11 Best Hotels in Brasilia and the West, Brazil

This is your chance to stay in an effortless modernist masterpiece, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, which reopened in 2006 after a top-to-bottom renovation supervised by Niemeyer himself. The first hotel built in Brasília, this simple rectangular structure exudes tranquillity and seems to shimmer in its lakeside setting. Two wall-size panels by Athos Bulcão adorn the lobby. The common areas are the epitome of 1960s chic. In 2014, the Palace hosted the Brazilian soccer team during their ill-fated World Cup campaign.

This is one of Cuiabá's most popular hotels for both business travelers and tourists, mainly because of its location near the City Center next to a cluster of restaurants. Rooms are also spacious by Brazilian standards, and staff are very attentive. It's worth asking about discounts.

Originally owned by descendants of Brasília's founding father, Juscelino Kubistchek, this hotel is decorated with some of his own antiques. Rooms have modern decor, with pastel color schemes and wood accents. The Diamantina restaurant has a varied menu that includes some of the President's favorite dishes from Minas Gerais State.

This property, with an enviable location on the Eixo Monumental, is adjacent to the Brasil XXI convention center and just steps from the Parque da Cidade, so you often see guests heading out to enjoy the park. Catering to business travelers, the hotel has sleek rooms that are comfortable enough for longer stays, and some rooms have excellent views. The hotel has made a commitment to going green, and one floor is made entirely of wood from sustainable forestry, although these rooms cost more.

The standard rooms at Paiaguás Palace are charmless, but the large and luxuriously furnished suites suit the rather grandiose name. The top-floor restaurant, with its buffet of international fare, has good views—on clear evenings you can see the plains. Location is one of the main draws of this hotel; it's right in the business district.

Rooms are impeccably clean at this eco-lodge, which has comforts unexpected in an area this remote. All have verandas where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the views. The restaurant serves great Pantanal fish. Environmental education and awareness is the motto here: this pousada goes the extra mile to keep the environmental impact of tourism to a minimum and explains why and how they do it. One highlight is the 3,000-foot wooden walkway over the wetlands. There are two observation towers extending well above the treetops. From there you have a bird's-eye view of the surroundings. There's a two-night minimum stay, which provides you time to join the trekking, canoeing, and horseback riding, all included in the price.

This pousada is nestled on a 2,000-acre island in the Rio Salobra delta. Connected by a bridge to the mainland, it can be reached even during the high waters of the rainy season. The lodge, once a farmhouse, has comfortable apartments with tiled floors and pastel color schemes. Among the activities offered, snorkeling on the river and bird-watching are most popular. Large wildlife (especially mammals) are best seen on an evening or dawn tour in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

President Obama's choice when he came to Brasília in 2011, this swank hotel has a prime location next to the official residence of the president of Brazil, which has made it a firm favorite for visiting politicians and diplomats. Lesser mortals will be wowed by the dramatic lobby and the stunning setting on the edge of Paranoá Lake, although standard rooms do not come with a view and are surprisingly drab, especially given the hotel's gaudy red facade. Golden Tulip took over management in 2009, and some guests prefer the Golden Tulip Brasília Alvorada, on the same site, where rooms are brighter and less expensive.

With decorations inspired by the Kadiweu people's traditional crafts, this eco-lodge has an authentic feel. The rooms—in single-story bungalows—are spacious, with colorful furnishings, tile floors, and wood paneling. Some rooms have good views of the extensive gardens and the nearby forest-covered hills. The restaurant serves international fare, but local fish is always available. Tours to the region's attractions can be arranged through the on-site travel agency. The resort also has swimming pools, tennis courts, game rooms, and a lake for fishing. Rates include dinner.