Pousada dos Ingleses

You come here for a pousada rather than a polished chain hotel: a small-scale stay on Santa Catarina Beach, with gardens, sea views and chalets arranged for a little more breathing room. Zimbro Bay sits directly in the picture, while the beach is close enough to make footwear feel like an optional extra.

The atmosphere suits couples who want the coast on the doorstep and families who value a proper living space over a corridor of identical rooms. Portuguese is the language spoken by the hotel team, so a few useful words will serve you well at reception. The tour desk can help you organise outings around Zimbro Bay and Bombinhas, leaving you to think about the important matters: food, shade and whether your legs are ready for tomorrow.

The pousada is on Rua da Praia in Zimbros, part of Bombinhas in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It sits directly on Zimbros Beach, with direct access to golden sand, sun loungers and parasols. Praia de Zimbros is roughly 50 metres away, while Cardoso Beach is about 0.5 miles away and Praia de Morrinhos about 1.1 miles away.

You are not marooned on a postcard. Restaurante Camarão da Praia is around 0.6 miles away on foot, with Berro d'Água about 0.7 miles away and Dedemix about 1.2 miles away. For a wider view of the coast, Monkey Hill is roughly 3 miles away on foot, or about 3.5 miles by road, and Praia Mariscal is around 3.4 miles away on foot.

Ministro Victor Konder International Airport is about 29 miles away by road, with a drive of roughly 58 minutes. Florianopolis-Hercilio Luz International Airport is farther away, at around 51 miles by road.

The chalets are the practical choice when you want somewhere to sit rather than simply somewhere to sleep. They are arranged over two floors, with a living area, fireplace and television, plus a kitchen with an electric hob, fridge and microwave. That means cold water can wait in the fridge, and a simple meal does not require a search party after a long day outside.

For two, the Suite gives you more room to spread out than the compact double rooms. For a family or a small group, the Master Chalet is the sensible option, with space for up to four and a separate living area that keeps the evening from becoming a quiet battle over the bed. The Basic Double Room accommodates up to three with a double bed and sofa bed, but it is a tighter proposition and has no bathroom listed with it; check the exact arrangement before booking.

Air conditioning helps when the Brazilian heat has followed you back indoors, while the terraces give you somewhere to sit among the gardens. Sea views are available, and the chalets include Wi-Fi, towels and linen. The property is non-smoking, and the comfortable beds have been singled out by guests as a strong point for the night.

The main table is Petiscaria Pousada dos Ingleses, the in-house restaurant working with local cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served there, with seafood, petiscos, snacks and more substantial dishes on the menu. It is the sort of arrangement that makes sense when you return hungry and sandy: you can eat at the pousada instead of turning dinner into another excursion.

A continental breakfast is included, and breakfast can also be ordered to your room. There is a bar and a snack bar for the gaps between meals, plus an outdoor dining area and barbecue facilities. Wine and champagne are available as well, should the evening call for something less practical than water and a towel.

There is no all-inclusive or half-board formula to plan around. You have the restaurant for the three main meals, the bar and snack bar for lighter moments, and a kitchen in the chalet when a fridge, hob and microwave are more appealing than a formal meal.

The beach is the obvious starting point, with direct access from the property and sun loungers and parasols waiting by the sand. Kayaking and canoeing are available for days when you want to stay on the water without putting on a wetsuit, while walking tours and hiking offer a change of pace on land. A bicycle rental service and bike tours add another way to explore the coastline and the surrounding area.

The tour desk can arrange or advise on city tours, boat trips, buggy outings, guided trails and bicycle excursions. Fishing is also available. You can therefore make the day as active or as idle as you like: paddle out, walk a trail, or remain under a parasol and let the scenery do the work.

For couples, the outdoor dining area and gardens provide useful space between the beach and the bedroom. For families, the chalet layout gives everyone somewhere to sit once the sand has been removed from the important places. Parties and events are not permitted, which should keep the evenings civilised rather than turning them into an unwanted shore excursion.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 23:00, and check-out is by 11:00. Children of any age are welcome, although children aged two and over are charged as adults; cots and extra beds are not available. Pets are not allowed, and parties or events are not permitted.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and free parking is available nearby without reservation. The hotel accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard. A tour desk is available for arranging outings around Zimbro Bay and Bombinhas, useful if you arrive without a fixed plan and discover that the beach has made planning feel unnecessarily ambitious.

For the transfer from the airport, you will need to organise your own road connection to Zimbros. The nearer airport is Ministro Victor Konder International Airport, roughly 29 miles away by road. The address is Rua da Praia, 50, on the seafront in Zimbros, Bombinhas.