2 Best Hotels in Salvador, Salvador and the Bahia Coast

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The Centro Histórico and the nearby neighborhood of Santo Antonio offer a good selection of places to stay, many of which combine a unique atmosphere with immediate access to the colonial charms of the Pelourinho. Heading south into the Vitória neighborhood along Avenida 7 de Setembro are a number of inexpensive establishments convenient to beaches and sights. In the fashionable Barra neighborhood, many hotels are within walking distance of the beach, while Rio Vermelho is the favored choice of most Brazilians and where the city’s best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs can be found, although it is a 20-minute taxi ride from downtown. High seasons are from December to March and the month of July. For Carnival, reservations must be made months in advance, and prices are substantially higher.

Villa Bahia

$$$$ | Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco 16/18, Salvador, 40020–280, Brazil Fodor's Choice
The most evocative place to stay in town, this boutique hotel combines beautiful design inspired by Salvador’s colorful history and a fabulous restaurant with a privileged location in the heart of the Pelourinho. Run by French hospitality group Voyageurs Du Monde, its 17 rooms (most featuring double-height French doors or private balconies) conjure up the magic of Salvador’s Golden Age, when Brazil’s first capital marked a pivotal point in the Portuguese empire’s trade route to the East. Each room is inspired by one of the former colonies, coupling antiques and original maps with locally sourced, reclaimed wooden furniture: bed down in Goa, and you’ll sleep in an antique maharajah’s litter. Long breakfasts served by ever-smiling staff are taken in a verdant interior courtyard, while the restaurant provides a haven for visitors to Salvador’s historic center, serving sophisticated Brazilian specialties such as palm heart spaghetti with prawns and grilled Pirarucu (Amazonian fresh-water fish) with beetroot carpaccio. Enjoy a perfectly balanced caipirinha in the shadow of the magnificent faded gold spires of the Igreja de São Francisco.

Pros

  • Inspirational experience
  • Fantastic food
  • Personalized service

Cons

  • Can be noisy
  • Small pool
Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco 16/18, Salvador, 40020–280, Brazil
071-3322–4271
Hotel Details
17 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Aram Yami Hotel

$$$$ | Rua Direita de Santo Antonio 132, Salvador, 40301–280, Brazil

This intimate boutique hotel on the outskirts of the Pelourinho—featuring personalized service, beautiful rooms, and a unique design—is a favorite among couples celebrating something special. Owned by architect Juan Piccon Navarro from Barcelona, the vibe is more sleek European with a hint of Bali than rustic Bahian, but the view from the infinity pool over the bustling, deep blue bay of Baía de Todos Santos could be nowhere but Salvador. For families, or couples seeking more privacy, the master suite takes up an entire floor and comes with a second bedroom, private terrace, and plunge pool.

Pros

  • Multilingual staff
  • Privacy

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Street-facing rooms can be noisy
Rua Direita de Santo Antonio 132, Salvador, 40301–280, Brazil
071-3242–9412
Hotel Details
6 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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