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The Best Hotels to Book in Brazil for Every Traveler

What a view! Emiliano Rio is one of Brazils best known hotels
What a view! Emiliano Rio is one of Brazil's best known hotels | Courtesy of Emiliano Rio / Expedia

From the tropical rainforests of the Amazon, to the golden beaches of Rio de Janeiro, to the towering skyscrapers of São Paulo, there’s so much to explore when traveling through Brazil — it might take you more than one trip to even scratch the surface. Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, read on for our guide to the best hotels in Brazil.

Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – MGallery

Boutique Hotel

Stylish rooftop pool with sunloungers, a shaded lounge area and city views at Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Courtesy of Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro / Expedia

Set atop Rio’s charming hilltop neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, MGallery offers stunning views of the Guanabara Bay below, where you can find attractions like the Rio de Janeiro Museum of Modern Art and Flamengo Park. The hotel’s restaurant, Térèze, was worthy enough for a Michelin Guide recommendation due to its contemporary Brazilian cuisine, and the Bar dos Descasados is a pool lounge with a panoramic view and delicious Brazilian drinks.

Emiliano Rio

Suite Hotel, Hotel

Stylish lounge area opening up to an outdoor patio with vegetation growing up the walls at Emiliano Rio
Courtesy of Emiliano Rio / Expedia

Busy executives can land their helicopters on the Emiliano’s rooftop, while the rest of us can make the short drive from the airport. Just meters from the beach and in the middle of crescent-shaped Copacabana, the Emiliano Rio has endless amenities, from the rooftop pool to the rainforest-like restaurant, making it one of the very best places to stay in Brazil. In this lively neighbourhood, locals and visitors are out and about around the clock.

Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro

Boutique Hotel, Budget Hotel

Stylish bar and outdoor terrace with spectacular views of Rio de Janeiro at Yoo2 Hotel
Courtesy of Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro by Intercity / Expedia

Trendy Botafogo rings around its namesake half-moon bay, giving you all the action of underground bars and avant-garde bistros right by the shoreline. The Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro’s rooms – featuring wallpapered ceilings, tiled floors and neon lights – give way to incredible views of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. If that’s not enough, the hotel organizes bike tours, guided runs and street art walks to help you get beneath the skin of the city.

Tivoli Mofarrej

Hotel

Modern lounge area with stunning views of the city at Tivoli Mofarrej São Paulo Hotel
Courtesy of Tivoli Mofarrej / Expedia
Located just above Trianon Park, the Tivoli Mofarrej oozes extravagance, and the rooms have an unbeatable view topped only by Seen, the dazzling 360-degree restaurant and bar. Shopping in Jardins can be swapped for a trip to the Museum of Art of São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand, or you can always pop into a swanky shop before heading over to the Museum of Image and Sound.

Hotel Unique

Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Hostel

The eye-catching exterior of Hotel Unique in São Paulo, in the shape of a large inverted arch
Courtesy of Hotel Unique / Expedia
No, it’s not a capsized cruise ship – it’s the Hotel Unique, designed by Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake. Spanning half a city block, this work of modern art is topped only by the sight of the sunset from the terrace’s Skye Bar. Spend at least one afternoon in the Ibirapuera Park, just a few minutes from the hotel, and get lost in one of the biggest, most popular parks in Latin America.

Toca da Coruja

Spa Hotel, Hotel

A spacious, boho-chic room with rustic wooden furniture and cosy textiles at Toca da Coruja Hotel in Brazil
Courtesy of Toca da Coruja / Expedia

Find a sanctuary of your own at Toca da Coruja, not far from the white dunes, hidden coves and thick vegetation that runs along the Santuário Ecológico de Pipa on Brazil’s eastern coastline. From your own canopy bed to the jungle canopy outside, a trip to this protected Atlantic Forest land feels like a respite from the real world. Our tip? Learn to surf at Praia da Pipa – you might even spot the dolphins that regularly frequent the area.

Pousada Capim Santo Trancoso

Hotel

A room at Pousada Capim Santo Trancoso featuring a four-poster bed, a television, a large sofa and warm lighting
Courtesy of Pousada Capim Santo Trancoso / Booking.com

Farther down the coast from Porto Seguro, Trancoso, once a sleepy fishing village, is now an ecofriendly paradise. Set among lush tropical gardens, Pousada Capim Santo (Lemongrass Hotel) invites nature into every one of its rooms with wide open louvered doors and hammocks hung on the patio. The restaurant at this Brazilian hotel serves local food, largely sourcing fresh-caught seafood off the coast.

Lobo Urban Stay

Budget Hotel, Hostel

Stylish, modern lounge area at Lobo Urban Stay, São Paulo, with a sofa, a bentwood chair and plastic shelving made from boxes
Courtesy of Lobo Urban Stay / Booking.com

Backpackers who want to get the most bang for their buck should check out Lobo Urban Stay, a guesthouse in São Paulo’s traditionally exclusive Jardins neighborhood. It’s just blocks from Paulista Avenue, the city’s busy shopping street, and not far from the São Paulo Museum of Art. Getting around the city is a breeze, as Lobo is only a six-minute walk from the Consolação metro station.

Pousada Ziláh

Hotel

Cozy twin room with wooden furnishings and outdoor access at Pousada Ziláh Hotel, São Paulo, Brazil
Courtesy of Pousada Ziláh / Expedia
Framed floral prints and exposed brick walls create a cozy climate at Pousada Ziláh, a 1934 mansion built on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Higienópolis neighborhood, away from the Paulista Avenue chaos. Pop into one of the chic cafés nearby for a quick cappuccino, or fill up on lunch before you go; if you’re planning on going to São Paolo’s Football Museum a few streets over, you’ll spend all day learning why the sport is so popular in Brazil today.

Botanique Hotel and Spa

Resort, Spa Hotel, Hotel

Colorful, stylish suite at Botanique Hotel and Spa with a balcony and views of trees
Courtesy of Botanique Hotel and Spa / Expedia

Nature lovers will feel at home at Botanique Hotel and Spa, located along the Mantiqueira Mountain ridge near Campos do Jordão in Southeastern Brazil. While the hotel does have activities like yoga classes, mountain biking and horseback riding, part of the appeal is not doing much at all, whether that’s sipping on your morning coffee from the balcony or stocking the wood-burning fireplace that will keep your room warm during the chilly mountain nights.

Looking to travel in style? Discover our guide to the best boutique hotels and places to stay in Brazil, or try these hotels in Natal, now bookable with Culture Trip. For more options, see our guide to the best resorts in Natal.

About the author

Kylie Madry is a freelance journalist living in Mexico City, working on everything from translating for true-crime podcasts to compiling her favorite sights and sounds across the country. See more of her work or reach out at kyliemadry.com.

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