Pousada dos Quatro Cantos

This charming 120 year old house provides an ideal location for exploring Olinda and claims to be the first pousada in Brazil, having opened 25 years ago. Pousada dos Quatro Cantos offers simple but well equipped and spacious rooms (firm beds, comfy pillows, A/C, minibar, electric showers), friendly staff many of whom speak English, and the feel almost as if you are entering someone's home to welcome you to this lovely colonial town.

Breakfast is served in the dining room or outside on the terrace and includes traditional Brazilian food such as tapioca alongside more European staples. Individual art dots the walls and the reception area provides photography books to peruse. There is also a lovely little pool to cool off in the day's heat. The owner has a café and gallery opposite and an artisan shop on site and the whole set up is very much a family affair, with daughter and son both involved in local tourism. If you are there on a Friday be prepared for a live music extravaganza outside the door — the serenata at the crossroads — a fantastic experience of local life, if a little noisy!

OUR RATING: Medium