Escape to Paradise: Aquarela Pirenópolis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Aquarela Pirenópolis Awaits! - A Messy, Honest, and Ultimately, Wonderful Review
Okay, let me tell you, folks, I've been to a few places. Hotels, hostels, the occasional dodgy tent pitch… but Aquarela Pirenópolis? Well, that's something else entirely. This isn't your sterile, cookie-cutter hotel review. This is me, spilling my guts, warts and all, on my experience. So, grab a coffee (or something stronger!), because we're diving in.
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First things first: Accessibility. I wouldn't say I'm personally looking for wheelchair accessibility, but I always notice it. It’s just good karma, you know? And Aquarela seems to get it. The website promises and the elevators, ramps, and (I think) accessible rooms that I spied seemed to be there. They earn massive points for even thinking about it. That’s a huge win in my book.
Let's Talk About Food and My Waistline… (or Lack Thereof!)
Alright, the dining situation. Where do I even begin? The sheer CHOICES! A la carte in the restaurant? Check. Buffet? Double-check! Breakfast was like a glorious, carb-laden battlefield. I mean, Asian breakfast and Western breakfast both vying for my attention? My resolve crumbled faster than a bad biscotti. The coffee/tea in the restaurant situation was on point. Coffee shop? Oh, yes. And a poolside bar that was practically calling my name with every dip in the deliciously refreshing swimming pool [outdoor]. I might have spent a few hours just… existing near that bar. No judgement! The snack bar was a lifesaver. And the desserts in the restaurant… let’s just say they were a frequent flyer. My own personal experience was that the staff went out of their to offer a vegetarian options which was amazing!
And speaking of service… the room service [24-hour] was both a blessing and a curse. Because, well, sometimes you just need a midnight snack. And the curse part? Well, my pants started fitting… tighter. Aquarela Pirenópolis, you sly devil! If I ever needed a quick meal to be arranged it was no problem.
There's even a vegetarian restaurant option.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because Let's Be Honest, It Matters
Right, let's get serious for a moment. Post-pandemic, cleanliness is king. And Aquarela seems to have really gotten the memo. I'm talking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. They are serious about your safety. My room, when I walked in, it smelled like… clean. (Not sterile, just… clean.) The inclusion of Hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE was reassuring. And the Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items put my mind at ease. It felt safe. And isn't that what we all want? They had Staff trained in safety protocol! Phew!
The Room: My Little Oasis
My room… oh, my room. It was a haven! A veritable fortress of coziness and relaxation. Let's list all the good stuff:
- Air conditioning: Essential in Brazil!
- Alarm Clock: (Though I used my phone… old habits, right?)
- Bathtub: Because bubbles are mandatory.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for avoiding the early morning sun – or, you know, recovering from the night before.
- Coffee/tea maker: Bless them.
- Desk: For pretending to work.
- Internet access – wireless - Yep, worked like a charm.
- Mini bar: Temptation, personified.
- Non-smoking: A blessing.
- Private bathroom: Always a plus.
- Refrigerator: For the vital supplies (aka, soda and snacks).
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury, baby.
- Slippers: Little touches make a big difference.
- Wake-up service: (I probably missed a few.)
- Wi-Fi [free]: Another win!
- Window that opens: To let in the fresh Brazilian air.
- Room decorations - A touch of art or a well placed plant that really makes a room feel more than just a room
The Bedding so comfortable I had to force myself to roll out.
Relaxation Central: Spa, Pools, and Bliss (aka… the things people really want to know about)
Okay, let’s be real. This is why you're here, isn't it? The spa. The pool. The sheer possibility of doing absolutely nothing. Let's start with the spa. It had everything you could want, just like the website promised, Body scrub, Body wraps, Foot bath, Massage - I had a massage. It was so good I was in a blissed-out stupor for a solid few hours afterward. My skin felt amazing. I could have stayed there all day.
And the swimming pool [outdoor]? Stunning. Especially at sunset. There's also a Pool with view that I should mention here.
And for the fitness freaks, there's a Fitness center and Gym/fitness!
The Downside (Because No Place is Perfect, Right?)
Okay, so here's the thing. I loved Aquarela. Seriously. But I'm not going to pretend it was flawless. Small Meeting/banquet facilities if you need a small business meeting.
There are a few minor inconveniences.
- The Internet… while generally reliable, had moments of… hesitation. But hey, I was on vacation, so I rolled with it.
- The journey from the airport. (They offer Airport transfer, though, which is a plus.)
The Verdict: Go. Seriously. Go!
Look, I'm a tough critic. I'm cynical. But Aquarela Pirenópolis genuinely surprised me. It's a place where you can truly escape. It's beautiful, well-maintained, safe, and the staff are genuinely lovely. Most importantly, it’s a place where you can relax, recharge, and forget about the world for a little while. And honestly? We all need that, don't we?
So, go. Soak up the sun, take a dip in the pool, get a massage, and eat all the delicious food. You won't regret it. I, for one, am already planning my return.
Escape to Paradise: Sai Kaew Beach Resort Awaits!Okay, buckle up, buttercup, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into my Pousada Aquarela Pirenopolis adventure. Forget those sterile, color-coordinated itineraries; this is the real deal, the slightly-burnt-around-the-edges version.
Pousada Aquarela Pirenópolis: A Week of Questionable Choices (and Lots of Caipirinhas)
Day 1: Arrival – Because the Universe Obviously Hates Me
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up late to the panicked screeching of my alarm. Curse that tiny, evil, digital device! Rushed to the airport, fueled by yesterday's questionable leftovers. Felt like I had a small, grumpy badger living in my stomach.
- 10:00 AM: Flight to Brasilia. Which, let's be honest, is not exactly the most glamorous airport experience. Sat next to a screaming toddler who seemed to think my ear was a personal drum kit. Tried to meditate. Failed miserably.
- 12:00 PM: Finally landed in Brasilia. The airport was a beige concrete jungle. Found a taxi. Negotiated (badly) for a ride to Pirenópolis. The driver kept telling me about his ex-wife and her chihuahua, which I assume has nothing to do with the price of gasoline, but what do I know?
- 2:30 PM: ARRIVED! At Posada Aquarela. Finally! The website photos? Lies. Glorious lies. The pousada is even prettier in person. Think vibrant colours, bougainvillea spilling everywhere, that warm, inviting, slightly-musty smell of old wood and sunshine. Checked into my room, a charming disaster zone of mismatched furniture and mosquito netting that looks like it's seen some things. Loved it immediately.
- 3:00 PM: The first caipirinha. A triumphant moment. Ordered it by the pool, which is actually a little more of a plunge pool, but who's judging? Sipped it slowly, trying to remember how to unwind. The sun was beating down, my head was throbbing from the travel, the caiprinha was hitting the spot. Perfect.
- 5:00 PM: Wandered around Pirenópolis. The town itself is a sugar-cube dream, cobbled streets, colourful colonial houses. Felt like I'd walked into a postcard. Stopped to admire a ridiculously fluffy cat perched on a windowsill. Seriously, the cats of Pirenópolis are living their best lives.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at a tiny restaurant, "O Trem das Onze" (which is train 11, but in this place, the schedule runs more on 'Brazil time'). Ordered the moqueca de peixe – a fish stew in coconut milk. Best. Thing. Ever. Sopped up the sauce with bread, nearly licked the plate (because: manners).
- 9:30 PM: Collapsed in bed, exhausted but content. Made mental note to buy earplugs for the dawn chorus of roosters. And the occasional dog fight.
Day 2: Waterfalls and Regrets
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast! The pousada’s breakfast is a thing of beauty, bread, fruits, eggs, cheese, coffee. I might have had seconds. Possibly thirds. I love a good buffet.
- 10:30 AM: Off to the Cachoeira das Araras (Waterfall of the Macaws). The drive was scenic… and terrifying. My attempts at speaking Portugese were met with polite blank stares from the locals.
- 11:30 AM: The waterfall! Spectacular. Crystal-clear water cascading down the rocks. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something indefinably exotic. Took a dip. Freezing. But I plunged in anyway. The cold water shock was invigorating.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a churrascaria (Brazilian barbecue) by the waterfall. A meat-coma waiting to happen. A delightful meat-coma. They were serving the fattiest of cuts. I ate everything. Everything. I'm pretty sure there were four different types of sausage alone.
- 3:00 PM: Tried to hike to another waterfall. Got hopelessly lost. Spent an hour wandering around in the blazing sun, convinced I was going to be devoured by giant spiders. Finally stumbled back, sunburnt and defeated. Lesson learned: always bring water. And a map. And maybe a survival course.
- 6:00 PM: Another caipirinha at the pousada. Needed it. Also, I was quite hungry again. Life of the over eater.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. Tried to be healthier. Ordered a grilled fish. It was bland. Regretted not having the moqueca again. Seriously considering finding a secret stash of it.
Day 3: Caving and the Case of the Disappearing Cash
- 9:00 AM: Did I mention breakfast? I love breakfast. Same again, and yes, thirds.
- 10:00 AM: Visited "Gruta do Lázaro" (Lázaro Cave). Amazing rock formations, deep, echoing darkness. But the tour guide kept speaking in rapid-fire Portuguese, and I only understood about half of it. Felt like I was back in school.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a restaurant with a balcony overlooking the town. Ordered a steak and fries. Was delicious, but something felt off.
- 1:00 PM: Realized my wallet was missing. PANIC! Raced back to the restaurant. No luck. Checked my pockets. No luck. Searched my bag. Nothing. Suddenly, I was pretty sure this whole trip was a conspiracy. Maybe I was hallucinating this whole thing. Maybe a giant spider took my wallet.
- 2:00 PM: Went to the police station. Well, it was more of a small room with a bored officer and a slightly grumpy-looking cat. Filed a report (in broken Portuguese). The officer took absolutely no interest and looked at me with amusement.
- 4:00 PM: Decided that everything was going to be fine, and went and had a caiprinha. I'm going to run a tab with the hotel!
- 6:00 PM: Went back to my room. Found my wallet in the drawer. The end. Thank God for that.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. Celebrated my wallet’s miraculous reappearance with a pizza. It wasn't great pizza. But who cares? I had cash!
Day 4: Horseback Riding – My Near-Death Experience (Maybe)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast - you know the drill!
- 10:00 AM: Horseback riding! I love horses. Until I'm on them. Booked a trail ride. Looked like a scene from a Western. I felt pretty brave.
- 10:30 AM: The horse was named "Zephyr." The cowboy was really lovely. Zephyr was not so lovely. Zephyr seemed to have a personal vendetta against me. Also, Zephyr was really, really slow.
- 11:30 AM: The trail. Beautiful scenery. My heart rate was through the roof. Zephyr kept trying to eat the scenery, which involved stopping every fifteen seconds. When Zephyr wasn't trying to eat the scenery, he was trying to rub himself on trees. The cowboy kept shouting things in Portuguese, which I was pretty sure was "Hold on!", and for the last hour, I clung for dear life.
- 12:30 PM: Almost fell off the horse. Twice. Zephyr suddenly decided he didn't want to follow the trail anymore and veered dramatically towards a ravine. I'm pretty sure I blacked out for a second. Or maybe I died. This entire experience was pure terror.
- 1:00 PM: Back at the pousada, still shaking. Took a long, hot shower to wash away the trauma. Decided I would never ride a horse again in my life. Maybe I should adopt a cat.
- 6:00 PM: More caipirinhas! Needed to take the edge off.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. At the same restaurant as day one. The moqueca was calling to me. It was the perfect comfort food after staring death in the face.
Day 5: Relax, Rest, Repeat
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. You get it.
- 10:00 AM: Slept in, which I needed, after my near death experience the previous day.
Escape to Paradise: Aquarela Pirenópolis Awaits! (Or, You Know, *Try* to Escape) - FAQs, Kinda...
Okay, so what *IS* this "Escape to Paradise" thing, exactly? Sounds a bit... grand.
Alright, alright, settle down. "Escape to Paradise: Aquarela Pirenópolis Awaits!" is basically a fancy way of saying... you're going to Pirenópolis, Brazil. Specifically, to the Aquarela Pirenópolis, which is, from what I gather (and trust me, I've done my digging, mostly on Instagram), a beautiful, newish resort. Think rolling hills, waterfalls, and... hopefully, a break from reality. The "Escape" part is the *dream*, right? The *goal*. Whether you actually *escape* your life... well, that depends on how much wine you consume, let's be honest.
So, is Pirenópolis actually... paradise-y? Or is it just Insta-bait? (I'm looking at *you*, filtered waterfalls.)
Okay, this hits close to home. I saw *so* many perfect pictures. Like, photoshopped-to-within-an-inch-of-their-lives perfect. And, honestly? Pirenópolis *IS* seriously pretty. The cobblestone streets? Adorable. The waterfalls? Legit. But... and this is a BIG but... it's not *flawless*. It's not Eden. I saw a dude in a speedo that should have been illegal. And the heat? Good lord, the heat. Like, you step out of the car, and you're immediately a sweaty, frizz-haired mess. So, Insta-bait? Partially, yes. But with a healthy dose of genuine charm. Just... manage your expectations. And bring deodorant. Seriously.
What about the Aquarela Pirenópolis itself? Is it as amazing as the photos suggest? Spill the tea!
Alright, here's the lowdown, and the *real* lowdown. The resort itself *is* stunning. The design is gorgeous, all that wood and glass making it feel very modern-but-rustic at the same time. The infinity pool overlooking the valley? Yup, it's as dreamy as it looks. I spent, like, a solid hour just floating there, feeling all my worries melt away... (except for the ones about how much the tiny cocktails were costing me). But *here's* where things get... complicated. The service was a *bit* hit and miss. Sometimes, amazing. Other times... well, let's just say I had to flag down a waiter for my third attempt to order a glass of wine. Which, after a long day of trekking around, is just WRONG. Also, the internet... oh, the internet. Spotty. Like, dial-up in the 21st century spotty. Which, for a modern resort, is practically medieval. Still, the views almost make up for it, if you can look past the occasional glitchy wifi.
Let's talk food. What can I expect to *eat* in Pirenópolis? And at the resort specifically?
Food! Okay, this is a good one. Pirenópolis does *not* disappoint in the food department. Lots of hearty, traditional Brazilian fare. Think Feijoada (stew), grilled meats, and farofa (toasted cassava flour). And *so* much cheese bread. Seriously, I think I gained five pounds just from that alone. At the Aquarela, the breakfast buffet was epic. Absolutely epic. Everything you could imagine. Pastries, fruit (mangoes that tasted like sunshine!), eggs cooked every way imaginable…I practically waddled to my lounger every morning. Dinner? A little more hit and miss. Some nights were amazing, beautifully presented, and perfectly cooked. (That grilled lamb! *Swoon*). Other nights... a little underwhelming. Still, it's hard to complain too much when you're sipping caipirinhas under the stars. Don't skip the local sweets, either. They're incredible. Just... pace yourself. Because, trust me, the food coma is real. The food coma is *very* real.
Okay, so...what's a *must-do* in Pirenópolis? Don't give me the generic tourist crap. Give me the *real* deal.
Alright, listen up. Forget the generic tourist stuff. The *must-do*? **Go to a waterfall.** Seriously. I went to *several*. I hiked, I splashed around (mostly in my hideous but practical water shoes), I got completely soaked, and I loved every single second of it. There's a hike to a waterfall where you can even jump off a cliff, for the adventurous! (I may or may not have cried a little beforehand...but I did it!). The best part? Being surrounded by nature. The sound of the water crashing, the birds chirping, the sun warming your skin... it's just... pure magic. **Pro tip:** Bring water shoes and bug spray. And maybe some waterproof sunscreen. Because the sun is ruthless. Trust me on this. I am speaking from experience. I'm currently sporting a sunburn that looks like I'm wearing a particularly aggressive tomato.
Tell me about *getting around*. Is relying on my feet the only way? Or are there other options, and how accessible are they?
Getting around Pirenópolis... well, that depends on your tolerance for walking, hills, and the occasional cobblestone-related ankle sprain. The historic center is *very* walkable. It's charming, with those narrow streets, but it also means you're often climbing up or down something. Prepare your glutes! Taxis and ride-sharing (like Uber) are available, but slightly scarce, especially at peak times or when the rain starts. Check it out! The resort will likely have shuttle services, which is great for getting to and from the town. But... also remember to plan ahead. Don't assume you can just hail a ride whenever you feel like it! Accessibility? It's a mixed bag. Some areas are very easy to navigate, especially in the main square. However, those cobblestone streets are a constant pain.
Any regrets? Anything you'd do differently if you went back?
Regrets? Hmm... Oh, *absolutely*. **I regret not packing enough sunscreen!** My lobster-red skin agrees. I also regret... not learning more basic Portuguese. My attempts to order things usually resulted in a lot of awkward pointing and charades. If I went back? I'd definitely book that massage earlier, and not wait until the last day. I'd probably also pack more comfortable shoes and a hat. Oh, and maybe a phrasebook that actually works. And I'd *definitely* try more of the local cachaca (Brazilian rum), but maybe not all at onceBudapest's Attila Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
