Name: Morada Trilha da Guarda
Address: Rua Adelia (Rua do Cumbata), 995, Guarda do Embaú, CEP 88139-474, Brazil, Palhoca, Palhoca, Palhoca, 88139-474, Brazil
Rating: 9

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Hercilio Luz International Airport

Morada Trilha da Guarda

Palhoca

Given the reviews and high rating on Booking.com, we booked a five night stay at the Morada Trilha da Guarda over Carnaval, taking note that breakfast was not included in the daily rate for the property.  The villa, as it was described, featured a kitchenette for self-catering.  

Soon after arriving at the Morada Trilha da Guarda we discovered that basic items such as hand soap, an additional toilet roll, dishwashing liquid and sponge, and plastic bags for rubbish, were not included either.  Usually, these items are provided in self catering accommodation, even in basic caravan park cabins.  Supplying these essential items far outweighs the small cost of providing them and their absence impacted poorly on our impression of the property.  Considering the daily rate that we paid, the overall cost of providing these basic items would have been infinitesimal. 

More evident by its absence was a blanket, despite the owner having informed us that all bedding was provided.  Try buying a blanket in the small village of Guarda Do Embau, which has one small supermarket. We ended up using the supplied hammock as a blanket. Thankfully, the air-conditioning kept the bedroom at a comfortable temperature.  The bed was the smallest and most uncomfortable double bed either of us has slept in.  There was no wardrobe for hanging clothes, just a four shelf wooden rack.

Our impression was that the owner views the Morada Trilha da Guarda as an upmarket property and charges accordingly.  Upon arriving at the property, the first impression certainly is of the it being upmarket, however the interior of our villa reminded me of my family´s beachside shack, with its cheap and cheerful crockery, and well used kitchen utensils.  

Mismatched furnishings, including what appeared to be an outdoor table setting in the lounge area, and rustic locally made furniture were at odds with the plastic block-out curtains and other modern fittings. The outdoor charcoal barbeques and fish cleaning sink, in our case it was located on the balcony, only compounded the impression of staying in a shack.  To justify the price charged for our the villa, more attention to detail is required to create an interior décor consistent with the exterior.  

Pousadas and other accommodation located in and around the main street of Guarda da Embau are exposed the noise generated by restaurants and traffic.  The major positive for the Morada Trilha da Guarda is its location, on a road just a short walk from the centre of the village.  The villas are secure behind locked gates, and under security camera surveillance. The front lawn of the property acts as a car park for the villas, effectively reducing the available space for guests to use recreationally.  The wifi connection was patchy, but I suspect that this was a local problem, not one restricted to the Morada Trilha da Guarda. 

Guarda do Embau is a real paradise and well worth visiting.  I wish the villa was worth the money we paid. 

Traveller´s tip: he local water has a distinct aroma.  You may prefer to purchase bottled drinking water from the supermarket.

Morada Trilha da Guarda

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