4 Best Hotels in Vale dos Vinhedos, The South

Somewhat incongruous with the small-scale, family-run approach to tourism that gives Vale dos Vinhedos its charm, Hotel & Spa do Vinho is a large hotel that boasts spectacular 360-degree views at one of the highest points in the valley. Floral furnishings and laminate floors are a letdown in what are otherwise well-appointed rooms, with king-size beds as standard. For a price, guests can detox in the upscale spa, or stroll down the hill to the Miolo winery, where wine tastings are free for hotel guests.

Hosts Rubens and his wife, Gisele, provide an exuberant welcome at this magical location, which was their weekend home before it became their business. Mad about wine, they’ll happily plot you a course around their favorite wineries, all less than a 15-minute drive away. The pousada comprises a cluster of two-story stone houses wedged into the hillside—two of which are split into two rooms, with three rented whole, complete with kitchen and sitting room. They all have antique furnishings, mod cons, and big windows that are perfect for admiring the sweeping views down the vine-covered valley.

Remote and rustic, this eight-room guesthouse is an old-world gem in a whitewashed 1930s building adjacent to the Don Giovanni winery. A good base from which to explore the wine region, or simply soak up the scenery, the accommodations here are simple, spacious, and comfortable, with faded furniture and stunning views, though the minimal service (with no staff on-site for parts of the day and in the evening) can make even the most basic requests a logistical challenge. To eat out, there are limited options within driving distance, though you can book ahead to dine in the pousada restaurant, with a set menu ($$$$)—made with homegrown produce—served in an atmospheric basement dining room.