La Villa Bahia

Having lived many lives (from a haberdashery shop to a consulate), La Villa is adorned with history, and you'll spot original ironwork and parquet floors as well as stunning, antique furnishings. The restaurant serves a menu of French-Brazilian fusion cuisine, while the bar is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or aperitif. Breakfast on the patio is just the way to start your day. Each mansion also has a rear patio, one of which houses the pool – grab a book from the reading lounge and get comfortable.

Split across three floors, there are 17 rooms in total, each with its own vibrant character that reflects a period in Portuguese expansion – it's far more colourful than it sounds! The rooms all have high ceilings and four-poster beds, brightly-painted shutters and vintage wardrobes, as well as aircon. One of the largest rooms is the 'Madagascar', which has a beautiful view of the esplanade. All the rooms on the top floor also have their own private terraces.

Thanks to a stellar location within Salvador de Bahia's historic centre, it's an easy walk to many of its most beautiful sites from La Villa. Follow the quaint cobbled streets and explore serene churches, galleries and museums, including the Casa do Carnaval, where you can learn all about the origins of Brazil's Carnival festival. There are also plenty of beaches nearby, their golden sands and warm waters offering up all sorts of temptation...