36 Best Hotels in The Northeast, Brazil

Named after the seven hills that surround the hotel, 7 Colinas is a sprawling oasis that sits amid the trees and flowers of a tropical estate that once belonged to the São Francisco religious order. Rooms are comfortably furnished and face out onto the garden. The large swimming pool, surrounded by Jabuticaba trees, is a haven on hot days and great for kids. From here it's just a short hike up to Alto da Sé. There is a small museum on the hotel grounds, with furniture from the 19th century.

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.

Overlooking the beach, this luxury hotel has beautiful rooms; friendly, five-star service; and a prime location that makes it a wonderful base for exploring Fortaleza. Sophisticated amenities include comfortable king-size beds, a rooftop pool, and L’Occitane toiletries. While the hotel boasts three decent restaurants, it's also within strolling distance of some of the city’s top bars and restaurants. Helpful bilingual concierges can book you into one of the sophisticated beach clubs nearby, or organize a day trip out of town. Opt for one of the ocean-view rooms to wake up to a view of the sparkling blue sea.

Both the service and decor at this small hotel reflect tremendous attention to detail. The restaurant serves skillfully prepared seafood in a gorgeous pool area that overlooks the beach. The location is ideal, as it's just beyond the crowded portion of Ponta Negra.

A calm oasis tucked away near Praia do Amor, this well-run pousada offers friendly service, charming rooms, and a beautiful swimming pool surrounded by tropical trees. Rooms come with hammocks and air-conditioning, although if you are looking for privacy, request one of the newer rooms on the second floor, which have private balconies. The breakfast buffet is one of the best in town, with endless homemade cakes, yogurts, and granola—the perfect fuel for spending a day surfing or soaking up the sun. Keep an eye out for the little monkeys that hang in the fruit trees, waiting to share your banana.

This beach-chic pousada stands out for its exceptional food and bungalows that open directly onto beautiful beaches. Fresh ingredients sourced from the organic garden and local fisherman are used for the innovative Italian dishes served in the pousada's restaurant, from lobster and avocado carpaccio to shrimp risotto. Special request? The owner can cook pretty much whatever you want, especially for kids. The service and amenities, including plasma TVs, keep this pousada continually booked throughout the year.

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.

The city's smartest business hotel, this glimmering high-rise looks directly over Recife's most popular beach. The sleek, spacious rooms share views of the sea, a neutral design, and modern conveniences such as an in-room iPod doc, plasma TVs, and espresso machines. Enjoy the truly memorable ocean panorama as you soar up to the rooftop terrace and pool in the glass-enclosed elevator; there, alongside plenty of sunbathers, you will find a fully equipped gym, Pilates studio, beauty center, and spa. Visiting businesspeople often drop by to dine at the upmarket Mirage restaurant, while the Brasserie serves a buffet breakfast and a varied á la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

In one of the trendiest parts of Boa Viagem and right across from the beach, this modern hotel has elegantly designed rooms and the sort of smiling, efficient service you would expect from one of Brazil's largest hotel groups. A buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served in the trendy Nabuco restaurant, and there is also an on-site coffee shop that transforms into a Japanese temaki counter in the evening. Gym buffs will love the large workout area and state-of-the-art equipment.

On the outskirts of town, the Caruaru Park's colorful rooms and chalets are sparsely decorated but neat and clean. Balconies have hammocks and decent views of town.

True to its name, which translates as "house on the beach," this intimate pousada opens right onto the sand and has one of the best views in town over the dune. This is a good choice for couples looking to relax over sunset caipirinhas by the pool. For breakfast, the friendly staff serve up freshly cooked tapioca and crepes alongside the usual fresh fruit.

One block from the beach, this small hotel is a great option if you're willing to forgo ocean views and stylish design for a friendly staff and competitive rates. Apart from the elevator, the three-story hotel seems more like a guesthouse. Rooms are well equipped and comfortable. The two small pools help compensate for the lack of sea views.

On a small side street three blocks from the beach, this laid-back hotel offers some of the best value for money in town, with friendly service and a charming rooftop terrace. While some of the rooms are a bit dingy and bathrooms small, all come with comfortable double beds and fridges, and some have small balconies.

With modern rooms, a rooftop pool, two restaurants, and a bar, this stylish hotel is one of the best options in town. The majority of the rooms come with private verandas that overlook Meireles Beach and all have king-size beds. Admire the view during breakfast over endless tropical fruits and strong Brazilian coffee.

In a converted mansion, this pousada has rooms that vary considerably in size, quality, and price; the suites, with hardwood floors, rival those at the best hotels, but the standard rooms are just average. The individually decorated deluxe rooms are considerably nicer. Carnival decorations enliven the lobby—a hint that this pousada is the place to be during the celebrations, when the patio becomes a sort of VIP area from which guests can watch the parade.

A five-minute walk from Boa Viagem Beach, this slightly dated hotel offers spacious rooms that all come with a small, private veranda. While the lobby decor, outdated gym, and '70s-style hotel shops may leave you feeling like you've stepped back in time, the sprawling outdoor pool area, complete with a waterfall and two kiddie pools, pull you back into the present. A new annex offers the most modern rooms.

Set one block back from the beach, these comfortable apartments are perfect for families and visitors in the city for a long stay. Each unit has one or two bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. If you get tired of preparing your own meals, you can head for the restaurant or the coffee shop.

The four-star rooms at this hotel are highly incongruous with the two-star-quality lobby; luckily, prices are more representative of the latter. The small hotel is a block from the beach, with a pool in front. All rooms have balconies; request those with direct sea views, since they cost the same.

The Othon Palace Fortaleza sits on a small hill right where the beach makes a big curve, affording guests a spectacular view of the beach and Mucuripe Bay. There's comfortable seating in the stylish lobby, where a spiral staircase leads up to meeting rooms. Tastefully decorated rooms are more like small suites.

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.

This eclectic pousada is made up of two colonial houses with soaring ceilings; wood and brick details, original artwork, and an indoor garden lend considerable warmth to the cavernous spaces. It's a member of the exclusive Brazilian Roteiros de Charme hotels group. The hotel's restaurant, Flor de Coco, is a highlight; set on a tiered terrace and surrounded by tropical plants; it serves great caipirinhas and regional specialities in a romantic setting.