Serious problems, comparatively expensive

We stayed at Vila Bela Vista for two months and if you had asked us how we liked it after a few weeks or even after six weeks, we would have given it a pretty good recommendation.

However... when we went over the bill after 2 months, we noticed that we were charged more for our meals than we had previously agreed, denied the cash discount promised on their website, and given the same poor exchange rate for a large cash payment (many thousands of dollars) as you'd get for changing $20 in Jeri's most expensive hotel. (We got a much better rate on items in Jeri that cost us a fraction of the price.) When we brought this up with the owners in a calm fashion (as we thought they were our friends), they threatened to have my husband put in jail by their police friends and have me and my three small children beaten up (aged 5, 2, and 1). It seemed out of character for these previously warm and welcoming hotel owners to do this, but it was extremely real and very scary. As a medical doctor, I'm especially sensitive to acts of violence and as a mother it was very difficult to hear any threats against my own children.

Vila Bela Vista can be a lovely place. But when you stay for a longer period, you're more likely to see other sides of people. We're sorry that this side of the hotel owners came out. Fleeing to another hotel and worrying about the safety of our family was not how we had hoped to end our time in Jeri.

We ended up at an equally tranquil place with a pool and better breakfasts much closer to the center of town. And it was nearly half the price and had free yoga classes. Take a look at Pousada Nova Era.

Also, we agreed to let a Vila Bela Vista owner pick us up at the airport for a private ride to Jeri in their Land Rover. The ride itself was fine, but the price was a bit off. They told us the standard rate for a transfer was $250 USD for a one-way trip and charged us that rate. While in Jeri, we asked around and learned that the actual standard rate (in a new Land Rover or Toyota Hilux) is between $150 - $175 USD (possible to find for even less if you ask around). The only other hotel that charged $250 was the boutique hotel Pousada Vila Kalango, but they also offer a daily mini-bus direct trip for $45.

A relaxing bolthole

I stayed at Vila Bela Vista for 16 days in December 2006. I enjoyed myself hugely. Patricia and Marcio do a great job at running the place and making you feel at home.

Pluses - Patricia and Marcio are warm and friendly. No question or request is too much -- they just sort everything out. The compound is lovely -- they have done a great job with the gardens. Rooms are simple but comfortable. Beds are comfortable. Cleaning is excellent.

Neutral - Location is at the edge of town. I was neutral on this one. It is a bit of a walk (10 minutes) and they do offer a donkey and cart to take you into town in the evenings (and back, but then I never knew when I was coming back). In some ways the edge is good -- it has great views over the dunes and is away from the music and noise of the parties. On the downside, if you suddenly decided you wanted to drop your camera off at home or you ran out of money and needed to go back to your room safe, then it was a 20 minute round trip. On balance, no big deal. Breakfasts were good but not excellent -- fresh fruit (good), white rolls (not the best), cakes (excellent). Their cook would also make omelettes to order. The breakfast selection expanded and improved as the other units filled up (only two units out of eight were taken when I arrived).

Minuses - hard to think of any. Perhaps only that the light fittings installed in the units were very "designer" and between the heavy shades and eco friendly (low watt) bulbs, there was very little light inside once it got dark. This was OK except when I was trying to take my contacts out. Patricia knows this is a problem and there was a programme of upgrades happening even while I was there.

Eden in Brazil

The Vila Bela Vista is special; it is comfortable, friendly, clean and quiet, with a very helpful and warm staff. But above all it feels like a good friend's home, a friend who happens to live in a spectacular setting, with palm trees and a pool in his backyard and the most relaxing environment ever. My two teenagers want to go back and bring their friends. My husband and I just want to go back. It is one of those places you think of when stress levels get high and you need to remember there is life beyond the daily treadmill. It feels Brazilian, works like a good American B&B, and you can even drink the water. It is a good 15 minute walk from the beach, but we enjoyed the quiet this distance provided. After a few hours of windsurfing we would head back through the town, get some ice cream, then finish the walk with a jump into the pool, the only really refreshing water in Jeri, since the ocean is above 25C. About as close to Eden as I have ever been.

Karen and Eduardo, Boston

Great Place!

I have stayed at Vila Bela Vista three times and enjoyed it each time. The owners and staff have treated me wonderfully and the rooms have always been clean, comfortable and nice.

Each year improvements have been added to the rooms and grounds. It's really quite a charming place!

I actually like being a bit out of town as it's quieter at night--especially on weekends when the clubs in Jeri can go quite late. The buggy driver will meet you in town to pick you up after a night on the town, but most nights I preferred the 5-10 minute walk from town under starlit skies.

On the hotel's website, they describe the transportation options for getting to Jeri--including the bus--which is a much cheaper option for those wishing to save some money. I actually enjoy the bus, and the hotel has been helpful in providing me the most up to date information on departure (from the Fortaleza Airport), and arrival times. The hotel will have a buggy driver meet you at the bus station in Jeri.

The hotel is often fully booked during high season--often times with repeat customers which is perhaps the best testimony as to what a great place it is to stay!

Friendly family place full of romance

We've travelled quite a bit in our lives and thus we've seen a number of places all over the world, but only rarely have we enjoyed such warm and friendly hospitality. As to the prices, we can only say you really get a fair deal: you are made an offer and that is exactly what you pay. There are no hidden fees (e.g. for a final cleaning or anything like in some other places). The rooms are really cosy and a comparison with Blue Horizon is simply misguided. A stay in a hotel like Blue Horizon which resembles any high-priced accommodation anywhere in the world really cannot be compared with the very special experience that a stay in Vila Bela Vista provides for those who want to see!!

Roger + Sabine, Munich

La Vida bonita at Vila Bela Vista

Working in the hospitality industry has taken me all over the world in a very large variety of places to spend the night. From Vicky's B&B in Kayelitsha, Capetown South Africa to the Waldorff in NYC. There is no place on earth that is more clean, easy going, friendly and laidback than Vila Bela Vista in Jeri. From the moment you arrive into the tropical gardens of the cozy pousada you become part of the family. The pousada now has 14 comfortable rooms that are well maintained, have AC and have a fully stocked mini bar. Vila Bela Vista is located on the western side of town with a view of the dune. Its upwind location prevents any kind of noise from the lively nightlife in Jeri to be heard while you are enjoying your well deserved rest after a day filled with the activities Jeri has to offer. The wake up call in the morning comes in the form of the wind picking up and blowing through the surrounding palm trees. Breakfast features a variety of fresh items that are healthy and nutricious. If you care not to venture into town for dinner you are welcome to join the family for dinner for a nominal fee. Every night dinner with the family is an event as all guests gather around the kitchen area for a beverage and talk about the adventures they experienced during the day. Dinner consists of local fare with a large variety and choice. The pool and jacuzzi are filled with fresh water from their own well on a daily basis. A large part of the electricity needed to operate the hotel is generated by solar panels. If you are looking to get away from it all and truly come to rest and have a little piece of mind then Vila Bela Vista is the place to be in Jeri

Charming, Tropical, Special

i am a windsurfer, my boyfried a kiter. we discovered this place through other kiter friends 2 years ago. we have gone the last 2 chrismas vacations, 3 weeks total each trip. we just got back yesterday and had another great brazil trip. vilabelavista is outside of town, 5 mintue walk to the beach they offer a horse cart that takes you back and forth--after sailing all day those rides especially at night are welcome. the staff is personal and warm, the owners patricia and marcio extend themselves to make sure you are happy. they give their own time daily and are always around to answer questions and get your adventure needs met. patricio and marcio are both great athletes she's american and he's brazialian. they are a perfect blend of both cultures and getting what you want in way of tours, dune buggys, personal attention. this year, we had clients from argentina, columbia, holland, usa, italy, brazil, france and we all become family kisses, adioses, information is shared within the group--they offer internet wi-fi too.

please email me if you have any questions, marmarwright@yahoo.com anytime.

íUn hogar lejos del hogar!

Si quieres un lugar acogedor (manejado por una familia) para hospedarte en Jeri te recomiendo de corazón la Pousada Bela Vista. Está retirada de la playa, enfrentando las dunas de arena. El único ruido que se escucha es el viento y el canto ocasional de un gallo. Lo que hace que este lugar sea tan especial es la manera en la que los anfitriones Patricia y Marcio te hacen sentir: como si fueses uno de la familia. Nada es un problema. Quedan más que felices dándote orientación para tus viajes, recomendaciones de adónde comer, o los mejores lugares para windsurf, kitesurf. Como la Vila está a sólo unos minutos a pie de la ciudad, hay una "cuadriga" al atardecer que sin duda no te la debes perder. ¡Los que son viajeros nerviosos pueden decidir caminar hasta la ciudad! Vila Bela Vista es una hermosa posada rodeada de árboles, con piscina y jacuzzi. Las habitaciones son casitas separadas con hamacas en la parte de afuera. ¡Excelente!

Ein Zuhause fern der Heimat!

Wenn Sie nach einem familiengeführten Betrieb in Jeri suchen, dann kann ich das Pousada Vila Bela Vista nur sehr empfehlen. Es liegt etwas zurück vom Strand und blickt auf die Sanddünen, man hört nur den Wind und gelegentlich einen Hahn krähen. Die Art, wie die Gastgeber Patricia und Marcio dafür sorgen, dass man sich wie ein Teil der Familie fühlt, macht diesen Ort zu etwas ganz besonderem. Nichts bereitet zu viel Mühe, die beiden organisieren einem gerne Ausflüge, geben Empfehlungen, wo man essen gehen kann und sagen einem auch, wo man am besten windsurfen oder kitesurfen kann.

Die Villa ist ein paar Gehminuten vom Dorf entfernt, es gibt daher einen 'Streitwagen' am Abend, das muss man einfach mal erlebt haben. Für zartbeseitete Gemüter empfiehlt sich der Spaziergang in die Stadt. Pousada Vila Bela Vista liegt im wunderschönen Pousada, ist von Bäumen umgeben und verfügt über einen Swimmingpool mit Jacuzzi. Die Zimmer sind separate Häuser mit Hängematten draußen. Ausgezeichnet!!

A home away from home!

If you want a family-run homely place to stay whilst in Jeri I can heartily recommend the Pousada Vila Bela Vista. Set back from the beach facing out to the sand dunes, the only noise being the wind and the occasional cock crowing. What makes this place so special is how the hosts Patricia and Marcio make you feel like one of the family, nothing is too much trouble they are only too happy to sort out trips, give recommendations on where to eat or tell you the best places to windsurf/kitesurf.

As the Vila is a few minutes walk from the village there is a 'chariot' laid on in the evenings which is definitely to be experienced. Those who are nervous travellers may choose to walk into the village!! Vila Bela Vista is a beautiful Pousada surrounded by Trees with a swimming pool and jacuzzi and the rooms are separate little houses with hammocks provided outside. Superb!!