When Ponta dos Ganchos opened in 2002, Brazilian couples flocked from São Paulo and Rio in search of the ultimate romantic escape. Located twenty miles north of the surf capital of Florianopolis, the resort has been the essence of relaxed elegance from the start.
All this has been achieved by the visionary brother-and-sister hoteliers Nicolas and Virginia Peluffo. The siblings collaborated with their father to orchestrate the construction of the original fifteen Superior and Deluxe bangalos overlooking the ocean, spread across a spectacular peninsula with a small private beach. Since then, they have added a total of ten uberluxe Villas and Emerald Villas in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Villas and Emerald Villas (the rooms to get) are decadent open-plan suites, equipped with fireplaces, indoor Jacuzzis, wood-paneled saunas and outdoor plunge pools with stunning vistas of the surrounding green and turquoise water.
The pace of the resort is very slow and beguiling, which draws a lot of couples and honeymooners. Hike to the nearby fishing village, boat out to get fresh oysters and mussels, relax on the beach or have an open-air massage in one of three water-side treatment rooms. In fact, many guests never leave the sanctity of their bungalows, except to enjoy a world-class meal by the property’s star chef Luis Salvajoli. Ponta dos Ganchos deserves its position high on the lists of those seeking a relaxing retreat for two.
