Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel
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Hotel Details
Location
São Sebastião
Brazil, South America
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service:** The staff's attentiveness, kindness, and willingness to go above and beyond are frequently highlighted.
- ✓Professional and Accommodating:** Rebecca at reception, for instance, is highlighted for her excellent English and professional, accommodating demeanor.
Expert Review: Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel
Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel in São Sebastião, Brazil, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offers an intimate and romantic adults-only escape amidst the lush Atlantic Forest with stunning ocean views. The hotel is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, being the first in Brazil to receive a Zero Waste seal.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "excellent" or "fabulous." The Michelin Key selection further underscores its quality and unique offering. While minor criticisms exist, they generally do not detract significantly from the highly praised experience.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of the hotel:
- Location & Views: The hotel's hillside position, 50 meters above the sea, provides breathtaking panoramic ocean and mountain views from rooms, balconies, the lobby, restaurant, and pool.
- Privacy & Romance: As an adults-only establishment, it's designed for couples seeking tranquility, privacy, and a romantic atmosphere.
- Private Spa Amenities: Many suites feature private hot tubs, jacuzzis, plunge pools, or saunas, offering an exclusive spa-like experience within the room.
- Exceptional Service: The staff's attentiveness, kindness, and willingness to go above and beyond are frequently highlighted.
- Delicious Cuisine: The food, especially breakfast and the à la carte dinner, receives high praise for its quality and flavor.
- Eco-conscious Practices: Its status as an eco-hotel with a Zero Waste seal and commitment to sustainable practices is a significant draw for environmentally aware travelers.
3. Room Quality
The hotel offers 14 air-conditioned suites, each individually decorated and designed to ensure privacy and seclusion. Rooms are accessible via exterior corridors and feature furnished balconies, often equipped with hammocks, offering sea or garden views.
Key room features include:
- Comfort: Pillowtop beds with premium bedding are standard.
- Amenities: Minibars, laptop-compatible safes, 41-inch LED televisions with premium digital channels, and complimentary wireless internet access are provided.
- Bathrooms: Showers come with bathrobes, designer toiletries, and complimentary toiletries. Hair dryers and ceiling fans are also available.
- Private Wellness: Many suites boast private hot tubs, jacuzzis, plunge pools, or saunas, providing a luxurious in-room spa experience. Some even include fireplaces.
- Suite Types: Examples include Eco Privé Suite (35m² with hot tub, sauna, fireplace), Eco Exclusive Suite (50m² with hot tub, ocean view, fireplace, dry sauna), Eco VIP Suite (35m² with sea view, hot tub), and Eco Master Suite (70m² with garden view, heated pool, sauna, fireplace).
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel is a significant highlight for guests.
- Breakfast: An "amazing" à la carte breakfast is served until late, accompanied by stunning bay views and the serene sounds of nature. The menu includes made-to-order tostadas, eggs, and tapioca, fresh fruit, and homemade cakes.
- Restaurant Quality: The onsite restaurant, "Ilha de Toque Toque," specializes in refined Brazilian and Caiçara cuisine, focusing on fresh, local ingredients including fish, seafood, and selected cuts. Dishes are presented with care, offering a memorable dining experience.
- Ambiance: The restaurant features a bar/lounge and a garden view.
- Other Options: Room service is available during limited hours, and guests can enjoy fresh juices, wines, artisanal caipirinhas, and sophisticated cocktails. Romantic dinner packages are also offered.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel consistently receives high praise from guests. Reviewers frequently describe the team as:
- Attentive and Gentle: Staff members are noted for being very gentle, helpful, and attentive to guests' needs.
- Professional and Accommodating: Rebecca at reception, for instance, is highlighted for her excellent English and professional, accommodating demeanor.
- Dedicated: The staff is dedicated to ensuring guests have a great experience and feel pampered. Any minor issues or "slips" are noted to be immediately compensated for with a sincere concern for guest well-being.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel is nestled on a hillside outside the main town of São Sebastião, providing a tranquil and secluded setting surrounded by the Atlantic Forest.
- Proximity to Beaches: While not directly beachfront, it offers panoramic ocean views and is approximately a 5-minute walk from Calhetas Beach. Toque Toque Grande Beach is 1.1 miles (1.7 km) away, and Toque Toque Pequeno Beach is 3.1 miles (5 km) away.
- Beach Service: The hotel provides exclusive beach service at Toque-Toque Grande Beach, including chairs, umbrellas, and towels, allowing guests to enjoy the sea in comfort.
- Nature Immersion: Guests can enjoy ecological trails through the Atlantic Forest, and activities like snorkeling, hiking, and cycling are available.
- Travel: Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel is approximately 2.5 hours from Congonhas/São Paulo Airport. Most guests opt to self-drive, taking advantage of the free parking.
7. Value & Pricing
The value for money at Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel is generally rated well by guests, though some reviews indicate it could be higher.
- Typical Price Range: Prices vary significantly by season and room type. Recent average nightly rates have been around $261, with prices occasionally as low as $133/night. Kayak shows prices starting from $128.
- Seasonal Fluctuations: June is typically the cheapest month to stay (26% price drop), while March is the most expensive (26% price rise).
- Minimum Stays: Weekend stays year-round, and stays in December, require a minimum of 2 nights. Stays in January require a minimum of 3 nights.
- Included Experiences: Accommodation includes immersion in nature, tranquility, and romance, with access to ecological trails, hammocks with sea views, a swimming pool, sauna, and contemplation areas.
8. Common Complaints
While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- Cleanliness and Maintenance: A few guests mentioned that cleanliness and maintenance could be improved, citing issues like marks of slime in private suite pools, dislodged shower door handles, and rusted shampoo holders. One severe complaint noted a significant leak in a prepared room.
- Service Agility: Some feedback suggested that the overall level of service could be more "agile."
- Accessibility to Restaurant: One guest mentioned that the access from the rooms to the restaurant can be a bit steep and potentially dangerous during rain.
- Beach Service Hours: The beach service concludes early, at 5 PM, which some guests find limits their time on the beach, especially for those who prefer to avoid strong midday sun.
- Breakfast Timing: One German guest noted that breakfast only starts at 8 AM.
- Room Comfort (Minor): A review mentioned that pillows and dinner food could be improved in some instances.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
