Pousada Alto da Boa Vista

Owned and operated by a hospitable Brazilian couple, the Pousada Alto da Boa Vista is situated in a forested hilltop location in the Mantiqueira Mountains, with panoramic views of the surrounding area. The property sits behind a secure gated entryway and is inviting and quiet, with no traffic noise. The contemporary alpine-style buildings are set on grounds with lawns, neatly trimmed hedges, potted flowers, and indigenous Brazilian Parana pines. The pousada (in English, a pousada is a small, independent hotel or guesthouse) has an upscale look, with lots of natural wood in the chalet-style rooms and airy, light-filled public spaces. There's also a wooden deck with a hot tub and mountain views and a living room and library with a fireplace and a leather sofa. In keeping with the Swiss feel, the pousada is home to a St. Bernard, the hotel's oft-photographed mascot. The pousada has a romantic feel that makes it popular with couples, and the kids' club and playground attract families with young children. 

While not as close to tourist attractions as other pousadas in the Campos do Jordao area, the Pousada Alto da Boa Vista offers a quiet and secluded wooded mountainside location. It's about a 15-minute drive south of Capivari, where there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as the historic Sao Benedito Church and a cable car up to Morro do Elefante (Elephant Hill) and its amusement park. The center of Campos do Jordao, Brazil's highest city, is a 12-minute drive west. Campos has plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, treetop cable rides, horseback riding.The Parque de Floresta Encantada park is a 20-minute drive southeast of the pousada, while Horto Florestal Park, with its excellent hiking, is a 30-minute drive northeast. The Palacio Boa Vista, the winter residence of the governor of Sao Paulo, is a five-minute drive southeast, while the Baden Baden microbrewery is a 10-minute drive south. Sao Paulo's city center is two hours and 15 minutes away, while the airport takes around two hours to reach. 

The Pousada Alto da Boa Vista has 17 spacious alpine chalets in a variety of sizes and configurations. Units have an upscale feel, with lots of natural wood, colorful art, and cotton print bedspreads. Some have balconies with mountain views. All units come with free Wi-Fi and 32-inch or 42-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some have DVD players. In-room amenities vary, and some have fireplaces. Rooms with mini-fridges, microwaves, kitchenettes or full kitchens, and even barbecue grills are also available. Some rooms have jetted tubs or Japanese cedar ofuro soaking tubs, while the Spa Suite has a private sauna and a spacious jetted tub. 

Unlike many of the smaller pousadas in the Campos do Jordao area, Pousada Alto da Boa Vista has a lot of on-site features. A free continental breakfast featuring baked goods, meats, cheeses, and fruit is served daily in a room with wood-beamed ceiling and bright blue walls. Hot items are available for an extra charge. A saxophone player performs at breakfast on special occasions. The hotel's kitchen focuses on regional and international cuisine and specializes in fondue, with meals served in the rooms by candlelight or in the dining room. Campfire luaus are held on some weekends and include marshmallow roasting and a guitar player.There's a spacious outdoor wood deck with lounge chairs and a hot tub that looks out on the surrounding mountains. There's also a wooden sauna. Recreation opportunities include outdoor fitness classes, hikes through the surrounding native forest, and horseback riding (for a fee). Bicycles are free for guests to borrow. Children's activities include a playground, a playhouse, and a colorful kid's club with TVs, toys, and games. The hotel also has a reading room, an Internet cafe, and a game room with a big flat-screen TV and billiards, ping pong, and foosball tables. Parking is available free of charge.