12 Best Hotels in The Northeast, Brazil

Brazil's first eco-design resort, this remarkable property provides high-end luxury while maintaining its dedication to the preservation of nature and the local culture. Walls are plastered in gray mud rather than paint, paper bags replace plastic, and sink basins are carved from fallen trees. Many of the private bungalows have individual access to the deserted, white-sand beach and secluded dipping pools. Lounge by the infinity pool in the blazing sun before exploring the hotel's impressive spa. Gourmet Portuguese classics are served in the stunning dining room, with eucalyptus trunks rising up from the floor below, or under the stars on the rooftop terrace.

One of the first properties to open in Praia da Pipa and a pioneer of the eco-hotel movement in Brazil, this luxury retreat remains the best in the area. Constructed from reclaimed local wood, the colonial-style bungalows are spread over 25,000 square meters of lush tropical forest, ensuring that your afternoon siestas will be interrupted only by soft breezes and the chirping of the birds. Combine this with two ionized swimming pools and a gourmet restaurant renowned for its exceptional homemade breakfasts, and you may find it hard to drag youself to the beach.

This attractive accomodation manages to avoid some of the problems associated with massive resort complexes: its beige color allows it to blend into its sandy surroundings, rooms have original artwork and other strokes of personality, and personalized service makes you feel like more than just a number. An on-site water park comes with three separate swimming pools.

Perched on a deserted white-sand beach, this pousada is a contender for Brazil's most tranquil place to unwind. The nine simple yet sophisticated bungalows come with comfortable beds, double hammocks for two, and hot water provided by solar panels. Some come equipped with Japanese ofuro tubs, while others can host up to four people. The excellent restaurant serves fresh seafood, organic salads, and Brazilian classics with a healthy twist. Rates include breakfast and either lunch or dinner in the restaurant.

Resembling tropical tree houses constructed from reclaimed wood, this eco-pousada's comfortable bungalows were designed with couples in mind. Tropical flowers are strewn across the beds, and the fantastic buffet breakfast is served until 5 pm. The pousada is an easy 15-minute walk to Praia do Conceição. The in-house gourmet restaurant is one of the island's top spots for dining.

Out of the many upmarket pousadas that have opened in Jericoacoara in the last five years, Vila Kalango stands above the crowd with its private bungalows propped on stilts. The style may be rustic, but the quality of service and amenities like 600-count Egyptian cotton sheets provide an extra bit of luxury. Live music is occasionally played around the crimson swimming pool, and the hotel can organize windsurfing and kitesurfing programs with English-speaking professionals and offer complimentary daily transfers to Praia do Prea, one of the top kitesurfing spots.

This spacious, modern hotel is a favorite among both businesspeople and families for its comfortable facilities and professional service. The large rooms are the principal draw, all of which come with comfy king-size beds and modern bathrooms; request one with a veranda that overlooks the ocean. There is a long outdoor pool, ideal for swimming laps, as well as a small gym and sauna. Breakfast is served on the ground floor next to the lobby, which is always packed. Rates tend to drop on the weekends.