Sandi Hotel

This UNESCO World Heritage building on Largo do Rosário has retained its original 18th-century architecture with stone walls, wooden beams and those wonderfully uneven floors that creak with character. Outside, the tropical garden courtyard with its pool and jacuzzi is the social heart of the hotel, as is Pippo restaurant with its 1960s-inspired décor and photo gallery by paparazzo Marcello Geppetto. The second restaurant is Pupu, a farm-to-table restaurant specialising in regional seafood and non-conventional edible plants.

Rooms range from standard to master suites and all have air conditioning, minibars, TVs and King-size beds draped in 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton Trousseau sheets with goose-down pillows (and there's an additional pillow menu, too!). The décor is simple and showcases bright Brazilian artworks and most rooms have balconies overlooking either the garden or historic streets. In the bathrooms, expect good-quality toiletries and in some suites, saunas and hot tubs. The higher category rooms also have small living areas.

Sandi Hotel's central location puts you within stumbling distance of everything Paraty offers. The beach at Praia do Cais is a five-minute stroll, while boat tours to the bay's islands depart from the nearby harbour. The hotel offers a complimentary guided city tour, and for something more adventurous, can arrange trips hiking trips to Serra da Bocaina National Park, kayaking in Saco do Mamanguá, explorations in the Atlantic Forest, and visits to the famous cachaça distilleries of the region.