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Given Belo Horizonte's hills and the long walking distances between key places of interest, the location of your hotel is crucial. To capture a glimpse of everyday life here, the City Center is the best place to be—particularly the region around Avenida Afonso Pena. While the City Center pulses during the day, it's somewhat gritty at night. For an upmarket area with sophisticated evening entertainment, consider the Lourdes and Savassi neighborhoods, around Avenida do Contorno. These are home to top restaurants and bars serving local and international food. The drawback to staying here, though, is the uphill climb from the main tourist destinations in the City Center.
Its central location, elegance, and warmth place this hotel above others in its price range. It's an old but well-maintained hotel with polished hardwood floors, local artworks, and large bathrooms with bathtubs. The Wi-Fi is free and reliable. The rooftop bar, next to the pool, is the perfect spot for an afternoon drink. Rooms at the front of the hotel have balconies overlooking the avenue and rooms on higher floors are quieter.
A neat and comfortable budget option, the Ibis has spacious rooms with white oak furniture and large beds. It has all the modern amenities and its staff is well trained and professional. The hotel, which hosts numerous conventions, is in the backyard of an old mansion that has been well maintained, and is close to the Praça da Liberdade and the city's best museums.
