Boutique of 14 rooms in a 1920s villa in Santa Teresa, the bohemian district perched on the hill.

Villa Paranaguá Hotel & Spa - Boutique Hotel

★9.5

From

319.881 €

“Infinity pool facing Guanabara Bay, open until 22h with caipirinha service by the water.”

BoutiqueSpaVue merRomantiqueBien-être

Villa Paranaguá Hotel & Spa occupies a restored colonial residence in Santa Teresa, the artists' district on the hillside. We take the historic yellow tramway up, the hotel stands three bends from the station. The rooms blend Portuguese azulejos, dark Brazilian wood, thick white linen, bathrooms in Minas Gerais stone. The infinity pool overlooks the bay, Sugarloaf in the distance, Copacabana below. The spa offers signature massages with copaiba oil, cabins open onto the tropical garden. From 320 € per night, rating 9.5/10 on 321 reviews, placing the Villa in the top trio of Rio boutique hotels. We stayed three nights, the service remains attentive without being intrusive ✨.

Who is it for?

Who we recommend it to

We recommend the Villa to couples in their thirties and older seeking Rio's artistic side rather than the beach. It suits offbeat honeymoons, birthday weekends, creative retreats with sketchbooks. Families with young children will find the tramway access complicated, better to choose Ipanema.

The building

Architecture and interiors

The villa dates from the 1920s, when Santa Teresa attracted wealthy families fleeing the heat of the centre. Two-storey Portuguese colonial architecture, pale yellow façade, wrought-iron balconies, red-tiled roof. Interior refurbished in 2015: Brazilian wood floors, white walls, sober contemporary furniture that lets the original blue azulejos speak. Ceiling height of 3.20 m, sash windows, ceiling fans to complement air conditioning.

At the table

Restaurants, bar, service

The Villa's restaurant serves breakfast and dinner by reservation, contemporary Brazilian cuisine with produce from Ceasa (Rio's wholesale market). Continental breakfast with tropical fruits, pão de queijo, tapioca prepared to order. The pool bar offers classic caipirinha or with seasonal fruits, service until 22h. No signature chef, yet the menu changes with market arrivals.

Highlights

14 rooms only, restored 1920s villa with period azulejos
Infinity pool facing Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf
Spa with cabins open onto tropical garden, massages with copaiba oil
Santa Teresa, bohemian district accessible by the historic yellow tramway
Rating 9.5/10 on 321 Booking reviews, highest score among Rio boutiques

Location & access

Where the hotel sits in Rio de Janeiro

Santa Teresa sits on the hill of the same name, between the historic centre and the southern zone. The yellow tramway (bondinho) climbs from Lapa in twenty minutes, the hotel is 400 m from Curvelo station. District of artists' studios, galleries, samba bars, narrow cobbled lanes. Taxi to Copacabana in 25 minutes off-peak, 45 minutes during rush hour. Santos Dumont Airport 6 km, Galeão 22 km. In the evening, Santa Teresa stays lively yet quiet after midnight.

Good to know

Before you book

Access: Yellow tramway from Lapa, then 400 m on foot. Taxi recommended with luggage.
Pool: Open 8h-22h, heated, bar service until 22h.
Spa: Massages by reservation 10h-20h, covered outdoor cabins.
Wi-Fi: Free in all rooms and common areas.
Children: Accepted, yet no connecting rooms or baby cots.

Facilities

1 pool

Non-smoking rooms

Free Wi-Fi connection

Spa and wellness centre

Restaurant

Wi-Fi available everywhere

Location

Where Villa Paranaguá Hotel & Spa - Boutique Hotel is located

Exact address