Paraíso Azul Retiro

Paraíso Azul Retiro is a small lodge with 12 rooms, set on the shore of Ilha Grande with the Atlantic Forest close behind. You come here for a sea-facing stay rather than a resort with a timetable: the restaurant and bar sit above the water, the beach is directly outside, and the outdoor pool gives you somewhere else to sit when you have had enough sand for one day.

The place works particularly well for couples who want their evenings to stay on site, with a view and a hot tub rather than a search for dinner in town. Families are catered for too, with family accommodation, children’s outdoor play equipment, board games and children’s meals. The website is available in English, Spanish and French, which is useful when planning the stay, even though the hotel’s spoken staff languages are not listed.

The setting is deliberately close to nature, so expect a lodge on an island rather than a conventional mainland hotel. That is part of the appeal, but it also means that arriving and leaving involve a boat connection.

You stay in Abraão, Brazil, at Praia Pequena de Freguesia de Santana on Ilha Grande. The lodge is beachfront, with a private beach area, loungers and parasols, and the Atlantic Forest surrounding the property. This is not a hotel near the sea; the sea is the geography.

Several other beaches are within walking distance: Baixo Beach is about 0.2 miles away, Grumixama Beach about 0.4 miles, Praia de Freguesia de Santana about 0.5 miles and Bananal Beach about 1 mile. The Blue Lagoon and Bananal Pequeno village are both about 0.6 miles away, giving you a few alternatives when the afternoon calls for a change of scenery.

Ilha Grande State Park is about 1.7 miles away, while Angra dos Reis beach town is about 5 miles away and reached by boat. The nearest listed airport is Jacarepaguá Airport, about 55 miles away. Distances on an island can look modest on a map; the boat is the part that shapes the journey.

The room choice is mainly about how much space and outdoor breathing room you want. A Standard Suite suits a couple keeping things simple, while the Superior Suite gives two people more room to spread out after a day in the water. For a family or a small group, the Family Bungalow is the practical direction; the Double Room with Patio adds a private outdoor area with a hammock and seating.

If the view is the deciding factor, the Quadruple Room with Sea View puts the ocean at the centre of the room choice rather than leaving it to chance. Some units have a balcony, and some have a patio with a hammock and seating area. The right option is therefore less about choosing the grandest label and more about deciding whether you want privacy outside, a sea view, or room for several people.

For the night itself, rooms have a private bathroom with a shower, fan and mosquito net. Some also have air conditioning, so check the individual accommodation details if cool air matters to you. Sea views are available, Wi-Fi is free, and daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay moving while you are out exploring.

The restaurant and bar are positioned directly above the ocean, which makes the evening decision pleasantly uncomplicated: stay put, order a drink and watch the light go. Lunch and dinner are served in a panoramic beachfront setting, with international cooking given a regional twist rather than being presented as a narrow themed menu.

Breakfast is a continental buffet included in the stay, served from 08:00 to 09:30. Lunch runs from 13:00 to 16:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 20:30, leaving a clear gap between the main services. There is no continuous snacking service listed, so plan around those meal times if you tend to surface hungry and expect food to appear on demand.

There is one bar, alongside the restaurant, plus a coffee house on site. Wine and champagne are available, special-diet menus can be arranged, and themed dinner nights are offered as an additional activity. It is a compact food-and-drink set-up, but importantly, it is attached to the view rather than hidden somewhere behind the reception desk.

The outdoor pool and jacuzzi cover the basic post-dive requirement: somewhere to cool off, sit down and let the day become less technical. The beach has loungers and parasols, while the sun terrace, garden, patio and outdoor furniture give you several places to read, talk or stare at the water with no particular ambition.

The spa area adds a dry sauna, steam room, hammam, spa lounge and relaxation area, with massage available as well as spa and wellness packages. There is also an open-air bath. The yoga room looks out over the ocean, and yoga classes are available, making this a useful option for a slower morning or for the non-diving half of a couple.

On the water, you can snorkel, canoe or join a boat excursion. Walking tours and hiking are available, with hiking taking place off site. Families have outdoor play equipment and board games, while themed dinner nights offer something structured for the evening. The sensible rhythm is easy to picture: beach or pool, a little spa time, then dinner above the sea.

Arrival is by island transport rather than a straightforward drive to the front door. Paraíso Azul Retiro organises a ferry for check-in and check-out, and you need to reserve your places in advance. An airport shuttle and a general shuttle service are also available through the property, so arrange the transport before travelling rather than treating it as something to sort out on arrival.

Check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out from 09:00 to 12:00. You need to provide photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the property asks you to share your expected arrival time. Private and express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, concierge assistance, a tour desk and currency exchange are available.

The upper floors are accessible by stairs only. Wi-Fi is free in the hotel, and rooms are non-smoking, with smoking limited to designated areas. Children of all ages are welcome; cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to the selected accommodation and availability. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and several other card networks are accepted.