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It’s not often you travel to a honeymoon resort on your own (memo to self: take plenty of improving books to read) but Ponta Dos Ganchos is Brazil’s most exclusive beach retreat. I wanted to experience it, companion or no companion.

With only 25 bungalows set in a tropical landscape (overlooking the private beach dubbed one of the sexiest in the world), the resort on Brazil’s south coast provides romance and seclusion. Children under 18 are not permitted. No wonder it’s the weekend destination for wealthy paulistanos (inhabitants of São Paulo, 650km away but just an hour by plane).

If, through some oversight and like me, you arrive without a husband, there’s still plenty to do, including gourmet dining, a hilltop spa with cabañas overlooking the ocean, a cinema, nature trails along the headland and scuba diving.

Brazil is Latin America’s big success story — it will be hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 — but Ponta Dos Ganchos is still something of an insider secret.

Located just north of the island of Santa Catarina, this award-winning Relais & Châteaux resort is tucked away on a privately owned peninsula surrounded by the Emerald Coast and lush rainforest.

My trip came in the middle of a city tour covering both São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. With all the feverish, frantic brilliance on offer, it was a chance to really unwind. The atmosphere is so laid-back here you can go barefoot or sparkle in your jewellery.

Frankly it’s not easy to leave your bungalow, which is bigger than the average central London flat. Decorated in rustic-chic style, my open-plan, loft-style bedroom had a huge bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, a sauna with ocean views and a bathroom with spa-massage and Jacuzzi.

There’s wi-fi, flat-screen televisions and a fireplace, plus an expresso machine and private wine cellar. Outside, the bungalow has a private deck with an infinity pool.

Breakfast is served in the games room, close to the fitness centre and indoor swimming pool. A dainty nine-course feast that is more like English afternoon tea is offered with teeny sandwiches or blinis, omelettes, fruit, organic shots, even an indulgent fruit clafoutis with whipped cream. All before 11am. As a lovely touch, your name is spelled out out in the froth of the cappuccino.

The main restaurant, Cantinho de Velez, which overlooks the beach, is like a set from South Pacific. The menu combines traditional Brazilian recipes with international haute cuisine. It’s delicious but healthy (I imagine honeymooners don’t want to retire stuffed). The resort grows its own organic fruit and veg and superb South American wines are served.

At lunch there’s an informal seafood grill — locally caught fish such as grilled mussels, scallops and prawns. Then you can sunbathe with coffee on the oversize sofas along the shore.

The à la carte menu changes daily.One night I feasted on a tasting menu of acaraje souffle with tomato tartar and spicy biquinho pepper cream; followed by grilled shrimp and mashed sweet manioc with yemanja sauce, and sea bass with bean pirao.

For dessert came a refreshing fruit soup with zabaglione and pistachio ice cream.

Guests can have supper served on the beach or dine solo on their little stone island (reached by walking a long wooden catwalk bridge).

Gentle exertions are boat trips along the coastline, to go oyster fishing or watch dolphins. Then there was that lost afternoon tasting different flavoured cachaca (Brazilian rum).

The Christian Dior spa — the only one in South America — consists of three small pavilions each with a garden at the edge of the peninsula.

You can enjoy a relaxing full-body massage as the sun sets over the bay, listening to waves crash.

Entertainment here helps keep you on site. One magical night, I watched a torch-lit folk art performance by Boi de Mamão, as figures in traditional animal costumes acted out the story of the death and resurrection of the ox.

Florianópolis, an hour’s drive away, is well worth a visit, with its mix of colonial and super-rich beach houses.

Cross over the famous old suspension bridge, no longer open to traffic, to the city centre and you’ll find ornate churches and fantastic local markets.

Brazilians are a bit obsessed by weddings (hence the existence of a honeymoon island). In the central town square, Praça XV de Novembro, there’s a 100-year-old marriage tree.

Walk clockwise and legend has it you’ll be engaged in minutes. Proceed backwards, however, if you want a divorce…

DETAILS: BRAZIL

Journey Latin America has five nights at Ponta dos Ganchos (pontadosganchos.com) from £2867pp B&B including return flights from Heathrow and transfers (journeylatinamerica.co.uk).

braziltour.com