5 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.

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.

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.