Located on a private peninsula near Florianópolis on Brazil's south coast, Ponta dos Ganchos is one of the country's most exclusive beach resorts. A ridge of Atlantic rainforest runs down to the water, where 3 tiny islands horseshoe around a sandy bay. A thatched restaurant idles 10 feet from the beach, but paddle across to one of the islands and you find a bar that’s illuminated by torches at night. You're in the middle of nowhere here, and Ponta dos Ganchos delivers the dream: idyllic landscapes of emerald sea and forest, contemporary interiors in 25 beautiful cabanas (some with private plunge pools, saunas and Jacuzzis) and service that’s second to none (breakfast can be served at any hour of the day).
Follow the coast round on either side and you come to tiny fishing villages, but most stay put and bask in luxury. There’s an indoor pool, tennis and volleyball, even a private cinema. Snorkelling, diving (including tuition), canoeing, sailing and boat trips are also on offer.
Highs
- Fabulous position on the side of a hill with dazzling views of Ganchos Bay
- The beach: small, but it's very picturesque, private and you'll be pampered on it
- Clear, calm water ideal for swimming
- Deeply luxurious cabanas, all with with private sea view decks; some with plunge pools
- A private cinema: spurn the sun and watch your favourite movie
Lows
- The price tag is high although the daily rate includes breakfast and use of all nautical equipment. Be prepared for wild premiums by any standard for Christmas, New Year and Carnaval
- The staff are young and friendly but some are rather inexperienced and speak only limited English
- This is a quiet spot, with no nightlife to speak of (the hotel bar was deserted in the evenings); the nearest big town (Florianópolis) is 45km away
- No children under the age of 18
Best time to go
High season is generally December to April when it's warm and humid. The coastal location ensures that temperatures rarely exceed 85F (daytime in January) and generally do not fall below 55F (nighttime in July). Even in winter (June-September), when rates are lower, daytime temperatures usually reach 70F. Rainfall is a possibility throughout the year, but January and February often experience slightly heavier showers.
Our top tips
Stay for at least 3 days, a week if possible. If you want some city action before or after your stay, Ponta dos Ganchos is ideally placed for combining with a stay in São Paulo.
Make sure you bring a good book or 2, and mosquito repellent if staying between December and March.
Make sure you bring a good book or 2, and mosquito repellent if staying between December and March.
- Boutique Hotel
- 25 bungalows
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- Over 18s only
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Tennis Court
- Pool Table
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
There are 25 wood and stone cabanas scattered over the side of the hill, all with imperious views of Ganchos Bay and the Emerald Coast. The smallest Anhatomirim rooms are still enormous and come with open fires in the sitting rooms, walk-in wardrobes, excellent bathrooms with showers (but no bathtubs) and walls of glass that open onto huge decked balconies, all of which look out to sea.
You may well wonder what more you get if you slide up the price scale. The simple answer is more space, private Jacuzzis and private dry saunas. Especial Anhatomirim have private plunge pools; the Vilas also get small private sea-water pools and gardens, as well as 2 showers; the Especial da Vilas and the Esmeralda villas have their own wine cellars!
The décor in all is simple and uncluttered: big beds, fine Egyptian cotton, neutral colours, comfy sofas and oodles of light; or in 2 words: absolute luxury.
Features include:
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
You can eat whenever you like; a complimentary buffet breakfast is served all day and they’ll bring it to your cabana, or you can drop down to the lounge. Predictably it’s a feast: fruits from the jungle, yoghurts and juices, cereals, cakes and homemade breads. There are croissants and rolls, waffles and toast, and eggs anyway you want them. If that’s not enough, there are 9 different cheeses and a selection of hams and salami. Don’t expect to go hungry.
The beachside restaurant serves à la carte lunches and dinners, with different menus each day. Lunch is informal, dinner is more of a spectacle. You get lots from the water - prawns, oysters, mussels, fresh fish. To give you an idea, here’s a taster, 3 of each course plucked from various menus; starters: baby squid with marinated tomato salad, oysters in lemon sauce or fois gras with fruit chutney; main courses: fillet steak with mustard and cognac sauce, asparagus risotto or grilled chicken breast with orange, ginger and shitake mushrooms; puddings: hot chocolate pie, strawberry soup or basil ice cream. If you want, you can dine in romantic splendour on a private table on the beach, or on one of the islands that's accessed by a pier. There’s only 1 table (with a dedicated waiter, décor and music provided) so you get the island to yourself. There’s an extensive wine list, too.
During the quieter winter months (June/July), the hotel often hosts gastronomic weekends with some of South America's finest chefs.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- If you want to stay put, you can swim from the beach in clear blue water; the tiny islands shelter you from the ocean beyond and turn this drop of sea into a private lagoon. There's an indoor pool for the cooler months (June-September)
- Flippers, masks and snorkels are all provided, so you can explore the bay, and strike out further with canoes and sailing dinghies
- A plethora of keep-fit facilities are on offer - a gym, a pool, a tennis court, volleyball and a jogging track
- Play a game of chess or pot a few balls on the snooker table
- There’s also a small cinema with a large screen (as in an English pub). The ultra-comfortable armchairs make this a kingly place to watch a movie, so ask at reception and they’ll pop one on (you can choose), or come for the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Masters or a Grand Prix
- Take boat trips (at extra cost) up the coast to the Arvoredo Marine Reserve for some of the best diving off the Brazilian coast, or to Anhatomirim for dolphin spotting
- Enjoy a massage and Jacuzzi
- During the winter season (July to October) excursions to Imbituba/Praia do Rosa to see southern right whales can be arranged on request - it takes 2 hours to drive there
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Pool table
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Tennis coaching
- Trekking
- Whale watching
Kids
Only guests over the age of 18 are accepted.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Ponta dos Ganchos is situated in Governador Celso Ramos, a fishing village on the coast of Santa Catarina state, in the south of Brazil. It's 45km north of Florianópolis, 650km from São Paulo and 1100km from Rio de Janiero.
By Air:
Florianopolis Hercílio Luz Airport (64km) is the nearest airport and is served by several domestic carriers from Rio and Sao Paulo.
From the Airport
Guests can be met in Florianópolis and driven to the hotel by bilingual drivers. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged (see Rates).
By Car:
If you want to hire a car please see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Florianopolis Hercilio Luz International 64.0 km FLN
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 40.0 km
- Restaurant 40.0 km