23 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This prestigious downtown hotel is synonymous with fine lodging in the region. Its architecture is German Bavarian style—a trademark of Gramado—and the room decor is elegant and sober, with dark-wood furnishings. At the recanto (lounge area) in the evenings guests can experience gaúcho traditions like chimarrão (tea brewed with yerba mate) paired with folkloric rhythms played by local musicians. The location is prime for browsing the myriad shops, cafés, and restaurants of the city.