.lhw.com
TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com
