19 Best Hotels in The Northeast, Brazil

Named after the seven hills that surround the hotel, 7 Colinas is a sprawling oasis that sits amid the trees and flowers of a tropical estate that once belonged to the São Francisco religious order. Rooms are comfortably furnished and face out onto the garden. The large swimming pool, surrounded by Jabuticaba trees, is a haven on hot days and great for kids. From here it's just a short hike up to Alto da Sé. There is a small museum on the hotel grounds, with furniture from the 19th century.

Overlooking the beach, this luxury hotel has beautiful rooms; friendly, five-star service; and a prime location that makes it a wonderful base for exploring Fortaleza. Sophisticated amenities include comfortable king-size beds, a rooftop pool, and L’Occitane toiletries. While the hotel boasts three decent restaurants, it's also within strolling distance of some of the city’s top bars and restaurants. Helpful bilingual concierges can book you into one of the sophisticated beach clubs nearby, or organize a day trip out of town. Opt for one of the ocean-view rooms to wake up to a view of the sparkling blue sea.

Both the service and decor at this small hotel reflect tremendous attention to detail. The restaurant serves skillfully prepared seafood in a gorgeous pool area that overlooks the beach. The location is ideal, as it's just beyond the crowded portion of Ponta Negra.

One of the first properties to open in Praia da Pipa and a pioneer of the eco-hotel movement in Brazil, this luxury retreat remains the best in the area. Constructed from reclaimed local wood, the colonial-style bungalows are spread over 25,000 square meters of lush tropical forest, ensuring that your afternoon siestas will be interrupted only by soft breezes and the chirping of the birds. Combine this with two ionized swimming pools and a gourmet restaurant renowned for its exceptional homemade breakfasts, and you may find it hard to drag youself to the beach.

The city's smartest business hotel, this glimmering high-rise looks directly over Recife's most popular beach. The sleek, spacious rooms share views of the sea, a neutral design, and modern conveniences such as an in-room iPod doc, plasma TVs, and espresso machines. Enjoy the truly memorable ocean panorama as you soar up to the rooftop terrace and pool in the glass-enclosed elevator; there, alongside plenty of sunbathers, you will find a fully equipped gym, Pilates studio, beauty center, and spa. Visiting businesspeople often drop by to dine at the upmarket Mirage restaurant, while the Brasserie serves a buffet breakfast and a varied á la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

In one of the trendiest parts of Boa Viagem and right across from the beach, this modern hotel has elegantly designed rooms and the sort of smiling, efficient service you would expect from one of Brazil's largest hotel groups. A buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served in the trendy Nabuco restaurant, and there is also an on-site coffee shop that transforms into a Japanese temaki counter in the evening. Gym buffs will love the large workout area and state-of-the-art equipment.

With modern rooms, a rooftop pool, two restaurants, and a bar, this stylish hotel is one of the best options in town. The majority of the rooms come with private verandas that overlook Meireles Beach and all have king-size beds. Admire the view during breakfast over endless tropical fruits and strong Brazilian coffee.

A five-minute walk from Boa Viagem Beach, this slightly dated hotel offers spacious rooms that all come with a small, private veranda. While the lobby decor, outdated gym, and '70s-style hotel shops may leave you feeling like you've stepped back in time, the sprawling outdoor pool area, complete with a waterfall and two kiddie pools, pull you back into the present. A new annex offers the most modern rooms.

Set one block back from the beach, these comfortable apartments are perfect for families and visitors in the city for a long stay. Each unit has one or two bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. If you get tired of preparing your own meals, you can head for the restaurant or the coffee shop.

The Othon Palace Fortaleza sits on a small hill right where the beach makes a big curve, affording guests a spectacular view of the beach and Mucuripe Bay. There's comfortable seating in the stylish lobby, where a spiral staircase leads up to meeting rooms. Tastefully decorated rooms are more like small suites.

This eclectic pousada is made up of two colonial houses with soaring ceilings; wood and brick details, original artwork, and an indoor garden lend considerable warmth to the cavernous spaces. It's a member of the exclusive Brazilian Roteiros de Charme hotels group. The hotel's restaurant, Flor de Coco, is a highlight; set on a tiered terrace and surrounded by tropical plants; it serves great caipirinhas and regional specialities in a romantic setting.

Resembling tropical tree houses constructed from reclaimed wood, this eco-pousada's comfortable bungalows were designed with couples in mind. Tropical flowers are strewn across the beds, and the fantastic buffet breakfast is served until 5 pm. The pousada is an easy 15-minute walk to Praia do Conceição. The in-house gourmet restaurant is one of the island's top spots for dining.

Out of the many upmarket pousadas that have opened in Jericoacoara in the last five years, Vila Kalango stands above the crowd with its private bungalows propped on stilts. The style may be rustic, but the quality of service and amenities like 600-count Egyptian cotton sheets provide an extra bit of luxury. Live music is occasionally played around the crimson swimming pool, and the hotel can organize windsurfing and kitesurfing programs with English-speaking professionals and offer complimentary daily transfers to Praia do Prea, one of the top kitesurfing spots.

This spacious, modern hotel is a favorite among both businesspeople and families for its comfortable facilities and professional service. The large rooms are the principal draw, all of which come with comfy king-size beds and modern bathrooms; request one with a veranda that overlooks the ocean. There is a long outdoor pool, ideal for swimming laps, as well as a small gym and sauna. Breakfast is served on the ground floor next to the lobby, which is always packed. Rates tend to drop on the weekends.