Florianopolis Paradise Found: Casa da Lagoa Pousada Awaits!
Florianopolis Paradise Found? Casa da Lagoa Pousada - Buckle Up, Buttercup! A Review That Isn't Just a Brochure.
Okay, so you're thinking Florianopolis? You're googling "Paradise Found?" And Casa da Lagoa Pousada pops up. Well, grab your caipirinhas and brace yourselves, because I’m about to spill the beans. This ain't your typical sterile, PR-approved review. This is the REAL DEAL, unfiltered and occasionally rambling, from someone who just survived (and loved) a week at this place.
First Impressions: The Good (Mostly)
The website photos? They’re not entirely lying. Casa da Lagoa is pretty. Nestled on the Lagoa da Conceição, it's a total vibe. The turquoise water, the lush greenery… it's the postcard you sent your friends (and secretly hoped they’d be jealous of). The staff? Mostly lovely, always trying to help, though my Portuguese is… let’s say, “developing.”
Accessibility? Let's Be Honest (and Hope They're Listening)
Okay, so here’s where things get a little… blurry. Wheelchair accessible? Hmm. They claim to have facilities, but I’m not entirely sure how extensive they are. There’s an elevator (thank the heavens!), and I recall seeing ramps, but it’s not clear exactly where they lead. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I’d HIGHLY recommend contacting them DIRECTLY to discuss your specific needs. Don't rely on just my word here – I’m a healthy, able-bodied person, so I can't fully vouch. This is important. Speak to them, get the details.
Inside the Fortress (aka My Room) - The "Oh, This Is Nice" Factor
Available in all rooms: Okay, let's break down the list:
- Air conditioning: Essential. Absolutely essential. It's Brazil, people. Embrace the AC.
- Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone - fancy shmancy, I liked that one
- Bathtub: Mine didn't have one, but I'm not a bath person.
- Blackout curtains: Glorious for those post-beach naps.
- Closet: Check. Needed to hang up that one fancy dress I never wore.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Nice touch! Although, honestly, I preferred the coffee shop downstairs…
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always sparkling clean.
- Desk, Extra long bed: Perfect for my 6'2" frame.
- Free bottled water: Saved a few bucks from the mini bar.
- Hair dryer: Always appreciated, though I'm pretty sure I left mine at home again.
- High floor: Fantastic views.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind. Although, my most valuable possession was probably my passport and my book…
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great if you're traveling with a family.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Fast and reliable. Didn't have to worry about dodgy Wi-Fi.
- Ironing facilities: Never ironed a thing. Beach life, baby!
- Laptop workspace: Handy, for checking emails between caipirinhas.
- Linens: Clean and comfy.
- Mini bar: I was good, but I succumbed to the occasional treat.
- Mirror: Plenty to check your tan in.
- Non-smoking: Always a plus.
- On-demand movies: I didn't use it. The beach was my movie.
- Private bathroom: Always a must.
- Reading light: I snuggled up with a book every night.
- Refrigerator: Needed it to keep my beers cold.
- Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels: I didn't turn the TV on, who needs that?
- Scale: Uh oh.
- Seating area: Comfortable for lounging and planning adventures.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Didn't have a tub.
- Shower: Good water pressure, no complaints here.
- Slippers: Fancy.
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Soundproofing: Pretty effective, didn't hear anything.
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Telephone: In case you're old fashioned.
- Toiletries: The little bottles are always appreciated.
- Towels: Fresh towels every day.
- Umbrella: It rained one day, yay umbrellas!
- Visual alarm, Wake-up service: Never needed these.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Always a life saver.
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The Food & Drink Saga: My Happy Place, Seriously
Okay, let’s get real: the food scene is a BIG reason you come here. And Casa da Lagoa nailed it.
**(Side Note: I'm not sure what happened to descriptions for these items)
- A la carte in restaurant: Options, options, options!
- Alternative meal arrangement: They'll work with you on allergies, just ask.
- Asian breakfast: Didn't try it.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't explore this one.
- Bar: Fantastic. The caipirinhas were dangerous, in the BEST way.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Amazing. Seriously, the best Brazilian breakfast I've ever had.
- Breakfast service: All day, yay!
- Buffet in restaurant: Good for the indecisive.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential. The coffee was STRONG.
- Coffee shop: I spent way too much time there.
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh. My. God. The brigadeiros… swoon.
- Happy hour: The best time to be alive.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Something for everyone.
- Poolside bar: Perfect for forgetting all your worries.
- Restaurants: Delicious, diverse, and worth every cent.
- Room service [24-hour]: I didn't use it, but good to know it's there.
- Salad in restaurant: For the healthy folks out there…
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite between beach trips.
- Soup in restaurant: Didn't have any, I am a fish.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Didn't see.
- Western breakfast: Delicious, traditional.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Great steaks.
**Let's talk about that *Breakfast [buffet]* … seriously.**
Okay, so picture this: a sun-drenched room overlooking the lagoon. Tables laden with fresh fruit (pineapple, mango, passion fruit… the works!), flaky pastries, freshly baked bread, and a hot station with eggs, bacon, and those heavenly pão de queijo (cheese bread) that you'll dream about for weeks.
I spent hours grazing at that buffet. Seriously. I felt like a queen. I would wake up, wander down in my robe, fill a plate, then strategically return for seconds (and thirds, let’s be honest). My favorite? The fresh passion fruit juice. A burst of sunshine in a glass. Honestly, it's worth the price of admission alone. That breakfast buffet is a big reason I would stay again.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beaches, Babes, and… More Beaches!
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Didn't try either one.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I didn't use the gym. Gyms are for places that aren't Brazil!
- Foot bath: Didn't even know that was a thing.
- Massage: Didn't go but I heard great things.
- Pool with view: Stunning. The infinity pool looked out over the lagoon. Magical.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Never used.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was a godsend after a day at the beach.
- Cleanliness and safety: Felt safe here, everything was clean.
Florianopolis itself is a paradise for beach lovers. You've got Praia Mole for surfing, Joaquina for the sand dunes, and countless other hidden coves to discover. Casa da Lagoa is well-placed to explore them all.
The Nitty-Gritty: Services & Conveniences (The Good Stuff)
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities: Didn't use any of these.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient for those emergency caipirinhas.
- Concierge: Helpful with tips and recommendations.
- **Contactless check-in
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just traveling to Florianopolis, Brazil, at Pousada Casa da Lagoa, we're living it. This isn't your sterile, color-coded itinerary. This is the messy, glorious, sun-kissed truth. And frankly, I'm a little bit terrified… but mostly EXCITED.
Florianopolis: Casa da Lagoa – The Chaos Begins (AKA: The Itinerary… Maybe?)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle of '24 (and Jet Lag)
- Morning (or what passes for morning after 14 hours in transit): Arrive into Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN). The actual airport is shockingly modern, which immediately puts me on edge. Modern = things can go wrong in exciting, complicated ways. Collect bags… or at least try to. Because, you know, one bag decided to stage a luggage strike in Madrid. Still missing in action. Cue internal panic. Will I ever see my lucky socks again?
- Mid-Morning: Taxi to Casa da Lagoa. Oh. My. God. Google Maps lied. The directions are a labyrinth of winding streets and hairpin turns that would make a Formula 1 driver sweat. My taxi driver, bless his heart, speaks about as much English as I speak Portuguese (which is… literally zero). We eventually arrive, triumphantly flinging ourselves into a tiny alley – a promising start!
- Lunch: Finally, into the Casa da Lagoa! It's even more charming than the pictures. Think: overflowing bougainvillea, brightly painted chairs, and a view of the lagoon that literally makes you want to cry (in a good way). Lunch at their restaurant? Absolutely not. First I need to unpack.
- Afternoon: That unpack becomes a 'dump everything on the bed and pray' situation. Then, jet lag hits me like a rogue wave. Naps are mandatory, but somehow my brain will not switch off, the thoughts racing and I can't find the 'rest' button.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant nearby. We find a restaurant. We had the same conversation with the waiter for several minutes. My friend ordered the "fish", and I ordered a "steak". The meals arrive - hers is a lovely seabass. The steak? Well, let's just say it was a tough journey, for both me and the poor cow. Post-dinner: crashed.
Day 2: The Lagoon, the Beach, and the Eternal Quest for Coffee
- Morning: Wake up to the sun. That's the only constant I seem able to trust at this point. Breakfast at Casa da Lagoa. Fresh fruit, strong coffee (thank god), and that view… still stunning, still making me want to get all misty-eyed.
- Mid-Morning: Rent bikes. This felt like a spectacularly terrible idea. Pedaling along the lagoon with the wind whipping through my hair (or what's left of it) is idyllic. Until you realize your bike has gears older than you are. And then fall. Twice.
- Lunch: A little beachfront shack. Fresh seafood. Cold beer. Ah, bliss. I realize I haven't seen my missing bag in a while. I should check to see what is going on.
- Afternoon: The beach! Praia Mole, specifically. The sand is like powdered sugar, the water turquoise. I get a sunburn and hate myself. Someone suggested that I "should go topless", which I did not dare to accept.
- Evening: Back to Casa da Lagoa. Shower, then try to get "fancy" and dress well for dinner. Failed. More wandering. More finding of a restaurant. More ordering of things. This time, I eat "Feijoada" (Brazilian black bean stew with pork). Too much, and I am now starting to feel unwell.
Day 3: The Island's Heart and the Great (and Horrifying) Seafood Experience
- Morning: Explore Centro, the historical heart of Florianopolis. Cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, a bustling market. Buy souvenirs that I'll probably regret later. It's got its charm, but honestly, everything's a bit overwhelming.
- Lunch: Now, this is where things get… interesting. We head for a seafood restaurant on the waterfront. We order "fresh fish". We ordered other things, too, but it came to a stand still when the fish arrived. It was whole. Eyes staring back at me. This isn't a tiny bit of "fish and chips" or the simple meal I'm used to. I was supposed to eat the entire fish. But it's my fish. I have to make a show of it. I had to try it. I choked it down, but then I got the idea that I was going to be sick, and I bolted.
- Afternoon: Recover. In my room, I am just recovering. Trying to get my mind off the fish.
- Evening: Walking around the lake. It is a gorgeous evening. I'm better now. Dinner at a simpler seafood restaurant, and more beer.
Day 4: The Search for Lost Socks, and a Sudden Bout of Sadness (Don't Judge)
- Morning: Try to locate the lost luggage. Call the airport, call the airline, and try to figure out what happened. The answer. Nothing. I’m starting to think one of my socks is having a lovely holiday.
- Mid-Morning: Feeling a bit down. I wander alone, get into trouble. Think about everything.
- Afternoon: The beach again! This time, I swear I'm bringing a hat and sunscreen. And maybe a therapist in my pocket. Trying my best to enjoy the sunlight, the sand, and the ocean.
- Evening: More wandering. Talking with new faces.
Day 5: Departure (and the Promise to Return)
- Morning: Wake up. Have breakfast. Start to pack. The lost luggage is still lost. My heart wants to stay.
- Mid-Morning: One last walk along the lagoon. A final deep breath of that salty air.
- Afternoon: Farewell to Casa da Lagoa. It's more than a hotel; it felt like a home, flawed and chaotic, too. Taxi to the airport. This time, I'm prepared for anything.
- Evening: Goodbye, Florianopolis. Goodbye, Brazil. I will be back. Maybe with my bag. Probably with more stories.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was a mess, a triumph, a sunburn, a lost sock, a whole fish, a slice of paradise. It was life, in all its glorious, chaotic, jet-lagged glory. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's just hope the next time I order fish, it's already filleted… and I find those damn socks.
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Florianopolis Paradise Found: Casa da Lagoa Pousada Awaits! – Your Messy Guide
Okay, so... Casa da Lagoa. Is it *actually* paradise? Because, you know, Instagram lies.
Alright, real talk. Paradise? Maybe... but with a healthy dose of reality. First off: yes, the pictures are gorgeous. The lagoon is breathtaking. The vibe? Chill. But I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm a chaotic human. My expectations are usually wildly unrealistic. And guess what? *Sometimes* reality punches you in the face with a slightly leaky showerhead. (More on that later...)
So, yes, it's beautiful. But it's not a perfectly curated magazine spread. It's real life, with all the glorious and sometimes slightly annoying bits that come with it. Embrace it! You might just fall in love with the imperfect beauty of it all.
What's the best part, hands down? Don't hold back!
The best part? Oh, man. This is tough. Okay, okay... here's the thing. The *vibe*. Honestly. It's just... relaxed. Like, melt-into-your-sun-soaked-sandal relaxed. Picture this: I was there, and I swear, every morning, a tiny, slightly grumpy-looking *garça* (heron) would stand on the dock, judging the other guests. Hilarious! It's just this... *good* energy. It's the kind of place where you can absolutely shamelessly wear board shorts all day and no one bats an eye. That, and the *sunset* over the lagoon. My god, I almost cried. It's pure gold, every single night. Seriously. Prepare. It's special.
Let's talk rooms. Are they as idyllic as they look? Spill the tea!
Okay, the rooms. Right. They ARE lovely. Think simple, clean, a touch rustic. My room? Okay, confession time. It had a *tiny* leak in the shower. Like, a little drip, drip, drip situation. Was it ideal? No. Did I mention it to the folks at reception? Absolutely not! Because I am conflict avoidant! But honestly, after the initial "oh, bother," I kind of forgot about it. It was the kind of leak that just felt part of the charm. The bed was comfy. The view from my window? Amazing. (I was obsessed with this little cat that would sunbathe on a nearby roof – pure joy to watch in the afternoons.) Bottom line: they're charming. They're not the Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons. Manage your expectations. You'll survive and, you know, enjoy the view.
The food. Is it worth getting out of bed for?
The breakfast… Ugh, ok, okay, I got a little obsessed. They had *pão de queijo*. And fresh fruit. And eggs cooked to order! *Oh my god, the eggs.* I had, like, three plates of breakfast every morning. Some of it was probably carbs, my brain was a mess. The coffee was strong. The setting? Right on the water. It was hard to remember what day it was. It was heavenly. The kitchen is a place of pure, unadulterated happiness. Yes, you *should* get out of bed for that (and don't judge the three plates of eggs). I miss it already.
How's the service? Are the staff friendly or just… *okay*?
The staff? They're wonderful! Seriously. They are genuinely friendly, helpful, and seem to actually *like* their jobs. They speak English. They go out of their way. I really, really appreciate that. Remember the slightly leaky shower? Well, it took me three days to get over my awkwardness and awkwardly mention it (see: conflict avoidance). The staff immediately wanted to fix it. So, good service, good people. They also gave great tips on where to go and what to see. 11/10 would recommend.
Anything… *bad*? Any downsides we should know about?
Alright, let's be real here. The bugs. There will be bugs! Nature, you know? It's not a sterile hotel room. Bring bug spray. End of rant. Also, the Wi-Fi in my room wasn't always the strongest. But honestly? I barely used it. I was too busy staring at the lagoon. And, okay, there was a *certain* someone who snored. Loudly. In the room next to mine. That's not Casa Da Lagoa's fault. That's the universe's fault. I would say listen to some white noise, or get your own earplugs. I'm just saying.
Is it family-friendly? Do I have to worry about screaming kids or… couples making out everywhere?
It's... a mixed bag. I saw a few families there and they seemed to be having a lovely time. There's space for kids to run around, and the lagoon is calm. BUT (and this is a big but for me), it's definitely more of a romantic / chill place. If you're planning a wild, loud family vacation with toddlers, maybe this isn't the best choice. Likewise, if you're looking for a party atmosphere, you're in the wrong place. It's more geared towards couples and people looking for a relaxing getaway. Some people might be making out *everywhere*, but I'm the last person to know, or really to see, as I tend to be lost in my own world, but you do you.
What's the best way to get around? And how far is it from the beaches?
You *need* to rent a car. Seriously. Get a car. Florianopolis is a big island, and you'll want to explore. Taxis are expensive. Public transport is… let's just say, it's an adventure. A car gives you the freedom to hit all the beaches! And the beaches are AMAZING! Some are a short drive away. Others are a bit further. But trust me, it's worth it. You've *gotta* go to Joaquina Beach! The sand! The waves! The people-watching! Seriously, give yourself a week, rent a car, and do it. Or, if you're like me, and always a little late, two weeks. It's fantastic.
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