43 Best Hotels in Salvador and the Bahia Coast, Brazil

Wilbert Das, creative director of the clothing brand Diesel, found his calling designing this property: the 12 private bungalows encapsulate the original, quirky character of former fishermen's abodes, while remaining impeccably furnished with products from local designers. With converted fisherman cottages and the use of local products and design elements, this intimate hotel puts the destination front and center. Couples will appreciate the private rooftop terrace and quartz Jacuzzi of converted artist's atelier "Terão do Céu," while social butterflies should head for one of the three houses that open directly onto the Quadrado. Hand-laid with 400,000 aventurine quartz, the kidney-shaped pool is thought to have healing properties, while the spa (complete with products handcrafted from almescar by the local Pataxó Indians and a Vichy treatment suite) is the best in town. Each house comes with its own beach bed at Uxua's beach club, a 10-minute walk away.

This intimate boutique hotel on the outskirts of the Pelourinho—featuring personalized service, beautiful rooms, and a unique design—is a favorite among couples celebrating something special. Owned by architect Juan Piccon Navarro from Barcelona, the vibe is more sleek European with a hint of Bali than rustic Bahian, but the view from the infinity pool over the bustling, deep blue bay of Baía de Todos Santos could be nowhere but Salvador. For families, or couples seeking more privacy, the master suite takes up an entire floor and comes with a second bedroom, private terrace, and plunge pool.

This resort should be your choice if you're looking for a beachfront hotel offering ample activities for kids, plus a gorgeous beach complete with natural pools. You can sail, windsurf, and dive; classes are offered for beginners. A water park next to the resort has many pools, waterslides, and water games to keep children and adults entertained for the whole day.

One of the only options for staying overnight on Praia do Espelho, this former artist's residence offers 10 Santorini-esque private chalets scattered up the bluff overlooking the beach. Artist Cala's ceramic sculptures of sea creatures cling to the walls while tiles of flying fish dart across the floors. Service is laid-back yet attentive, with lunches of fresh fish and ceviche served by the creative in-house chef down by the beach. Umbrellas are provided exclusively for guests. Couples should choose one of the two bungalows that open directly onto the beach.

A longtime favorite among business travelers and families due to its close proximity to the airport and extensive facilities—including direct access onto the beautiful Itapuã Beach—this resort hotel could do with an overhaul. Lackluster decor aside, the hotel's tropical gardens remain well kept, the rooms are spacious and come with their own private terraces, and there is a large pool area for children. Make sure you opt for Catussaba Resort rather than its sister hotel, Catussaba Business, which is set a few blocks back from the beach.

Guests rave about the endless gourmet breakfasts at this beautiful restored colonial house a few minutes stroll from the center of town. Owner artist Alcino is on hand to provide insider information and personalized service. It's an intimate experience akin to staying at a friend's home: guests commune over daily changing delicacies such as passion-fruit mousse and manioc pizza, alongside an elaborate display of tropical fruits and homemade breads and jams, all served at a long communal table in a elegant interior courtyard, where hammocks await for post-breakfast snoozes. Rooms are simple and compact, decorated with traditional wooden furniture and antiques. Scattered between two floors of the house, of the 10 rooms, three have shared bathrooms. Those sensitive to noise should ask for one of the rooms on the first floor.

While just a few minutes' stroll from Trancoso's happening square, this elegant, spacious hotel feels like a world of its own: the seven individually styled bungalows (try Morocco or Mediterranean) are scattered through 7,000 square meters of native forest, so you may not glimpse another guest except during dips in the gorgeous semi-Olympic-size pool or over breakfast, where a delicious homemade buffet changes daily. When you do feel like venturing out, two experienced concierges are ready to organize trips to secluded beaches, mountain-bike treks, and horseback riding. Two recently launched private villas are ideal for families or groups of friends, combining two suites, a large kitchen, and the full service of the hotel.

One of the first hotels to open after the creation of the national park, Canto das Águas remains one of the most comfortable places to stay in Lençóis, with spacious rooms overlooking the river and stone archways opening to a garden and large swimming pool that frames the main building. Most rooms come with balconies and are equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and wireless Internet. Alongside a pool bar that's open throughout the day, the hotel's acclaimed restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and a daily tea—opt for one of the tables on the veranda to soak up the view.

A long-standing favorite in the Rio Vermelho district, this quirky 19th-century mansion is full of character, offering friendly service, delicious breakfasts, and small but comfortable rooms. If you're looking for space, ask for one of the six split-level suites. Extra attention is devoted to the decor, which includes pottery and embroidery from local artisans, although certain details, such as the air-conditioning units and mattresses, could do with an update. There is one wheelchair-accessible room for guests with disabilities, unusual for a small hotel.

In the bohemian district of Rio Vermelho, this reliable hotel combines sleek, modern design, quality service, and a stunning rooftop infinity pool a short distance from some of the city's most happening bars and restaurants. Rising above a rocky section of sand, most of the rooms have a sea view, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Alongside on-site conference and meeting rooms and a self-service business center, the hotel can arrange mobile-phone hire and translation/interpretation assistance for business travelers. Though the beach is not the best for swimming, there's another option for guests: the hotel's large infinity pool proves a focal point for travelers and businesspeople to unwind over caju caipiroskas. The Casarão restaurant has tables on a deck overlooking the ocean.

This all-inclusive hotel is popular with families because of its location on quiet Mutá Beach and its wide range of activities. Rooms are run-of-the-mill, but spacious. The restaurant serves international fare with some Bahian dishes.

The main draw at this charming pousada are the rooms, which are large, comfortable, well-decorated, and appointed with king-size beds, balconies, and hammocks. The pousada is located in a leafy garden and there is a small swimming pool on the terrace with fantastic views out to sea.

Location is prime here, right on the banks of Trancoso's river, three minutes' walk from the beach and the downtown square. As the name implies—Mata N'ativa means "native forest"—the pousada is virtually hidden under the canopy of Atlantic Forest. In the rooms, large beds with bedposts holding mosquito nets add to the rugged ambience.

Overlooking Lençóis—west-facing accommodations have magnificent views of the forest-covered river valley—this distinctive hotel has a Portuguese-tile roof and stone facade. The stone-and-wood rooms and suites are the most luxurious choice in the region, and guests have access to a swimming pool, basic gym, and sauna. Many of the rooms accommodate up to three or four people, with private bungalows for families.

If you're seeking a home away from home, look no further than this simple pousada's clean, spacious, white-walled rooms, where the English-speaking owners will entertain you with tales of the history of the Chapada. The hearty breakfast will reveal the origin of the inn's name, Jelly House—dozens of homemade jams and jellys that include regional fruits such as umbú, seriguela, and cajú are featured with your morning fare. The owner, Zé Carlos, is a bird-watching enthusiast and has escorted tourists and biologists on tours of the Chapada.