About the Pousada

This is where tranquility and charm come together and create an unforgettable experience. Simple people; warm, crystal-clear water; snorkeling in offshore tide pools and drinking coconut water and beer…this is what Brazil is about for a great many of us.

The Pousada do Toque is part of the group of hotels known as the Roteiro do Charme (the Charm Circuit) and is the passion of its proprietor, Nilo Burgarelli, one-time restaurateur in the nearby city of Maceió. Nilo and his wife Gilda have created a more than a hotel and restaurant on the beach…they’ve created a family. You can’t leave after a few days at this pousada and not feel a pang of sadness at the prospect.

Service at Toque is impeccable and personal and the grounds are a perfect beach cabana style with plenty of amenities to keep you satisfied: outdoor bar areas, tennis court, a beautiful swimming pool and hot tub, hammocks, massage cabana and tropical plants and animals at large. The pousada also offers snorkeling excursions and boat trips out to see the manatees and nearby flora and fauna. Rooms are individual cabanas with comfortable and well appointed interiors and some even have their own hot tubs in front. Three special chalets have private entrances, beach views from their hot tubs and hammocks, and front decks for viewing the sunrise over the ocean. The entire pousada is surrounded by coconut groves and inside is a private herb garden which is used to supply the restaurant.

My View

A highlight of this hotel is the restaurant, where Nilo and the head chef take care of every guest. Specialties of the house include Italian cuisine, seafood (naturally), and excellent top-shelf caipirinhas. My favorite is with pineapple and I also recommend the seafood Moqueca (a kind of fish stew with coconut milk) and the fish grilled in banana leaves.

Warm, freshly-baked bread accompanies your breakfast, which also comes with tropical fruit, local foods from the Northeast of Brazil, crepes and more. I have nothing but superlatives for the Pousada do Toque. The only caveat is that you must be prepared for a slow, relaxing time – there are very few establishments nearby and absolutely no nightlife other than at the pousada. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from heading back to Maceio for an evening of fun and excitement if you wish.

Details

• Rooms: Wine cellar, solar energy, hair dryer, air conditioning, DVD player with library of films, king size beds and mini-bar.
• General: Breakfast service included in restaurant/café, tennis, outdoor bar, massage kiosk, Jacuzzi.
• Price: From $90 to $300 at low season with breakfast and lunch or dinner included.
• Location: Rua Felisberto de Ataide (no number), Povoado do Toque, São Miguel dos Milagres, Alagoas. A little over an hour north of Maceió by car.
• Contact: 82-3295-1127 or pousadadotoque@uol.com.br
• Site: http://www.pousadadotoque.com.br/