Santa Teresa Hotel RJ - MGallery

A former coffee finca set in the undulating landscape of the ever charming, bohemian neighbourhood from which it takes its name, the Hotel Santa Teresa has the air of a hillside retreat, but packs in all the amenities of a five-star hotel, including one of the city's best spas.

The location is ideal area for travelers keen to discover Rio's artistic side. In the common areas, burnt cement, reclaimed wood, and tropical plants lend a rustic air without compromising the sense of elegance and luxury.

Think of Santa Teresa Hotel as a hacienda-style counterpoint to the flashier options on the beach... Yes, the service can be uneven, but the 80-foot pool, with its view over Santa Teresa's stately villas to the glittering waters of Guanabara Bay, and lush gardens more than make up for it.