Pousada Ruínas do Pilar — Hotel in Região Geográfica Imediata do Recife

We stayed at the Ruinas do Pilar for five days in the middle of May, 2012. This newly refurbished hotel features simple, spotless rooms, wholesome breakfasts, a large raised gazebo that permits a magnificent view of Pilar Beach, and ample parking, all right in the heart of Pilar on the island of Itamaraca. (Itamaraca, joined to the mainland by a causeway, lies about forty kilometers north of Recife.) The staff, headed by their manager Monika, is eager to serve and intent on making your stay problem free. For my wife and myself the gazebo equipped with three or four tables and providing a panoramic view of the sea, was a major attraction. We could spend time in the shade with a drink observing the beach activity including the local fishermen landing their catch within hailing distance. In the evening it was the ideal to watch dusk envelop the beach and the many late afternoon impormtu football games played on the golden sands.||Pousand Ruinas do Pilar is ideally located; one side of the property faces the sea with its kilometers of broad beach and the other side fronts on the main plaza where you can get an evening snack or beer or both and watch families out for a stroll. All the fourteen high ceilinged rooms come equipped with either air conditioner or ceiling fan as well as TV. Wifi is available free of charge throughout the establishment.||The island of Itamaraca has a long history harking back to the earliest days of European exploration of the South American coast, an era when the Portuguese and the Dutch battled it out for possession of the area. The ruins of the Orange Fort, the remnants of long abandoned "slave" churches and other religious buildings are evidence of this long historic tradition. The island is also the home of the Manatee Center whose purpose is to rehabilitate the endangered mangrove dwelling creatures that are often found injured as a result of collisions with motorized boats. The charm of the Praia de Pilar (Pilar Beach) lies in the fact that it has not yet been overwhelmed by tourism. It still provides the opportunity to observe normal activities and lifestyles. Also for the more adventurous it is easy to arrange for fishingexpeditions or trips to the famed reef that lies some...

We wanted to go to Ilha da Itamaraca, as some friends recommended it to us. First we wanted to stay at the Hotel Orange (I can't remember its name exactly), but it had no availability. So, we booked a room at Ruinas do Pilar. ||||The property is a bit run-down, and in a poor neighborhood. For example, there is an abandoned hotel just next to it, looking like in a horror film. Nothing interesting around this pousada, just a village square. We were there on a Sunday and nothing was going on. We took a taxi to see the Orange Fort, but it is quite a long ride away, and it wasn't so interesting anyway. ||||Swimming pool was very small and looked dirty and forgotten. We had a room facing the ocean, but it was full of some winged ants. They were just everywhere: on the bedsheets, in the shower, flying and crawling everywhere. Horrible. If you hate insects, don't go there. ||||The breakfast room felt a bit dirty and the breakfast wasn't so good. Everything was covered with cling film - to protect the food from the flying ants? ||||All in all, it wasn't a pleasant experience. ||||The only good thing was that the owner was nice and there was a lovely Czech lady at...

This place is a little gem located right on the beach and has all the amenities of a 5 star property. The rooms are small, but they provide air conditioning and breakfast is served every morning. ||||Although the beach is just a few steps away, you have the option of using the pool or lounging on a hammock listening to the sound of the waves. This place is where you know the meaning of peace and relaxation.||||The owner is a fountain of information and speaks 3 (maybe 4) languages, which is extremely helpful. He is also very accommodating and can arrange for individual/group tours around and/or off the island. ||||But you really don't need to go anywhere else because this is truly as close to paradise as...