Escape to Paradise: Miramar Hotel, Balneario Camboriu's Best Kept Secret
Escape to Paradise: Miramar Hotel – Balneario Camboriu's Not-So-Secret Secret (But Still Awesome) – A Hot Mess of a Review
Okay, so I just got back from the Miramar Hotel in Balneario Camboriu, and honestly, my brain is still marinating in caipirinhas and sunshine. This review? Gonna be a bit of a rollercoaster, much like my stay. Prepare yourself.
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- Meta Description: Craving a beach escape? My unfiltered review of the Miramar Hotel in Balneario Camboriu! From accessible rooms to killer views, spa treatments to questionable coffee. Get the real scoop before you book!
Accessibility: The Good, The Confusing, and the "Did They Really Think This Through?"
This is HUGE for me. I’m all about inclusive travel. On paper, the Miramar boasts a lot. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevator? Affirmative. They have facilities for disabled guests, which is a good start. I mean, they say they do. My friend used a wheelchair thought it was "mostly good" and "better than a lot of places". But, the devil is in the details, right? And sometimes, the details felt like a slightly-off samba beat.
The entrance itself was accessible, which is a win. The ramp wasn't ridiculously steep, and it led directly to… the lobby! Beautiful, spacious lobby. Air conditioning in public areas? Absolutely. Bliss. Now, getting around the hotel? That’s where things got a little… interesting. Some hallways were wide, some were a bit tight. And the doors… some were a breeze, some required a significant shoulder muscle to get through (seriously, the weight of them!).
They list so much, and most of it is true from what I gathered, But maybe, just maybe, the hotel staff could receive a tad more training. I saw a couple struggle with some situations, but they seemed to want to help and did so with smiles and patience.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Honestly, I didn't see a specific listing of which restaurants were 'accessible'. The main restaurant appeared doable, but I didn't investigate every single nook and cranny. I did see people enjoying meals and drinks, so, yes to people eating!
Internet: A Love-Hate Relationship
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! And it actually worked. Mostly. I mean, I'm not going to complain about free Wi-Fi, are we? Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: Yes, yes, and yes. The internet was good. I did a lot of work, as well as a lot of Facebook. Very happy about this. Wi-Fi in public areas: Great! More Wi-Fi, the better. And, you know, my phone likes Wi-Fi.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach’s Odyssey
Okay, buckle up, because this is where things get… personal.
- Restaurants: The main restaurant, "Miramar Grill" or something similar (my memory card is a blur, and I'm not looking it up), was pretty good. Breakfast [buffet]? Massive. International cuisine in restaurant: Sure. Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep. Asian cuisine in restaurant - I swear I saw sushi once!
- Breakfast in room: They did this! I'm not sure if I liked it better. They gave me a big tray. Nice! But it was a lot.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes. Everything was there.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay, the coffee. Coffee shop: They have a coffee shop. The coffee? Let’s just say it’s… Brazilian. I'm a coffee snob, and that's an understatement. The first cup I ordered, I swear it needed a warning label. It was like someone had brewed asphalt. The second cup? Slightly better. By the end of the trip, I was, shall we say, acquainted. But don't get me wrong: lots of people loved it.
- Happy hour: Yes, YES! They had happy hour. And good caipirinhas. Need I say more?
- Poolside bar: Essential. Ordered many drinks!
- Desserts in restaurant: OMG. The desserts. I’m not a huge dessert person, but these were serious. The pão de queijo, the brigadeiros, and some amazing fruit tarts (the best: the one that was too hard to eat!).
- Room service [24-hour]: Fantastic. Perfect after a late night of… ahem… research.
- Snack bar: Basic snacks. Yes.
- Bottle of water: Always provided.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Not required, but they'll work with you.
- Vegetarian restaurant I found this at one of the restaurants across the street.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes, absolutely!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: The staff seemed well trained.
- Safe dining setup: Everything was clean, and well-maintained.
Ways to Relax: Spa Days, Views, and My Inner Zen
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna: Excellent. I spent a shameful amount of time in the sauna. I blame the caipirinhas.
- Steamroom: Yes.
- Massage: Best I've had in years.
- Body scrub, Body wrap: They’re there. I skipped them. I was too busy being lazy.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], Swimming pool: The pool area is stunning. Infinity pool overlooking the beach. Instagram heaven. I spent hours just staring at the view. Okay, and drinking more caipirinhas.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Looked well-equipped. I never went. I was too busy eating desserts.
- Foot bath: Did not see this.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Cautiously Optimistic
- Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Checked!
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They do.
- Breakfast takeaway service. They did!
- Cashless payment service - yup.
- First aid kit: Yes.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Seemed like.
- Hygiene certification: Yes.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Mostly.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes.
- Room sanitization opt-out available - I didn't ask.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes.
- Shared stationery removed: Yes.
- Sterilizing equipment: Yes.
- Doctor/nurse on call - Good to know.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour]: Yep. All the things.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Very well organized.
- Smoke alarms, Non-smoking rooms: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were nice.
Things to Do: Sun, Sand, and Seriously Fun
- Beach: Right there. Perfect. You can even see the beach!
- Relax: I did this a lot.
- Visit shops: They have a shop.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
- Daily housekeeping: Flawless. My room was always pristine. Seriously impressive.
- Concierge, Doorman: Friendly and helpful.
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning: Essential.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Yes, yes, and yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Business facilities: Fine.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Airport transfer: Yes, yes, yes!
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Seeing so many families having fun!
- Couple's room, Proposal spot: Yes!
For the Kids and For Lovers and For Everyone!
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Yes!!!
- Couple's room, Proposal spot: Indeed.
**Things I Loved (and Hated… Just a
Escape to Paradise: Namhae Kkotnae Maeul's Stunning Pension Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect my disastrous (and mostly amazing) trip to the Miramar Hotel in Balneario Camboriu, Brazil. Forget those perfectly polished itineraries – this is the REAL deal. Get ready for some sand in your… well, everywhere, a healthy dose of sunburn, and my unfiltered opinion on pretty much everything.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle
- 8:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Navegantes Airport (NVT). Okay, first impression: Hot. Humid. Already regretting not packing more deodorant. The airport itself? A delightful mix of slightly chaotic and charmingly…South American. Found my ride to the Miramar, a pre-booked taxi (thank GOD), and prayed for a driver who spoke at least some English.
- 9:30 AM: Check-in at the Miramar. The hotel itself looked amazing in photos. Let's be honest, the lobby was impressive: gleaming marble, a panoramic view of the beach. The staff? Initially polite, but I SWEAR the lady at the front desk gave me a side-eye when I fumbled with my Portuguese. *Me: "Muito obrigado?" Her: *judging glare* "You're welcome."*
- 10:00 AM: The Luggage Apocalypse. I'd checked two bags. ONE made it. My suitcase? Vanished. Poof! Gone! Disappeared into the black hole of baggage handling. Cue mild panic mixed with sheer frustration. I spent the next hour filling out forms, explaining the contents of my missing suitcase (mostly swimsuits, naturally) and fighting back tears. My first impression of Brazil? "Luggage gremlins."
- 11:00 AM: Resigned to my fate, I decided to embrace the situation. Armed with only the clothes on my back and a carry-on, I hit the beach. Found a vendor selling caipirinhas, the most delightful, lime-soaked, boozy concoction ever invented. Sipped my caipirinha, watched the waves, and decided, "Screw it. I'm on vacation."
- Afternoon: Wandered along the beach, marveling at the sheer beauty of it all. The sand was pristine, the water turquoise, the people… well, gorgeous. Seriously, everyone here is ridiculously good-looking and tan. Felt like a pale, lost tourist, but hey, caipirinha number two helped with the self-consciousness. Explored the shops, bought a ridiculously overpriced, but oh-so-necessary, bikini.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant (delicious seafood pasta!). Still no luggage. The hotel staff tried to reassure me but I’m pretty sure they were just stalling. The view from my room was spectacular, and even though I only had a toothbrush, I actually felt amazing.
Day 2: Exploring the City and the Miracle of Laundry
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel (massive buffet: fruit, pastries, eggs – all the carbs, all the deliciousness). Still no luggage. Deep breaths. Decided to explore Balneario Camboriu. Took a gondola up to Morro do Cristo Luz. The views were breathtaking. Absolutely stunning, but like, everywhere is breathtaking in this part of the world.
- Afternoon: Found a laundromat and wrestled with the Portuguese instructions. The machine spat out my money (which I eventually retrieved, but not without some embarrassing flailing). Laundry day isn't exactly my forte. It had to be done though, and miraculously (and smelling of too much cheap softener), I had fresh clothes.
- Evening: Dinner at a small Churrascaria (Brazilian barbecue) - a meat lover's paradise. The food tasted like pure heaven, and the waiters were charming. I overate, obviously. Watched the sun set over the ocean and felt a sense of peace. The Luggage Apocalypse still loomed in the background, but right now, I didn't care so much.
Day 3: Beach Bliss, and a Deep Dive (Literally and Figuratively)
- Morning: Spent the entire day on the beach. This is where things get GOOD. Sun, sand, waves…pure bliss. I rented a beach chair, slathered myself in sunscreen (finally learned my lesson from the slight burn), and just…relaxed.
- Afternoon: The thing about that beach is that it's not just for sunbathing. There's parasailing, jet skiing, and all sorts of activities. I'm not exactly the daredevil type, but I decided I wanted to go scuba diving. Not just any scuba diving – scuba diving in Brazil! With the crystal-clear water, the coral reefs, and all the weird, wonderful fish, I had to.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The Scuba Diving Experience. Before the dive, I was a nervous wreck. "What if the equipment malfunctions? What if I run into a shark? What if I swallow the ocean?" The instructor, a laid-back local named Ricardo, was patient and reassuring. We practiced in the shallow water first, and once I got the hang of breathing through the regulator (it's harder than it looks!), I was ready to get under. Words can't describe the awe I felt. The colors, the silence, the feeling of weightlessness… it was a whole new world. It was the most incredible thing I have ever done. The fish, the coral – everything was vibrant and alive.
- Evening: After the dive, the adrenalin had me vibrating. We hit a restaurant for a massive seafood dinner with some fellow divers, I recounted the experience, and laughed and laughed and laughed.
Day 4: The Gondola Ride and Farewell
- Morning: Went back to the beach, but I was a shadow of the previous day. The sun beat down, and I couldn't muster the same joy as days earlier. The luggage, I now realized, was now lost beyond retrieval. My mood was sour, and I wanted to go home.
- Afternoon: Took a final Gondola ride – last chance to see those views, but I was so miserable it was hard to concentrate.
- Evening: Goodbye dinner.
- 11:00 PM: Time to leave! I was on my way home, and it felt so good! But I knew that my time in Balneario Camboriu was special.
Final Thoughts (and a few tears):
This trip wasn't perfect. The luggage debacle tested my patience. The initial culture shock was real. But despite the chaos, the sunburn, and the missing suitcase, I had an incredible time. Balneario Camboriu is a beautiful place, the people are friendly (mostly!), the food is amazing, and the beach… well, the beach is pure magic. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. (And maybe invest in some luggage insurance beforehand…)
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Escape to Paradise: Miramar Hotel FAQs (Because, Let's Be Honest, You're Probably Curious)
Okay, spill the tea. Is the Miramar *really* Balneario Camboriu's "Best Kept Secret?" Because I've seen some secrets…and they weren't pretty.
Alright, look. "Best Kept Secret" is marketing, sure. But honestly? It's *mostly* true. I mean, it's not like you trip over it on your way to the beach. Unlike those mega-hotels that practically scream, "TOURISTS! COME SPEND MONEY HERE!" Miramar's more…discreet. Like, you gotta *want* to find it. And that, my friend, is part of the charm. It's not the flashy, crowded chaos. It’s…serene.
The *secret* part? Well, the view from the balcony? Seriously breathtaking. I almost tripped over my own, you know, *ahem*, "tourist feet" the first time I saw it. It was a sunrise of epic proportions. And the pool? Peaceful. Not the usual splash-fest you find elsewhere. Although, okay, one day, I *did* see a kid try to eat a whole pizza in the pool... but that's life. Still, a win for serenity in my book.
Let's talk rooms. Are they actually *nice*? I'm not looking for a dungeon disguised as a hotel room.
Nice is subjective, right? Let's be honest. I've stayed in some places that made my spirit weep. Miramar's rooms? Solid. Not five-star luxury, mind you. You're not getting gold-plated sinks. What you *do* get is clean, comfortable, and the important part? The *view*. Seriously, the view. I'm repeating myself, I know. But it's *that* good.
My first room? A little…small. But the balcony. Oh, the balcony. I spent a good three hours just sitting there, drinking the local stuff (the *pinga*!) and watching the waves. Okay, four. Don't judge. Another time? I got a bigger room – much better. The AC worked, the bed was comfy enough, and I didn't feel like I needed a hazmat suit. It’s not perfect, but far better than some of the… well, let's just say "lesser" establishments I've encountered.
The breakfast. Is it worth waking up for? Because I *love* sleeping.
Okay, breakfast. Here's the deal. You're not getting a Michelin-star buffet here. It's a solid, satisfying Brazilian breakfast. Think fresh fruit – the mangoes! Glorious. Pastries. Scrambled eggs. Coffee that actually wakes your soul up. And the best thing? A little corner in the breakfast area *always* seemed to catch the morning sun. Perfect for nursing a hangover and watching the world wake up.
I had a *brutal* night once. You know, the kind where you end up dancing on a table. The breakfast? Saved me. The juice? Refreshing. The bread? Soaking up the last vestiges of the night before. It's not gourmet, but it's honest, filling, and enough to get you back on your feet... or at least, able to stumble towards the beach. The imperfections? Sometimes the bread was a bit stale. But hey, it's part of the experience! You know, just give it a good dunk in the coffee. Problem solved.
The Location: Close to the beach and all the action? Or stuck in the middle of nowhere?
It's a *balance*, alright? You're not right on the crazy, crowded beach. And thank GOD for that. You are a short walk from the beach and the shops. A manageable walk, I could even manage the walk after a particularly enthusiastic caipirinha night.
Look, the action is there if you want it. The clubs, the restaurants, the hordes of tourists. But at Miramar? You can retreat. It's a little oasis of calm. A haven from the madness. And honestly, after a day of braving the crowds? That's worth its weight in gold. There was this one time… I just needed a quiet afternoon, so I relaxed at the hotel. And it was *bliss*. No blaring music, no screaming kids. Just me, the ocean, and a book. Actually, scratch that. It was a day I just stared at the view.
I heard about this *amazing* view. What's the deal with the ocean and the balcony? Should I splurge on the balcony?
Spurging on the balcony? Okay, deep breath. Yes. Just *yes*. I am not a man of deep emotion. But that view… that view... Man, that's worth more than the cost of the entire room. It's one of the most important parts of the experience when visiting Miramar.
Imagine. The vast ocean. The crashing waves. The sunrise or the sunset that will paint the sky in colors you didn't know existed. The gentle breeze rustling the leaves. I even saw *dolphins* once. Okay, maybe it was a particularly vivid hallucination brought on by a little too much sun and cheap caipirinhas. But it was glorious. The sound of the waves at night... It's soothing, you know? Like nature's white noise. And the balcony... it’s not just a balcony. It's a portal. To peace. To serenity. To, you know, a place to drink a lot of coffee whilst contemplating the world.
There was a time I spent the entire days on the balcony. I barely left the room. I went to the beach for a quick swim. Then I came back. Balcony again. I brought some snacks and just watched the world go by. It was one of the most relaxed days of my life. It was so quiet. So lovely. And I think it was the greatest experience in Miramar.
What about the service? Are the staff friendly? Or are they gonna give me attitude like I'm at a Parisian hotel?
No attitude, thank god. The staff at the Miramar? They're *nice*. Super friendly. They're helpful. They're not perfect. They're human. Which is kinda what you want on vacation, right?
It's more like a family business. They seem to actually care that you're enjoying your stay. I once locked myself out of my room at, like, 3 AM. Yup. Drunk. They helped me out, no judgment. Just, "Oh, you again, Senor…?" They really made me feel at home. It was great.
So, the bottom line: Should I book the Miramar?
Okay, here's the truth. If you're looking for a perfect, flawless, five-star experience, then maybe Miramar's not for you. Go to one of those soulless mega-hotels. But. If you're looking for something real, in a great place to relax, with a stunning viewEscape To Inns
