Discovering Luxury in Brazil: Add These 6 Hotels to Your List

The author stayed as an invited guest of The Chili Beach, Emiliano São Paulo, Kenoa Resort, Hotel Unique, and W São Paulo. All opinions are the author’s own, and the hotels had no input in any part of this review.

When planning a luxury 5-star getaway, where’s the first destination that pops into your head? I bet it’s not Brazil, but this South American country should be on the luxury map.

I recently spent 3 months on a quest to discover some of this incredible country’s most luxurious hotels, in locations from remote Jericoacoara to well-known destinations like Rio. I traveled up and down the country to stay in 6 stunning properties, each proving in its own way that Brazil is indeed a luxury destination.

These hotels range from affordable to aspirational-level luxury. Some belong to large chains and can be booked using points, while others are boutique independent hotels.

In the interest of fairness, I’ll take you on a guided tour through each property alphabetically. Because each property is so different, I have no intention of ranking them.

Vamos? (Let’s go.)

The Chili Beach, Jericoacoara, Ceará

Most accommodations in this part of the world are guest houses called “pousadas.” The 5-star Chili Beach is among the few properties classed as a hotel, rather than a pousada.

A sense of calm and contentment instantly came over me as I walked from the sand track through the jungle-like greenery to my room from check-in.

The Room

The mix of earthy tones inside the room, combined with fixtures and fittings made from natural materials, emulates the same sense of being at one with nature that you experience elsewhere in the property.

Although my room was in the lowest category, as a Private Garden Suite, it came with an expansive outdoor terrace featuring sun loungers and a comfy sofa area.

I particularly enjoyed using the outdoor shower.

Back inside, the many textures and tones made for a cozy feel. At night, it was silent, aside from the light hum of the air conditioning — an essential feature as it’s hot and humid year-round in this part of Brazil.

Standout Features

The Chili Beach is located on Malhada Beach rather than the main beach, a few hundred meters away, which can be overcrowded and noisy, especially at sunset.

At times, I had the whole pool area to myself and felt like I was the only guest at the hotel. Bliss.

The hotel also has the excellent Rico restaurant. Guests and non-guests are welcome for lunch and dinner, but reservations are recommended.

Rico is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for 2.

Rico is also where hotel guests enjoy breakfast, which is included in all rates. I particularly enjoyed the fresh fruit each morning.

The only thing missing was complimentary fresh espresso-based coffees at breakfast.

Service

With so few rooms, it didn’t take long to build a rapport with the property’s staff, who were a friendly, jovial bunch and always up for a chat.

At breakfast on my first morning, I mentioned that my favorite fruit was mango, which wasn’t on the menu. My server must have made a note, as I enjoyed mango at breakfast each day after that. Small, thoughtful gestures like this make this property worthy of its 5 stars.

Type of Luxury

The Chili Beach is the epitome of affordable luxury. Better still, the small number of rooms gives the property a feeling of next-level exclusivity. It’s a true luxury destination, made for those who want to escape reality in charming, understated surroundings.

Emiliano, São Paulo

My quest wouldn’t have been complete without a stay at an Emiliano hotel, a high-end boutique Brazilian brand with just 2 hotels in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Located on Rua Oscar Freire in the classy São Paulo neighborhood of Jardins, the Emiliano Hotel looks like any other skyscraper in the area from the outside.

Once inside, you’re transported far away from the noise and bustle of São Paulo’s streets into a world of refined luxury.

Walking around the hotel’s common areas, the immaculate condition makes it hard to believe the hotel opened 24 years ago, in 2001.

The decor in Emiliano’s main restaurant was a welcome nod to the natural beauty and lush greens of Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest. The floor-to-ceiling feature wall creates a sense of dining outside, rather than in a hotel restaurant in one of the world’s most densely populated concrete jungles.

The Room

I was treated to an Emiliano Suite on the seventh floor.

This view out of the window while I worked was a particular highlight.

The Emiliano felt like a home away from home. The decor and furnishings have the same classic style and sophistication as an upscale São Paulo apartment.

Elegant Japanese-style sliding doors separated the bedroom from the main living space.

Atop the bed was a selection of pillows of all shapes, firmnesses, and sizes, ensuring a perfect night’s sleep for all sleepers.

Amenities in the bathroom were by Santapele, a luxury Brazilian cosmetics and perfume brand.

I was most intrigued by the Super Toilet and its many functions — a tell-tale sign that you’re in a luxury hotel (or in Japan).

Standout Features

This fresh red rose in the bathroom was an example of Emiliano’s impeccable attention to detail.

Not to forget the elegant white orchid in the living area.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and the Emiliano did not disappoint. I award maximum points when fresh mango and proper espresso are included. The à la carte menu offered various Brazilian and Western breakfast dishes. Prices were reasonable, too.

Service

Guests staying at the Emiliano São Paulo are made to feel like royalty through the attentiveness and professionalism of the staff.

I appreciated being gifted a pair of Emiliano-branded Havaianas as part of the turndown service on the first night. No hotel can call itself an actual luxury hotel without a turndown service.

My room category also included a complimentary clothes pressing service — a perk you’ll only find in true luxury properties.

Type of Luxury

You’ll find a classic, buttoned-up kind of luxury at the Emiliano. Think about the “yes, sir” or “how may I help you, sir” traditional interactions with staff, similar to what you’d expect when staying at a Waldorf Astoria or the Ritz in London, but with a Brazilian twist.

Fasano, Rio de Janeiro

If the song “Girl From Ipanema” were about a hotel, it would be the Fasano Rio de Janeiro.

Thanks to the hotel’s prime location by Arpoador, where Copacabana and Ipanema beaches meet, it boasts what some consider the best view from a rooftop pool in the city.

Fasano is a Brazilian brand of just 10 boutique-style hotels: 8 in Brazil, 1 in Uruguay, and 1, would you believe, on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

As I had wanted to stay here since my first visit to the city in 2009, this was a bucket list moment for me.

The Room

The ocean-view twin room was fine for a 3-night stay with my dad. We originally booked the cheapest room with an internal view, but we got upgraded by booking via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.

However, if I were judging the room alone and disregarding the rest of the hotel, I’d consider it a little underwhelming. It was spotless and in no way shabby, but if I’d been blindfolded, dropped into the room, and asked to name the brand and give a hotel star rating, I’d have probably guessed a 4-star Hilton.

Standout Features

Room aside, there were plenty of other reasons why this hotel deserves a spot in my top picks.

I wasn’t exaggerating when I said the view from the rooftop pool was amazing. The view takes in Ipanema Beach almost in its entirety, and in the distance is Leblon Beach, the iconic Dois Irmãos peaks, and the favela of Vidigal nestled into the hillside.

The rooftop is also where you’ll find this stunning pool that affords the same breathtaking view. I wouldn’t advise staying here if it’s your first time visiting Rio, as you will not want to leave this pool area.

You don’t want to miss this breakfast, even if you’re on vacation, so be sure to set your alarm.

Breakfast was an exquisite buffet, and depending on the package you booked, you can choose from an extensive à la carte menu. Booking via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, we enjoyed complimentary breakfast each morning, including unrestricted ordering from the à la carte menu.

If you book a package that doesn’t include breakfast, you can expect to pay around $6 to $8 per dish. That’s a bargain considering the quality of food and service you’ll enjoy in this restaurant.

I also enjoyed a complimentary massage as another perk of booking via FHR. I expected the $150 to cover a basic 30-minute massage.

Massages were so reasonably priced that, to my delight, the $150 almost covered a 50-minute full-body massage for me and my dad. We paid around an extra $30 to cover the cost above the $150 credit.

Service

I’ll be honest, after reading some reviews and hearing about other people’s experiences, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the service, especially at the rooftop.

Thankfully, the complete opposite was true. Simply lifting my head up to look at the view would be enough for a waiter to come over to see if I needed anything.

The reception team also went above and beyond at check-in to accommodate our requests and facilitate our upgrade.

Points were lost as we only received turndown service on the last of our 3-night stay. I mentioned this while checking out and was told that there should indeed have been a turndown service each night.

Type of Luxury

You’ll be hard pushed to find a better all-round luxury hotel experience than at the Fasano Rio. Aside from the lack of wow factor with the room, everything else about this stay was phenomenal.

Hotel Unique, São Paulo

Hotel Unique‘s half-moon design is like nothing you’ve ever seen and befitting of its name.

The iconic São Paulo hotel is a couple of blocks from Ibirapuera Park, the city’s largest and most famous green space.

The Room

I was quite simply blown away by the exquisite design of The Mayfair Suite. Every detail was meticulously planned, from placing the enormous bed dead center between the stunning circular windows …

… to the comfy armchair and footrest in a prime location for views over the sprawling city.

Just when you thought the bed stole the show, the bathtub enters the chat.

I’m a massive fan of open-plan hotel rooms that have bathtubs and showers as exposed features.

Everything was aesthetically pleasing, even the bath caddy, complete with a wineglass holder.

Thanks to blackout blinds and window shades, the unconventional portal-style windows didn’t let in a single peep of light from the mega metropolis outside.

Tucking myself into bed for an early night, and my last night in Brazil for a while, I realised the curiously positioned mirror at the end of the bed doubled up as a TV! When can I move in?

Standout Features

Complimentary in-room coffee is increasingly rare. Good quality complimentary in-room coffee is practically nonexistent. Seeing this Illy coffee machine on entering the room makes Hotel Unique an excellent exception to my previous statements.

I loved the rooftop pool area. It’s reserved solely for guests until 6 p.m. every evening and was an oasis of calm compared to the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

The rooftop views of the São Paulo skyline were pretty spectacular.

Service

Turndown service at Hotel Unique was more memorable than the average.

In addition to receiving the lovely gift of a Hotel Unique-branded pair of flip-flops, Hotel Unique’s turndown service included an evening sweet treat of brigadeiro — Brazil’s most-loved chocolate dish.

Type of Luxury

Unique is the only word to describe it. From the high-end finishes and thoughtful design of the room to the brigadeiro turndown service and in-room amenities, the luxury I experienced at Hotel Unique was like nothing I’ve experienced anywhere else. Staying for just 1 night wasn’t enough, and I cannot wait to stay again when I’m back in the city.

Kenoa Resort, Alagoas

Kenoa Resort is the definition of off-the-beaten-track paradise.

My first thought on seeing the lobby was that it could be used to film Netflix’s next series of “White Lotus.”

The Room

Kenoa comprises just 23 suites and villas: there’s no regular “room” on the property. Each comes with a spectacular sea view and outside space as standard.

I stayed for a glorious 3 nights in an entry-level Apoena Suite. Its corner location afforded incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, that’s a Japanese cedar tub on the balcony.

The bathroom was my favorite part of the room. The rainfall shower takes pride of place under skylight windows. It felt like I was showering outside, which I love.

To be even more at one with nature, you might be tempted by one of the oceanfront villas, which have undisturbed views over a private plunge pool out to the deep blue.

I was treated to breakfast one morning in an oceanfront villa, and eating there was a dreamy experience.

Standout Features

Owing to Kenoa’s fairly remote location, I was worried I’d have to rely on overpriced and mediocre resort food. I couldn’t have been proved more wrong.

I dined incredibly well during my stay, and breakfast was the best of all the meals I ate.

From the impressive fruit plate with some I’d never heard of, to the perfectly brewed local Brazilian coffee, I was in my element each morning.

While working from the pool each day, I ordered a turkey, feta, and salad wrap, which I’ll never forget. For around $6, it was an excellent value.

The serenity of the pool could be enjoyed 24 hours a day.

Setting my alarm for 4:30 a.m. was worth it for this incredible sunrise.

The pool area never felt crowded.

I saw so few people using the pristine beach that it felt like a private area belonging to the hotel.

Service

If you want to feel special, Kenoa is the place for you.

I was greeted by name in every interaction. I wondered if this was due to being hosted, but I noticed every other guest receiving the same level of treatment. Every morning, without fail, I’d return to my room after breakfast, and housekeeping would have already been in. This level of attentiveness was off the scale.

Every evening, as part of the turndown service, I’d find a mini fruit platter and a refillable bottle of water chilling in the fridge.

Type of Luxury

Kenoa offers an unfussy, understated, personalised luxury experience that leaves every guest feeling valued. You can be waited on hand and foot or left entirely to your own devices. I felt like I’d been transported to a different realm.

W São Paulo

W São Paulo is the first W property in Brazil and only the third in the entire continent of South America.

Marriott’s W brand is a particular favorite of mine, and W São Paulo was a perfect example of why. W São Paulo was my ninth W hotel stay. Purely for its stunning features, such as the lobby staircase, the hotel is undoubtedly in my top 3 W hotels.

Every corner of the hotel’s 17 floors was as photogenic as the last. It’s truly a masterpiece in design.

The striking glass building soars high above the upscale neighborhood of Vila Olímpia in the district of Itaim Bibi. The closest Metro station is Vila Olímpia.

The Room

I loved the clean lines and modern feel of my W Suite. W São Paulo encapsulates the W’s rebrand, giving its signature sexiness a new, sophisticated, and elegant edge.

The exposed bathtub in the bedroom was a subtle nod to the sexiness I’ve come to love about W over the years.

In the bathroom, the creative use of reflective doors and monochrome features made the space feel larger than it was.

In addition to the tub, there was a separate walk-in shower with views over the city’s skyline.

Standout Features

The W Suite had oodles of wow-factor, but I was most impressed elsewhere in the hotel. I spent most of my time up at the Wet Deck.

From the 40th floor, the view of skyscrapers as far as the eye can see puts into perspective just how huge the city is.

As an AvGeek, watching the steady stream of Azul, GOL, and LATAM planes on final approach to Congonhas Airport (CGH) was the cherry on top.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, you can order the perfect açaí bowl right to the pool.

Like every other W Hotel I’ve stayed in, breakfast at W São Paulo was exceptional. I’m always surprised by the sheer variety of both sweet and savory options.

Another distinguishing feature of the W breakfast is that you’ll always find fun local dishes. It’s common for waiters to go from table to table offering local delicacies that you won’t find at the buffet. At W São Paulo, it was freshly made pão de queijo — little balls of cheesy bread.

Service

Considering the hotel has 179 rooms, the customer service experience resembled what I’d expect at a smaller boutique hotel. It seemed as if each member of staff had been hand-picked for their precise role: from the way I was warmly welcomed by the super-friendly reception team, to watching the edgy bartenders shake cocktails and pour wine, to the sound of the evening’s live music, every single interaction was a pleasure.

Type of Luxury

W São Paulo is more than just a brand; it’s an entire personality. If it were a person, it would be an affluent modern-day millennial escaping a world full of Gen-Z lifestyle hotels. If it were an airline, it would for sure be Virgin Atlantic.

The what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of luxury that W São Paulo exudes was exactly what I look for in a hotel.

How To Book a Stay at These Hotels

The table below shows the best way to book each of the featured properties, along with the lowest night points and cash rates I could find.

Final Thoughts

I hope this selection of incredible hotels, hand-picked by yours truly, has opened your eyes to a side of Brazil you didn’t know existed. When I return in January next year, I plan to revisit each of these hotels and continue my quest to uncover more of the best Brazilian luxury.