I visited this pousada with my wife, mother-in-law, and parents in a recent trip to Floripa, selecting it after researching Floripa accommodations for more than a month. The most important things to say about this pousada are that it lacks in cleanliness and we did not find it to meet the description on the website, or indeed in this forum. I usually do not review accommodations, but feel compelled to do so for future visitors considering this pousada.

OVERALL: 2 of 5 stars.

Location: We loved Praia Armação, because it was secluded and peaceful, situated in a more residential area. The Praia do Matadeiro, a 15 min walk, is absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for a nightlife, though, which is based around the Lagoa da Conceição, you'll want to stay closer to that area.

Breakfast: It's fine, but not exceptional. For those who are not accustomed to the types of breakfast typically offered in a pousada, it may seem like an "extra" or a "bonus," but it's quite easy to find an excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, breads, and deli meats (many even have eggs), and a variety of fresh juices at many pousadas. I travel often with my wife throughout Brazil (each time we visit the in-laws), and I would say this was the least impressive breakfast. It's a good breakfast, don't get me wrong, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have had better even at more humble accommodations where I stayed when I was a student.

Value: I would say this is expensive for what you receive.

Service: The service was OK. On two separate occasions, restaurants that were recommended were closed when we arrived. Part of the blame here lies in the fact that we visited about 15 days before high season began, but before recommending a restaurant, but before recommending a place, we felt strongly that a recommendation shouldn't be made if one doesn't know the restaurant is open. Further complicated by the fact that the telephones in the room cannot make a call outside the pousada, guests depend on the pousada owner to confirm such details.

Rooms: The rooms are basic. The greatest challenge, particularly in the bathroom, was cleanliness. There were notable mold stains on the bathtub basin, and the daily cleaning was not thorough. Sheets were supposed to be changed every other day (per the policy listed in the pousada's informational pamphlet), though they were only replaced once during our stay of five nights. Further, though I'm not much of a TV viewer on vacation, it should be noted that the cable television only works in the main library/recreation room--there were all of 4 channels that came through clearly in the luxury suite's television. The jacuzzi bathtub is very small.

SUMMARY: The five of us left truly consternated after our stay here: how, with so many good reviews here, could this place be only mediocre? I imagine that in another era, it was perhaps better. I truly don't know. While my parents, wife, and in-laws are generally more demanding than I am with accommodations, I truly felt this pousada to be lacking for the value. The location is marvelous, the pousada itself--nothing special. I would not return.