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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.
On a main city avenue, close to Savassi and not far from central Belo Horizonte, the Mercure is popular with executives, artists, and athletes. The hotel was recently renovated and now has modern, comfortable rooms. The restaurant's menu includes French, Italian, and international dishes. There's also a small café and souvenir shop with items made in Minas Gerais.
A favorite of well-off Brazilian honeymooners, the palatial Ouro Minas has rooms with large beds and well-appointed bathrooms. The largest of the three presidential suites occupies more than 300 square meters (3,229 square feet). Hydromassage bathtubs, CD players, a pool with waterfalls, a menu of 10 different kinds of pillows, and a multilingual staff are among the many amenities not found in most other Belo Horizonte lodgings. Despite its location, farther away fom the center, this hotel is closer to the attractions around Pampulha.
Across from beautiful and exotic Parque Municipal, the Othon Palace has comfortable rooms with incredible city and park views. Despite the slightly dated decor, rooms are large and relaxing. The rooftop pool and bar are among the best in town, and the on-site Restaurante Varandão is very good.
