Pousada dos Anjos is located precisely where colonial travellers along the Old Gold Trail from the coast made their first overnight stop so it’s full of exciting history. Used as a resting-place by the Guayana Indians (guaianazes in Portuguese) when on their own forest trail, the site was a waystation for slavers, muleteers and coffee barons from the 16th to the 19th century. In the 20th century the old house was a military hospital and a federal command post during the 1932 Constitutionalist Revolution(see History).
The hotel nestles among cool mountain peaks about half-way between the cities of São Paulo and Rio. It’s only 12 km from the small town of Cunha and 33 km from Parati by (mostly) paved road. You can also go to Parati on foot straight downhill through the forest using the Old Gold Trail: it’s a 10 km trek. We’re close to some of the most beautiful ocean beaches, coves and islands in the Americas, with practically no biting insects. The Paraibuna river runs through Pousada dos Anjos, which is easy to find and accessible directly from the main road (more details on the exact location).
The grounds of Pousada dos Anjos comprise 363,000 square metres (about 36 hectares or 89 acres) of gardens and woodlands, with a pond, stream and waterfall, country trails, open pasture and a spectacular view at the end of a fairly long uphill ramble. Recent improvements include the addition of an artesian well, solar energy, a wood-fired dry sauna with deck, and a natural swimming pool with rocks and cascade.
The centrepiece of the hotel is a spacious lounge with fireplace and clay stove, home theatre, and collections of CDs and DVDs. The nextdoor Oca is an outhouse in the style of a traditional Indian round hut with a library of books on the arts, history and the environment. It can also be used for meetings, exhibitions, courses and group activities.
We have three chalets and three suites plus the Historic House, which is self-catering. Daily rates include a generous buffet breakfast-cum-brunch with healthy organic ingredients, served from 8.30 to midday. Other meals, snacks, soups, sorbets, ice creams, fruit juices and alcoholic drinks can be ordered.
Horseback riding tours with guide can be arranged, as well as cart rides and rambles to forest waterfalls, a nearby mountain peak called Pedra da Macela, the beautiful historic seaside village of Parati and the colonial Gold Trail, among others. Pousada dos Anjos is surrounded by tropical forest. Serra do Mar State Park is next door: it’s 20 km by unmade road to the warden’s office. Serra da Bocaina National Park is also nearby, over the border between São Paulo State and Rio de Janeiro State.