Casa Turquesa

Brazil’s boutique hotel scene has been expanding exponentially, and it’s not hard to see why. Just on the coast alone there are any number of locations that would make an ideal setting for a stylish little getaway, among them Paraty, an old Portuguese imperial town on the Costa Verde, to the west of Rio. This is where you’ll find the Casa Turquesa, a boutique hotel that’s stylish, yet still inviting, and as intimate as can be.

Any questions about the name are settled upon arrival — turquesa is Portuguese for turquoise, a hue that’s on display everywhere, from the building’s trim to its interior accents to the floor of the swimming pool (not to mention the clear Atlantic sky).

The public spaces are charmingly rustic, with rough stone walls and plenty of Brazilian hardwood. The rooms, by contrast, are simpler, more soothing, whites and off-whites prevailing against floors and furnishings of dark wood. The impression is a low-tech, down-to-earth one, albeit equipped with Smart TV screens and air conditioning. But what you’ll remember are the beds, the linens, the mosquito nets, and the extremely laid-back atmosphere of the place.

Top suites come with jacuzzis, while everyone shares a central plunge pool, as well as a garden, a bar, a wine cellar and a gazebo. From there you’re on your own to discover the charms of Paraty, still steeped in the promise of the Portuguese empire.

Travel advisory: Passport and visa requirements differ from country to country. Please check with your local authority before booking.

How to get there: Casa Turquesa is a four hours drive from Rio de Janeiro and a four and half hours drive from São Paulo. Private airport transfers can be arranged from BRL 1300 for up to 2 guests, each way.