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São Paulo has by far the best lodgings in the state. Elsewhere you can generally find basic pousadas (sort of like bed-and-breakfasts), with the occasional gems like Porto Pacuíba on Ilhabela and Shangri-Lá in Serra Negra. Coastal towns are packed in summer (from December to March) and it’s almost impossible to get anything without advance reservations. The same holds true for Campos do Jordão and Serra Negra in winter (June and September).
This luxury hotel with direct access to Praia do Curral is geared toward couples looking for romance and relaxation, with modern, cozy and comfortable rooms and access to one of Ilhabela's most famous beaches. A range of treatments can be booked at the spa. Kids under 12 years old are not allowed at the hotel. There are four exquisite restaurants that also attract diners who are not staying at the hotel.
A former 1940s casino—just like its sister hotel in Águas de São Pedro—the Grande Hotel is a teaching hotel that boasts extensive grounds with beautiful gardens and plenty of outdoor activities. There's also a fantastic pool and spa area, and two award-winning restaurants. Free shuttles take guests into the Capivary district and to some other tourist destinations, but if you just want to stay at the hotel, there's loads to keep you busy.
In the middle of a 300,000-square-meter (3.2 million-square-foot) park with more than 1 million trees and local wildlife, this hotel is in a beautiful art deco building that was a casino during the 1940s. Now it's a teaching hotel—many of the friendly staff members are students—and restaurant with all the comforts of a full-service spa.
The Firenze hotel in Serra Negra offers a great deal. Its location, a stone's throw from the shopping area and the town's main square, is the primary draw. Rooms are comfortable and amenities include a fitness room, a swimming pool surrounded by hammocks, a games room with pool and card games tables, and massage services, which are charged separately. The hotel also offers a range of activities for children.
Tucked away from the main cluster of Camburi's bars and all the noise of weekend partiers, this very special boutique hotel is the perfect choice for couples looking for peace and quiet. If you can stretch the budget, book one of the bigger suites on the top floor; each has sea views, two terraces, and a hot tub. Every year in June, the hotel closes its doors for repairs and maintenance to ensure the unmatched quality and standards of the hotel.
A luxury pousada in the beautiful, unspoiled fishing village of Picinguaba, this place is ideal for couples looking for peace and quiet. Staff are happy to arrange walking tours, as well as diving trips and mini-cruises around the coast's little islands. Outstanding ocean view from the swimming pool.
Right on Maresias beachfront, with easy access to the town center, this hotel has cozy rooms and a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, perfect for days when agitated seas make the beach less appealing. The breakfast is hearty with fresh, locally sourced products, and full beach service is offered, from chairs and parasol setup, to drinks and snacks. The pool underwent a renovation in 2023, and several rooms received upgrades.
This hotel, resembling a large ranch house, has an arcaded veranda and well-maintained, but rather dated, rooms. The pool area is large and a perfect place to relax. The restaurant serves homestyle Brazilian fare like filé à cubana (steak with fried bananas) and has live music on weekends in the high season.
Peaceful and family-friendly, Porto Pacuíba is close to a beach (just across the street) and has easy access to good hikes nearby. The common areas, including hot tubs, a sauna, and a pleasant pool area with a swim-up bar, are surrounded by beautiful gardens and enormous mango trees.
The former guests of this exclusive hotel atop Morro do Cantagalo range from Swedish royalty to the Rolling Stones. The rooms feature a rustic brick decor and are simply furnished, each with a balcony overlooking the sea. The hotel includes a small pool and offers stunning views.
The hotel offers a prime location in Santos, just steps from the beach and shopping areas. Its rooms are modern and comfortable, providing a relaxing stay. The hotel features excellent leisure facilities, including a rooftop pool with stunning ocean views. Renovated in 2018.
North of the ferry dock, this red house has midsize rooms, all at ground level. Each room has its own unique decoration, but all have hardwood furnishings, and either tile or stone floors.
On the main street just a stone's throw from the town's clubs and bars, Pousada Porto Mare is a great choice for those who like to be close to the action, with plenty of amenities thrown in—a nice pool and sauna facilities, and beach service, too. Rooms are basic yet neat and clean, and the restaurant offers a range of reasonably priced Brazilian standards, such as prato feito, a set meal of rice, beans, meat, fries, and salad. Perfect for those looking for an economical option with excellent cost-benefit.
A simple but comfortable and very clean pousada, Torre del Mar is just a stone's throw from the town's main attractions, beaches, and restaurants. The English-speaking owner, Alexandre, and his family provide excellent service.
A stay at this cozy guesthouse puts you in the gastronomic and commercial center of Campos. Most rooms have balconies, and five of them have whirlpool baths.
At the edge of town, 3,600 feet above sea level, this little gem offers a wonderful pool area open 24 hours and gazebos with breathtaking views of the mountains. The restaurant, which is open to nonguests, serves a variety of dishes including typical Brazilian fare, pasta, and pizza. It has a very romantic atmosphere, perfect for couples. Options of suites, chalets, and bungalows.
TW Guaimbê stands out as one of the few beachfront hotels in the area, offering direct access to the sand and sea. The modern rooms and attentive service enhance the seaside experience. Guests can enjoy the pool and lounge area, all just steps from the beach. On Saturdays, the hotel features live saxophone music during sunset, adding a touch of elegance to the evening.
The owners of this chic hotel sought inspiration from Bali to create the beautiful gardens inlaid with pebbles, sculptures, and tropical plants surrounding the pool and sauna areas. A full gym is available, as well as a spa. The hotel closes annually for almost a month which allows the team to carry out essential improvements, guaranteeing that every guest experience remains exceptional.
