The Best Boutique Hotels in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro

The Vila Santa Teresa Hotel ticks all the boxes for a luxury retreat. Gorgeous outdoor swimming pool? Check. Elegantly decorated mansion with five large double bedrooms? Check. Jaw-dropping view across the city with Pão de Açúcar and Guanabara Bay in the skyline? Check. It’s one of the most picturesque hotels in the region and with attentive staff, top-quality food, and the feeling that you’re in an exclusive, private home, it will be hard to leave the grounds of this superb hotel.

Mama Ruisa leaves nothing unturned as it caters to every whim its guests could possibly want. The reformed mansion mixes exotic Brazilian features with a touch of French decor to create an intimate and welcoming setting. Soft towels, real silver crockery, and staff that remember your name are just some of the highlights that make this hotel a step above the rest. During the afternoons, chill by the outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees and hummingbirds and with lovely views of Santa Teresa and Rio de Janeiro’s skyline.

Mama Shelter steers away from the minimalist and sophisticated styles of many of the region’s hotels and provides a trendy, modern setting that is full of energy and still provides an upscale place to stay. Set inside an old mansion, the hotel has 55 individually-styled rooms and a quirky bar featuring a wall of mirrors, plenty of plants to add a bit of green, and the works of local artists hand-painted on the walls. It’s not a cheap option in Santa Teresa but it is a place you will be talking about for years to come thanks to its unique, one-off design and tailor-made service.

Villa Laurinda is set inside a former mansion that is preserved with all of its 19th-century architectural details. The colonial decor inside with modern furnishings creates a charming and comfortable setting and if you’re lucky, you may get a room with a stunning poolside view. The hotel also has a lovely garden with palm trees and local visitors such as hummingbirds, marmosets, and butterflies, and includes upscale touches such as a sauna and free buffet breakfast every morning.

The elegant white mansion looks like a villa you may find on the sunny coastlines of the Mediterranean, but the jaw-dropping views of Rio de Janeiro and its iconic landmarks such as Pão de Açúcar and the Christ the Redeemer serve as constant reminders that you’re in Brazil. The outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by cushioned deck chairs and stubby palm trees that create an exotic setting to catch some rays. In the morning, help yourself to the buffet breakfast and enjoy the outside in the hotel’s tranquil settings. For an extra treat, get yourself a room with a jacuzzi on the balcony so you can relax while taking in the panoramic views of Santa Teresa.

The pretty boutique hotel mixes dark brown wooden furnishings with deep blue walls and furniture to create a striking color theme in the main reception area and on the outside. The rooms, however, are all individually styled in cozy, natural colors and are finished with rustic, wooden furniture. Quinta Azul is set inside a 19th-century mansion and is surrounded by exotic gardens full of palm trees and colorful flowers, which is the perfect setting to have your breakfast in the morning. The friendly staff will make your stay that extra bit more special.

When it comes to boutique hotels in Santa Teresa, the neighborhood has more than its fair share of excellent accommodation spots. However, no matter how wonderful the others are, it’s the Santa Teresa Hotel that remains by far the best and most established hotel in the region and regarded as one of the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro. From its outdoor swimming pool surrounded by white cushioned deck chairs and complete with a panoramic view to its fabulous cocktail bar and upscale restaurant, everything is made to provide you with an unforgettable stay. The hotel also includes a fully-equipped spa.

With its simple yet stylish rooms, Sant’Martre offers a comfortable and clean bed for the night. While the hotel itself is indeed lovely, it’s the gardens that are the main highlight with a large, open space dotted with several types of palm trees and colorful plants. For lazy afternoons, turn on the bubbles in the outdoor jacuzzi and take in the views over Santa Teresa and Rio de Janeiro’s city center. Breakfast is served on the terrace outside and includes a collection of fresh bread, ham, cheese, eggs, and local fruits. You may also find your breakfast guests include little marmosets who are enticed from the trees by the smells of the fresh food. Sant’Martre is one of the best value for money boutiques in Santa Teresa.