Pousada Sanhaço

If you want an uncomplicated base in Vila do Abraão, Pousada Sanhaço keeps things focused on the useful parts of a stay: a private room, air conditioning, breakfast, Wi-Fi and the village close at hand. It is a pousada rather than a large resort, which suits you if your priorities are getting out to the island, coming back to a proper shower and finding somewhere to eat without a complicated journey.

The hotel website is available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French, so you can prepare your stay in the language that suits you. For couples, the setting works particularly well: the beach, pier, shops and restaurants are all within easy reach, while the rooms give you a practical place to reset between outings.

You will find the pousada on Rua Getúlio Vargas, in the lower part of Vila do Abraão on Ilha Grande, Brazil. Abraão Beach is about 350 metres away, and the tourist pier is a three-minute walk from the property. That puts you close enough to reach the waterfront on foot rather than organising transport every time you fancy a swim, a boat trip or a change of scenery.

The useful bits of the village sit around you. Kebab Lounge and Rapala are about 50 metres away, while Kiosk Bistrô is roughly 100 metres from the door. Preta Beach is around 0.8 miles away on foot, and Abraãozinho Beach is about 1 mile away. For a longer outing, Feiticeira Beach is around 2.8 miles away by foot, while Ilha Grande State Park gives you a choice of walks through the island landscape.

The nearest listed airport is Resende Airport, about 49 miles away in a straight-line distance. Ilha Grande is an island, so the final approach is part of the journey rather than something you complete by car outside the hotel door.

The room choice is straightforward. A double room suits a couple who want a compact base, while the Superior Suite gives three adults more room to spread out. For a family or group of four, the quadruple room places two bunk beds alongside a double bed; that is the practical option when sleeping arrangements matter more than having a lounge area.

Every room has a private bathroom with a shower, air conditioning, a fan, a minibar, a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The minibar is useful for keeping water or a cold drink ready for your return, while air conditioning gives you a way to cool down properly when the island has delivered a hot, active day.

Balconies and garden views give the rooms a little outdoor breathing space, but the outlook is towards the garden rather than the sea. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, so keep that in mind if you prefer to avoid steps or are travelling with bulky luggage. Children of any age are welcome, although children aged five and over are treated as adults for the accommodation arrangements; cots and extra beds are not available.

Breakfast is a buffet served from 8am to 10am, with coffee, juices, bread, cold meats, fruit, jams and cakes. It is the sort of spread that lets you build a proper start to the day rather than relying on a hurried drink before heading out. The cakes change from day to day, adding a small bit of variation without turning breakfast into theatre.

There is no need to plan the evening around eating at the pousada. The village is close enough to give you several choices once you have showered and changed: Kebab Lounge and Rapala are about 50 metres away, and Kiosk Bistrô is roughly 100 metres away. You can therefore keep dinner flexible, whether you want something quick, a longer meal or simply a short walk before bed.

Breakfast is included in the accommodation formula. The table is deliberately simple, but the location does the heavy lifting when you want more choice later in the day.

The main activity base is Ilha Grande itself. Boat excursions are available, giving you a way to spend a non-diving day on the water without treating the pousada as a self-contained resort. Abraão Beach is about 350 metres away, with sun loungers and parasols available there, so a slower day can be as simple as walking down to the sand and staying there for a while.

If you prefer to keep moving, the nearby beaches give you several scales of outing. Preta Beach is around 0.8 miles away on foot, Abraãozinho Beach about 1 mile, and Feiticeira Beach around 2.8 miles. The island's state park is also within reach for a longer walk, with Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande around 4.1 miles away on foot.

Back at the pousada, the balcony and garden view give you somewhere to sit with a drink or a book. There is also a flat-screen TV when your legs have had enough of the island for one evening. No grand programme is needed here; you choose the pace, and the village supplies the rest.

Check-in runs from 1pm to 4pm, and check-out is from 8am to 10am. Plan your arrival around those windows, particularly when your journey includes the island crossing. An airport shuttle and a shuttle service are available through the property, with the arrangements handled separately from the room booking.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and a safety deposit box is available. The property is non-smoking throughout. Cash is an accepted payment method, so keep that practical detail in your arrival plan. Pets are not allowed.

The pousada is in Vila do Abraão's lower section, close to the pier and the village's everyday services. You can reach shops, bakeries, pharmacies, health centres and restaurants on foot. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only, and the accommodation does not provide cots or extra beds, details worth settling before travelling with children.