Santa Catarina
Built bedrock-style literally in and around the rocky cliffside, Rosa's most charming option is a 12-room gem of hospitality in jungly surrounds. Rooms…
Must-see hotels in South America
Goiás
This rather extraordinary compound, run with gentle courtesy, has an elaborate structure of bamboo platforms furnished with comfortable mattresses to…
Rio de Janeiro State
Midway between Petrópolis and Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, this gorgeous family-run hotel has a pool, sauna, tennis court and ample gardens…
São Luís
The Italian owners have achieved a truly gorgeous conversion of this 19th-century mansion. The four big beautiful rooms boast four-poster beds, polished…
Along the Río Paraná
Sumptuously furnished with dark-wood antiques, this wonderfully renovated house is an oasis of relaxation from the unappealing main road. Most rooms…
Santa Cruz
This superbly equipped hostel has a pool, pool table and seriously groovy, air-conditioned rooms, as well as a party atmosphere inspired by its own bar. A…
Ica
This romantic roadside hotel on the outskirts of town inhabits a delightful 200-year-old hacienda that has undeniable rustic charm. Rooms exude a classic…
Islas Uros
Hosts César and Lucy have created a special experience on Islas Uros, and if you wish to deal directly with a Uros family without an agency, this is one…
Cuenca
In a smart and beautifully decorated building on the plaza opposite the market of Mercado 9 de Octubre, flashpackers are catered for as much as…
Chocó
The most luxurious hotel on this beach, El Cantil has six duplex cabins surrounded by papaya plants and coconut palms. The restaurant (famous for its food…
Santa Catarina
The pousada formerly known as Campeche Natur has been split into three inns – Naturezas de Floripa, Verde Natur and Old Beach – all looked after by the…
Salta
You may wonder whether the look of this place – all exposed concrete and urban-trendy design – works in colonial Salta, but its excellent, large and quiet…
Amazon Basin
This is the nicest of several good lodges on the La Merced–San Ramón road: vast peaceful grounds, its own private waterfall trail, large well-appointed…
Lima
The kind of effortlessly beautiful but comfortable old house that instantly feels like home. This Barranco boutique hotel is brimming with style, from the…
South Coast
Not far from the ‘beast’ of Lima’s southern suburbs lies the ‘beauty’ of El Molino, a lovingly tended hotel complex set on the banks of the Río Cañete on…
Inland Patagonia
Set on the remote Lago del Desierto by the Chilean border, this exclusive nature lodge provides a wonderous retreat into a silent lenga forest, with decks…
Bolivia
This really does feel like an oasis, with a lush garden, hammocks and a pretty balcony cafe. The riverside retreat offers grassy campsites, comfortable…
Colonia del Sacramento
At this whimsical guesthouse on Colonia's most historical square, friendly Brazilian photographer Eduardo has poured his creative genius into building a…
Búzios
In a dream location just off Orla Bardot, this 1940s-vintage hillside home is now a sweet pousada, offering six spacious and unique suites with high…
Ollantaytambo
Backed against the ruins, this modern lodge with a sprawling lawn is a real retreat, thanks to the welcoming staff, big breakfasts and the helpful…
Salta & the Andean Northwest
In a visually striking location 13km from Tafí, surrounded by hills great for hiking and horseback riding, this estancia has only the lowing of cattle to…
Pernambuco
Austrian Sebastian and his Brazilian wife, Yolanda, are the hospitality gatekeepers at this signless B&B with just two rooms. It's chock-full of local art…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
This rustic-chic inn in a gated mansion set back from the road has been thoughtfully decorated inside and out. It offers outstanding rooms verging on…
Amazonas
The deluxe lakefront cabins here stand dramatically on 15m stilts, connected by wood walkways, with huge screened windows and private patios. West-facing…
Goiás
Our favorite hostel is owned by a Brazilian-French-American Cirque du Soleil acrobat and run by his sweet mother, who lived in France for two decades. Two…
Punta del Este
Replete with vintage furniture, claw-foot bathtubs and checkerboard marble floors, this magical La Barra getaway features six luxurious high-ceilinged…
Capurganá & Sapzurro
Megapopular Gecko has simple wooden rooms that are great value; smarter options include rooms with air-con and private bathroom. The place is known for…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Rapa Nui's most luxurious establishment, this property blends into a forested patch of volcano-singed countryside. Rooms, all overlooking the Pacific and…
Ollantaytambo
On the train platform, this romantic pit stop exudes Andean charm. Surrounded by green lawns with lush flowerbeds, tasteful tile rooms feature a dark…
Bogotá
A 22-room gem run by an Italian emerald dealer, this discerning option is a serious step up from the sea of hostels surrounding it. Rooms come in seven…
Uruguay
Surrounded by rolling open country 15km upriver from Mercedes, this estancia is one of Uruguay’s oldest and most welcoming. The spacious 1830 ranch house,…
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul
This rustic pousada is in a 100-year-old house with a tranquil, hammock-hung mini-jungle out back and a notable collection of antique radios, record…
Inland Patagonia
Simply lovely, this elegant boutique lodging sits head and shoulders above other hotels. Tasteful decor includes wood accents, warm woolen throws and…
Salvador
This fantastically colorful and homey place is run by professional artists with deep connections to the local music, dance and film community. Musicians…
São Paulo
Sleek, bright and minimalist, Emiliano is the city's best hotel. It's steeped in refined luxury, with local touches such as the lobby's lush suspended…
Northern Patagonia
This smart 10-room hotel pampers with woolen slippers, hand-woven throws and rockers. There's even a swing set for kids. English-speaking owners Francisco…
Ceará
The best place to stay in Redonda, the ten comfortable brick chalets of Oh! Linda Pousada are spread around spacious grounds on the clifftop that include…
Catamarca & La Rioja
There's space to spare at this peaceful but central hotel, which features handsome modern design and bags of facilities. Rooms are more than ample; some…
Salta & Jujuy Provinces
This small hotel, owned by a Salta plastic surgeon, is stylish and comfortable. Rooms are decorated with finesse: ceramic tiled floors, beamed ceilings,…
Punta del Este
Near Punta Ballena, this understatedly luxurious hilltop paradise is eclectically decorated with treasures from the owners’ world travels. The spacious…
