very small hotels

Cabanas in the colours of jelly beans line the streets and piazzas of this bohemian Brazilian village and you will find that Casas da Vila Trancoso is pleasantly frayed around the edges.

Whatever the reason, a little blue bungalow close to the beach, with hardly any windows and everything scuffed enough to put your feet on can only be good for the heart.

Clapboard shutters on the windows and doors open up to a leafy garden and private pool and allow balmy breezes to float through the interior of each homes is a mix of the rustic and the artistic, with decorative elements like an antique mirror and dressmaker’s dummy adding a touch of vintage elegance.

A mix of local art and craft blends with colourful antiques and elements of whimsy.

Casas da Vila is a wonderful choice for honeymooners,  couples or a private group  who are interested in seeing a side of Brazil that remains invisible to most tourists.

Located on the edge of the Atlantic Rainforest on a coffee farm high in the coastal mountains, Fazenda Brazil brings together the history, culture, and beauty of the country in one small hotel. The main house is a traditional 1850′s colonial estate, while guests stay in 5 small villas around the property for a more exclusive experience. Each villa has its own aesthetic and charm.

As Fazenda Brazil is a working farm (Fazenda refers to the coffee plantations that spread across the interior of Brazil in the second half of the 19th century), meals are a large part of guest experience. The hotel prepares traditional meals from organic produce grown right in the backyard. You can enjoy fresh milk, cheese, and fruit pies for breakfast while the evening brings organic caipirinha – the national drink of Brazil – before dinner.

Guests have the choice between staying in a double/twin room or suite in the main building, or in one of 5 private villas on the property. See Notes in Info/Rates section for specific details.

There is no TV, cell phone service, or internet access at Fazenda Brazil, ensuring total tranquility. No wonder the hotel is often used as a residency setting for international artists! However, the area offers plenty of activites and no 2 days are alike at Fazenda Brazil. Choose from hiking, rafting, horse back riding, fishing, swimming, or just relaxing on the farm.

Charming Pousada overlooks a peaceful bay at the heart of the Natural Park of Serra do Mar, the tropical coastal forest running between Rio and São Paulo, about half an hour’s drive south of Paraty. It is the only charming hotel in a 30km radius. It faces the sea and a 3 km-long protected sandy beach.

The hotel offers 10 comfortable rooms all opening onto the natural surroundings and the sea, including a dream honeymoon suite with en-suite jacuzzi and a breathtaking view of the ocean. The local road stops at the beach and one has to walk the last 250m to the hotel, nestled in the forest.

A large spring-water swimming pool is set in a tropical garden designed by a Sao Paulo landscape architect using local species of plants. The pool bar offers tropical juices and snacks during the day and cocktails at night. A large deck offers panoramic views of the bay.

The hotel has a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner for guests made from organic, local specialities raised and grown at Charming Pousada’s own farm.

When you stay at Charming Pousada, you will be enveloped by the beauty of Paraty. The interior decor is a blend of Portguguese colonial architecture and primitive Amazonian Indian crafts. There are no telephones, televisions, or internet in the rooms, preserving the natural sights and sounds of the wind through the tropical trees and the waves lapping the shore.