10 Best Hotels in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais

In a beautiful 19th-century building, this hotel feels like a bed-and-breakfast, with elegant yet comfortable decor, quiet floors, and well-appointed guest rooms. An intimate atmosphere and the world-class Senhora do Rosário restaurant are among the draws. When you're not exploring the town, have a swim in the luxurious hilltop pool or stop by the atrium for afternoon tea. The hotel even has a section of the mine, discovered during renovations, that originally was on this site. Ask for a room on the first floor; rooms by the garden can be noisy and lack privacy.

This intimate hotel in a 1747 merchant's mansion has period furnishings, gorgeous veranda and dining room (where an exceptional mineiran breakfast is served), and one-hour city tours given in a 1930s minibus. It sits next to the Igreja de São Francisco de Assis and opposite the soapstone market. Mondego is part of a Brazil boutique hotel network, so expect the same modern conveniences you'd get at a high-class hotel.

Near a nature preserve and perfect for those who love a walk in the woods, this lodging has clean, modern rooms. The luxury chalets have two floors and granite details. Each can accommodate as many as five people, with a double bed upstairs, single beds downstairs, and two bathrooms. The restaurant serves regional fare.

Designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer and Ouro Preto's premier modernist structure, the Grande is, as its name suggests, one of the city's largest hotels by overall size. It is a curving two-story building on concrete pillars; the hotel is immense by local standards, though room sizes are comparable to those at other lodgings. All the suites have views of the historic center; the other rooms look out on the garden. If you've ever wanted to stay in a piece of art, this is your chance, but don't expect attentive service or modern facilities such as strong Wi-Fi.

Close to the main square, this is a typical mid-range inn with basic rooms. Room 1 has a loft and can sleep up to five people. The breakfast is massive here and staff are very attentive. If you are looking for a practical base at a reasonable price with few luxuries, this is the place.

With dark wooden floors, antique furnishings, and stone walls dating back two centuries, this friendly hotel has the feeling of a rustic 19th-century lodge. Some rooms have original paintings by the famous Minas Gerais artist Chanina, and all are decorated with beautiful replicas of 18th-century furniture. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição is just across the street.

Near the main churches and museums and the prime shopping area, this pousada occupies an elegant house. The breakfast is lavish and delicious, as is the afternoon tea. The most tranquil rooms are in the back, but their views aren't as good. One of the suites has a hydromassage bathtub.

The wonderful Pousada Minas Gerais occupies a new building that replicates Ouro Preto's colonial exteriors. All rooms are enormous, with sweeping views of the countryside, beautiful king-size beds, flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. This is the perfect choice for vacationers seeking amenities like fluffy robes and potent hair dryers, but business travelers will find their needs met, too. Three luxury suites have whirlpool bathtubs.

This pousada's hilltop location at the edge of town is both a blessing and a curse: its location away from noise of the center is great for people seeking a relaxing and quiet stay, but it's not a comfortable location for nocturnal explorations of the city. The rooms are large and comfortable, with large windows and ample fresh air. It's a popular place with families and other groups. For more privacy and peace, opt for a simple but cozy chalet instead of a room in the main building.

The hospitality at this family-run bed-and-breakfast will make you feel as if you're visiting a friend's house. The English- and German-speaking owner, who also lives in the house, serves a delicious breakfast each morning, and guests are given a key to the house so that they can come and go as they please. The five-bedroom inn is decorated in traditional mineira fashion. Its location, a stone's throw from St. Francis of Assisi Church, couldn't be better.