What is(are) your name(s)?
Esther Ribeiro and José Luis de Souza
For how long have you been running a B&B?
Since 2006
Please share something about the history of your present bed and breakfast.
I lived in England for many years and in 2000 my ex-husband Mike Harold and I decided to move back to Brazil. The idea was to get a place in paradise… and close to Rio de Janeiro, because of the family, and São Paulo. At this time Mike was working for Greenpeace and needed to travel a lot. I had known Paraty for a long time and always loved the area, it is so special… close to a calm and clear sea by a mountain range covered in rain forest, part of the National Bocaina Park and Paraty itself is an historic colonial well-preserved town with craft shops and international cuisine. We bought one acre of land by a river surrounded by tropical trees. We finished building our big (about 500m2) house and garden in 2004 and we have been operating as a B&B from 2006.
What are the unique characteristics of your B&B?
The most important characteristic of our place is the constant presence of wild life: birds, reptiles, monkeys… the special tropical garden and the collection of banana flowers (Heliconeas). The decoration is all antique and has a lot of personality and the house is comfortable as well as elegant. From the house you can only hear the river flowing and birdsong, it is very relaxing and is surrounded by native jungle trees.
Based on your guests' opinions, what feature of your B&B has made their stay special?
Our guests most enjoy the location, swimming in our private waterholes, wildlife spotting, our hospitality, the tips we have about the area and our delicious Tropical Breakfast, the tranquility of the gardens and the forest trails, relaxation in a hammock and the hummingbirds. The coast with its stunning beaches backed by rain forest is a short drive away with an endless variety of beaches, deserted or with delicious restaurants.
Please describe in short your bed and breakfast and its general services and amenities.
The house provides a great base from which to explore Paraty and its surroundings. Your hosts are respectful of your privacy but always available to help make your stay enjoyable and very personal. The Great Hall - a spacious high vaulted room with stone floors, fireplace, bar and TV communal area, complete with Minstrels' gallery, a small library and reading area. Large glass conservatory with hammocks, bird-watching and butterfly-viewing areas. Two large farmhouse kitchens. The internal with a dining area and the external with clay ovens and BBQ. Sun terraces, lawns, hammocks, outside showers and eating areas. Guests can enjoy the tranquility of the gardens and the forest trails, relax in a hammock and watch the hummingbirds, take a swim in our private waterholes, walk up to the local cachaça distillery or visit beautiful nearby waterfalls. The house provides a great base from which to explore Paraty and its surroundings. Your hosts are respectful of your privacy but always available to help make your stay enjoyable and very personal. We have several different options for you to enjoy your stay at the villa. Many guests prefer to cook by themselves and we have ample kitchen space including BBQ and wood-stoves to suit everyone. Bottled and filtered water is available and guests can purchase beers, soft drinks, wine and spirits or buy their own and refrigerate. Guided tours or recommendations for many activities (Nature) Television including Cable TV, DVD & CD stereo, library, and board games. A traditional Brazilian breakfast of fresh tropical fruits, freshly made juices, cereal, breads & toast, eggs, selection of cheeses and cold cuts, jams and various Brazilian delicacies. An evening menu of fine Brazilian cuisine. Private river access for sunbathing and swimming.
How many rooms are offered at your B&B and what is its maximum capacity?
We have seven rooms, and our maximum capacity is 15 people comfortably. We have an extra bed in every room and it is possible to accommodate family and friends together.
What kinds of rooms do you offer?
Quinta da Floresta offers seven unique bedrooms each named after a tropical bird indigenous to the area (and often spotted in the gardens!) Tié, Tucano, Coleirinho, Saíra, Colibri and the Garden Bungalow. Colibri Detached apartment: Joined to the main house by the “Humming bird patio” Colibri has an en– suite bathroom, sofa, T.V. and queen-sized bed, ceiling fan and antique furniture. Saíra Large downstairs room: This large room offers a spacious sitting area, a double and a single bed and a private bathroom. A balcony looks out over the forest. Saira can accommodate additional beds making it an ideal family room. There is also a ceiling fan. Tié The Master Suite:A beautiful spacious room with walk-in closet, an attached bathroom/jacuzzi and private balcony. Views over the gardens. TV, air-conditioning and a queen-sized English antique brass bed. Tucano Upstairs rooms: These two well appointed rooms share a bathroom on the upper floor. Each room has a comfortable double and a single bed, with ceiling fan. Coleirinho Upstairs Rooms: These two well appointed rooms share a bathroom on the upper floor. Each room has a comfortable double and a single bed and ceiling fan. Garden Bungalow: A cozy bungalow, comfortable and beautifully located, by the river site in the middle of the tropical garden, separated from the main house. It has a balcony with hammocks end a suite bathroom, two double beds, one in a romantic mezzanine. Kitchenette well equipped with a ceiling fan and antique furniture.
Which room is your personal favorite?
Tié The Master Suite is very special for honeymoons, an attached bathroom/Jacuzzi and private balcony. Views over the gardens. TV, air-conditioning and a queen-sized English antique brass bed.
What do the room rates include?
Breakfast, parking, tax.
Do you offer any special packages?
We offer a variety of ways to enjoy Quinta da Floresta, from Bed and Breakfast packages with your hosts, to rental of the entire villa for an unforgettable special family holiday, and we are open for catered wedding receptions, business conferences and corporate retreats. Please contact us for prices and availability. Quinta da Floresta is available for full rental during certain times of the year. The whole villa is a perfect venue for family and friend reunions, business retreats, school-reunions, or simply secluded luxury accommodation. Rates vary depending on the season so please contact us directly with inquiries. The interior and gardens of Quinta da Floresta provide an idyllic backdrop to those once in a lifetime special occasions. We are able to work directly with you to organize either catered or self-catering events. Decoration and flower arrangements and other unique wedding services are all available on request. The hall has a state of the art music system and is ideal for bands and/or D.J’s to perform with ample interior and exterior patio dance floors. Special packages exist for Christmas, New Year, Easter and Carnival - please contact for details. Room rates shown in Brazilian Real(R$), based upon two-night minimum stay & maximum two-person occupancy.
What may guests expect from a typical breakfast at your property?
We offer a delicious typical breakfast. Different types of tropical fruits and fresh juices. Bread and pastries from local delicatessens, cereal, eggs, selection of cheeses and cold cuts, home-made jams. By prior arrangement we can prepare a personal breakfast vegetarian etc.
When and where is breakfast served?
From 8 to 11 am in the dining area of our large kitchen or on the kitchen terrace.
Are dietary needs accommodated?
We can respond to any special dietary requests.
Do you serve other meals?
We serve free afternoon tea and coffee on request and lunch and dinner booked one day before with a free Brazilian drink.
Are there cooking facilities, which guests may use?
Many guests prefer to cook by themselves and we have ample kitchen space including BBQ and wood-stoves to suit everyone. Bottled and filtered water is available and guests can purchase beers, soft drinks, wine and spirits or buy their own and refrigerate them.
Is your bed and breakfast suitable for children?
We accept children, and kids up to 2-years old have free accommodation and over this age pay extra.
Do you accept pets?
Yes, by prior agreements and it will incur a small extra charge.
What is your smoking policy?
Smoking is allowed in designated areas (no smoking in guest rooms).
Is there a parking facility on premises or nearby?
We have a large and safe open air parking area
Is your B&B suitable for disabled guests?
No.
What safety precautions are provided at your B&B?
We are always conscious of security, provided in our absence by staff and dogs.
What is your check-in/check-out policy?
Checking till 2 pm and Checkout by midday.
Are there a minimum number of nights for staying at your B&B?
Two-night minimum stay required unless otherwise agreed upon.
How can guests check availability and make a reservation?
All confirmed reservations by e-mail, phone or online, require a 50% deposit for guarantee.
What is you cancellation policy?
We will refund all deposits on reservations canceled at least 15 days prior to the arrival date. Reservations canceled 14 days or less prior to arrival will forfeit the original deposit.
What types of payment do you accept?
Travel/personal checks, cash, and PayPal.
Is there a special etiquette that guests should know about and comply with?
No loud music, wet clothing in sitting areas, no smoking indoors, noise after 11pm indoors and outdoors, respect for wildlife.
Please tell us what things guests might enjoy visiting, seeing, doing, etc. in your area.
Forest trails, swimming in your private river, walks up to the local cachaça distillery or visit the waterfalls of Toboggan, Pedra Branca and the Gold Trail in the surrounding hills and mountains.
Where is your B&B located and how it may be reached?
Paraty is on a major coastal highway between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. There are regular, reliable air-conditioned buses from both cities to Paraty, several times a day. The journey from Rio is 236km and takes about 3.5 hours. From Sao Paulo its 330km and takes about 4.5 hours. We will arrange pick - up or taxi service from Paraty bus station if we have your arrival details. We are happy to pick you up form the bus station. We are on Google maps. To get to our place by private car: when you arrive to the Paraty roundabout, instead of going into town you go the opposite direction; the name of the road is Paraty - Cunha RJ165, and it starts to go up to the mountains. At the roundabout mark the kilometers, our place is just 7km from there, we have a sign with our place name in green (Quinta da Floresta) on your left, just after that you will see an entrance...please, be careful it is just on a corner. We are happy to arrange transportation from your hotel in Rio or Sao Paulo. All we need is your contact information, a reservation deposit and your travel details. Rates vary depending on group size and season so please contact us in advance.
What would you say to people who have never stayed in a bed and breakfast?
It is a completely different experience to impersonal hotels, it is like the privilege of staying with a local family. You enjoy the luxury of your privacy but it feels like a home, and you can have personal contact with your hosts and so access to local information and society. It is like living a house with your own personal service.
Is there something more that you want to share about your property?
Some of our guests' impressions: "A FABULOUS PLACE TO STAY" "My husband and I have stayed at Quinta da Floresta on 3 different occasions, and will continue to return there year after year. It is an ideal location: seemingly out in the wilderness, but actually just 10 minutes from downtown Paraty. Esther & Zé are wonderful, attentive hosts, and the accommodations, while simple, are clean, comfortable, and totally appropriate for the setting. We recommend it highly. " "In two lifetimes of travel, we've never expienced this level of hospitality and surrounded by such beauty! " " We LOVED staying here. Ester and Ze were wonderful hosts. The rooms were fabulous. The tropical garden divine. The kids had a blast playing in the river, the waterfalls and of course, Paraty during Carnival!! Not to mention the incredible beaches which were only a short ride a way. Me and Zé are very happy in receiving you and your family and to make friends to. All extra information you need are available on our site, and by request.