Casa Turquesa Paraty

This meticulously-restored mansion is on the quieter side of Paraty's historical centre. It's centred around a courtyard where tropical plants frame an azure pool and jacuzzi. Inside, every corner showcases Tavolaro's eye for detail, from the designer furniture by Zanine Caldas and Carlos Mota to the artworks on the 18th-century stone walls, including pieces by two-time Arte Naif Biennial winner Tiacho Baenninger and an original photograph by Thomas Farkas. There's also a bar and wine cellar, and a gazebo tucked into the garden for quiet moments.

Suites range from compact to sprawling, and each has its own colour scheme and character. Think canopied beds dressed in 600-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, high-pressure rain showers in bathrooms stocked with Granado products, fluffy bathrobes and handy beach baskets. A favourite is the White Suite, a light and beautiful space that floods with light ornate French doors, while the larger suites include whirlpool baths and separate living areas. Views vary from the bay and its islands to Paraty's famous terracotta rooftops and the dome of Santa Rita Church.

Casa Turquesa is more a stylish base than activities hub, but its port-side location puts you in the perfect place for boat trips along the Costa Verde. The hotel can arrange boat trips with onboard picnics, scuba diving in turquoise waters, or canoeing through mangroves. Paraty's cobbled streets, craft shops, and countless restaurants are all within wandering distance, as well as watercolour painting workshops and cooking classes. For adventure further afield, there's horseback riding through Atlantic Forest, visits to cachaça distilleries, and explorations in Serra da Bocaina National Park.