53 Best Hotels in The South, Brazil

The ocean view from the north-facing rooms is one reason to stay at the island's most sophisticated resort; the surrounding 100-acre Atlantic Forest is another. There are several nearby trails, including one that leads to petroglyphs on the hill. The older buildings have full apartments with mini kitchens that are perfect for longer stays. A more recent addition features traditional hotel rooms with modern decor. All have great ocean views. The list of activities here is almost unending: martial arts, aerobics, surfing, sandboarding (like snowboarding, but on sand), and trekking.

Not only is this stately hotel in the national park, with views of the smaller falls from the front-side suites, but it also provides the traditional comforts of a colonial-style establishment: large rooms, terraces, vintage furniture, and hammocks. The main building, surrounded by verandas and gardens, is almost 100 years old and is a national historic monument. Although the rooms are comfortable, it's the setting and atmosphere that you pay for—the chance to wander the paths to the falls before and after the hordes of day visitors arrive is priceless. The traditional Brazilian Itaipú restaurant and the Ipê grill near the pool offer all-you-can-eat barbecue and salad buffets.

This renowned hotel has lush rooms with verandas, most of which give ample views of the beach; some are apartments with a small kitchen, perfect for longer stays. You're just steps from the popular Jurerê Beach. The hotel is a prime destination for South American visitors, especially Argentines, and a minimum stay of one week is usually required in high season (December–March). The Z Perry restaurant ($$–$$$) serves international fare with seafood specialties.

The most comfortable lodging at the end of the canyon valleys, this pousada has established its niche among adventure tourists, who depart from here to explore the Malacara and other canyons beyond. All northwest-facing rooms have balconies with views of the canyon walls. Every room has a different color scheme, and all have comfortable, queen-size beds. A handful of chalets and glorified sheds dotted about the pousada's jungle garden make for an even more remote sleeping option.

In the fashionable neighborhood of Moinhos de Vento, the Sheraton sets the city's standard of luxury; the level of comfort is outstanding, from the lobby to the top-floor rooms. All rooms have plush king-size beds and subdued decor with dark-wood furnishings. In the Brazil Suite you'll find 18th-century-style wooden furniture and copies of paintings by the French artist Debret, whose works depict rural scenes of colonial Brazil. The restaurant, Porto Alegre Bistrô ($$–$$$), offers Mediterranean fare accompanied by live piano performances each weekday evening. The hotel is in the same complex as the Moinhos de Vento Mall.

Everything at the Serrano is designed to make your stay enjoyable and unforgettable: superb restaurants, plenty of sports and leisure options, and a can't-beat location, just a few blocks from downtown Gramado. Rooms are plush and spacious, overlooking the city and forested hills beyond. Among the activities and amenities are a guided morning walk on the trail that circles the grounds, aerobics in the pool, massage, and a sauna. The Frontera Sur restaurant serves South American fare, with an emphasis on beef dishes. The resort has one of the best-regarded convention centers in Brazil on its grounds.

This hotel is recommended for sophisticated business or leisure travelers. The decor is sober, with custom antique-style furniture and textured wallpaper. The restaurant, Le Bourbon, serves French-Swiss dishes, but the Brazilian feijoada (a hearty stew of black beans and pork) is the Saturday special.

Right in the historic district, Camboa Resort has comfortable facilities, a long roster of activities, and a dedicated staff that can arrange tours in the region. The modern architecture and red-tile roofs blend nicely with the colonial surroundings. Rooms have a sleek design, with blond-wood furnishings and light colors. Ask to be on the north side for a bay view. Continental cuisine, with an emphasis on French, is served in the Camboa restaurant ($$).

Tourists are lured to this downtown budget option for its many business amenities, such as two phone lines for every room. Rooms are utilitarian, with plain and cheap-looking furnishings and carpeted floors, but the hotel is close to central attractions and the bus terminal, and access to the airport is quick and easy.

At this small, comfortable hotel, the rooms and suites are unusually spacious and come with large beds, blond-wood furniture, and carpeting. Bathrooms are heated—hard to find in Brazil, but welcome in the cold Curitiba winters—and the hotel has a sauna in the gym. Another draw is the location, mere steps from Rua 24 Horas, a shopping complex with several small stores and cafés.

Close to the museums and cathedral, this unassuming central hotel features spacious rooms and modern decor. The staff is well trained and can help you find tours and activities. The top-floor restaurant, popular with businesspeople, has a view of the Guaíba riverfront.

Widely regarded as Curitiba's finest hotel, the Four Points is geared toward the discriminating business traveler. The lobby is spacious and modern, and room decor is a mix of modern and classic, with pastel colors and sleek wood furniture. The restaurant serves Italian fare.

Considered one of the finest lodging options on the shores of Rio Grande do Sul, this hotel is within walking distance of Watchtower State Park and its beaches. The all-white rooms are sleek, with colorful bedding and furnishings. Ask for a room with a balcony facing either the sea or the park.

The first member of the Holiday Inn family in South Brazil is in the booming business district of Bela Vista, which not too long ago was a purely residential neighborhood. The decor is modern; rooms have king-size beds.

Lush, meticulously furnished suites with hot tubs await discerning guests at this popular hotel. Rooms facing west have a grand view of the bay and Hercílio Luz Bridge. From here, quick access to the business district is guaranteed. Beaches are farther away, but access is easy.

Cozy up in the poolside Jacuzzi to watch an epic sunset over the mainland at this hotel on the northern tip of Florianópolis. The hotel's Canto do Mar restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, buffet-style. Request a room with a balcony overlooking the bay for the best sunset views. Stroll to nearby Ponta das Canas Beach, and stick your feet in the sand at the Garra Azul restaurant, by the same owners, while trying siri na manga, a tasty crab and mango appetizer, or crunchy octopus with a chili jelly.

Tops among the city's roster of budget lodgings, the Íbis is stocked with undistinguished and bland rooms, although the beds are comfortable. The hotel is no-frills: be prepared to carry your own luggage. The reception desk and the restaurant are in restored historic houses that are detached from the main building. Íbis is one of the few hotels in Curitiba that has wheelchair-accessible rooms.

If you're looking for service and basic facilities like those you can find back home, Íbis is a reliable choice. The decor is undistinguished, but almost all rooms have comfortable queen-size beds. It's one of the few hotels in the area to offer rooms for people with disabilities.

This family-friendly hotel in a resort complex allows guests to sit around the lounge fireplace and enjoy panoramic views of the Quilombo Valley. The room decor is sleek and modern, with brushed-steel accents, lush bedding, and gleaming wood furnishings. West-facing rooms have stunning mountain views. Guests can use the amenities of the resort, like the swimming pools and the tennis courts. The resort offers larger apartment-like rooms with living rooms and kitchenettes at the contiguous Hotel Mountain Village.

Although it has much to offer, this midsize hotel's main attraction is its location on the popular (and therefore crowded in high season) Praia dos Ingleses. The pool is one step from the beach, making the Lexus a great place to enjoy the warm northern waters. Choose the bay-facing apartments with balconies where you can hang your hammock and feel the sea breeze. Rooms are sleek, with colorful bedspreads and blond-wood furniture.