Best hotels in Brazil

The lodge sits on the Formoso River, roughly 16km down country roads from Bonito, Brazil's cave-diving, river-snorkelling capital, close enough to reach its excursions without sharing a table with the coach parties. Chalet suites face the water, and the river itself does most of the entertaining: fall-free stretches for kayaking and paddleboarding, a ninety-minute trail to the island where two rivers meet, and a swim in water clear enough to explain the fuss. It's a small, informal sort of place.

Designed by Isay Weinfeld and Márcio Kogan, Fasano São Paulo Jardins embodies the century-old dream of the Fasano family, who arrived from Milan in 1902 and built Brazil's most respected culinary empire. In fact, the hotel occupies the historic site of Gero Fasano’s flagship restaurant, its English-brick facade and 1930s flair setting a timeless tone. Inside, the 60 rooms feature intricate Venetian mirrors, Persian rugs, linen curtains, and stunning Murano glass vases, while downstairs, two acclaimed restaurants, Fasano and Nonno Ruggero, channel Italian culinary excellence - and it's all set in the leafy surroundings of the elegant Jardins neighbourhood of the city.

While most Pantanal lodges promise wildlife encounters, Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge delivers them with the kind of consistency that has guests returning time and time again. The famous ‘Jaguar Express’ day trips down the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre offer fabulous big cat viewing - and the guides will turn every excursion into a wildlife masterclass. The lodge itself is set in 3,000 hectares of private land in the heart of the world's largest wetland, and owners Andre and Jerneja have created something that feels more like staying with naturalist friends than checking into a commercial lodge. Highlights include farm-to-table dining with honey, milk, cheese and meat, all sourced on-site, and unparalleled wildlife viewing from the three iconic observation towers.

When Guilherme Rondon inherited his grandfather's cattle ranch in 1996, he could easily have sold it to developers. Instead, this passionate conservationist opened the doors to just 22 guests at a time... and the rest is history! Located 225 kilometres from Campo Grande, just where the Rio Negro meets the seasonal floodplains of Vazante do Castelo, it's one of the most protected areas in the Pantanal and the wildlife is abundant. In flood season, crystal-clear waters surround the lodge, turning morning coffee into a lakeside experience. Beyond, weathered pantaneiros still guide up to 1,000-strong herds of cattle, continuing traditions that predate your great-grandparents and adding to a truly authentic Pantanal experience.

Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras is located in the Nhecolândia region, in the heart of the Pantana, making it the ideal location for travellers who want to explore the wonders of the Pantanal wetlands.

Located in the historic center of Manaus, just a few steps from the Amazonas Theater, the hotel has 29 exclusive apartments, all facing an internal garden and a natural stone pool.

The official accommodation for FLIP, Brazil's internationally renowned literary festival, Pousada Literária takes its bookish credentials seriously. The restored mansion in Paraty's historic centre, redesigned by award-winning Jacobsen Arquitetura, houses several suites and villas a myriad of buildings, all positioned around a pretty central garden. There's a heated pool and beautiful spa with herb- and spice-infused treatments, providing the R&R. The farm-to-table restaurant sources organic produce daily from a nearby farm-turned-sustainable-education-centre. Every room has a curated selection of books, but the piece de resistance is the library, where over 2,000 titles reside on the grand shelves.