The upper-middle-range Mar Brasil is modern (having been updated in 2010), clean, and comfortable, directly across from the beach and 15 minutes south by car from the airport. It is one of Salvador’s best value hotels but not terribly convenient for travelers wanting to explore the historic downtown area, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Still, as former home to poet Vinicius de Moraes, the place has culture and character. The 66 rooms are immaculate and breezy, and there’s also a meeting area for business functions and two swimming pools to appease families and traveling couples wanting a safe and relaxing retreat.
The upper-middle-range Mar Brasil is modern (having been updated in 2010), clean, and comfortable, directly across from the beach and 15 minutes south by car from the airport. It is one of Salvador’s best value hotels but not terribly convenient for travelers wanting to explore the historic downtown area, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Still, as former home to poet Vinicius de Moraes, the place has culture and character. The 66 rooms are immaculate and breezy, and there’s also a meeting area for business functions and two swimming pools to appease families and traveling couples wanting a safe and relaxing retreat.
With the 224-room Hotel Vila Galé Salvador located directly by the water, guests lounging by the pool or getting a massage will regularly hear sounds of the Atlantic crashing on the rocks below. The Vila Galé is one of Salvador’s best options for couples and business guests alike, with the property 15 minutes south by car from the city’s historic district. Although the beach below the hotel is not safe for swimming or walking, there are several bars and restaurants nearby. Taxi rides to most city and beach attractions are quick and affordable.
With the 224-room Hotel Vila Galé Salvador located directly by the water, guests lounging by the pool or getting a massage will regularly hear sounds of the Atlantic crashing on the rocks below. The Vila Galé is one of Salvador’s best options for couples and business guests alike, with the property 15 minutes south by car from the city’s historic district. Although the beach below the hotel is not safe for swimming or walking, there are several bars and restaurants nearby. Taxi rides to most city and beach attractions are quick and affordable.
Part of the Sol Express hotel chain, Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort is a large facility with 334 rooms. Although it has a small business center, it is best suited for visiting families whose first priority is to relax on the beach. Located directly on Stella Maris, one of Salvador’s most scenic (and safest to walk) beaches, the hotel is a bit more than 10 minutes from the airport but about 30 from Salvador’s historic center. Besides walking on the beach, getting anywhere requires a drive or taxi ride. Popular among the locals, the hotel can become rather noisy during high season, but with a large pool and game room, it’s ideal for families and children.
Part of the Sol Express hotel chain, Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort is a large facility with 334 rooms. Although it has a small business center, it is best suited for visiting families whose first priority is to relax on the beach. Located directly on Stella Maris, one of Salvador’s most scenic (and safest to walk) beaches, the hotel is a bit more than 10 minutes from the airport but about 30 from Salvador’s historic center. Besides walking on the beach, getting anywhere requires a drive or taxi ride. Popular among the locals, the hotel can become rather noisy during high season, but with a large pool and game room, it’s ideal for families and children.
Ocean views are the highlight at the 174-room Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho -- a three-pearl hotel in Salvador’s tourist-friendly Rio Vermelho neighborhood. Ocean-facing features include an outdoor pool, international restaurant, and fitness center. Though the hotel is designed to make the most of its seafront setting, guests expecting to step out onto soft sands or go swimming will be disappointed as the Mercure fronts a rocky outcrop and is a 10-minute walk from sandy part of Buracao Beach. Plain rooms are typical of a mid-range hotel, and feature amenities like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. As part of the Mercure brand, this is a reliable option with no nasty surprises; through families may prefer the Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort which has features geared toward children.
Ocean views are the highlight at the 174-room Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho -- a three-pearl hotel in Salvador’s tourist-friendly Rio Vermelho neighborhood. Ocean-facing features include an outdoor pool, international restaurant, and fitness center. Though the hotel is designed to make the most of its seafront setting, guests expecting to step out onto soft sands or go swimming will be disappointed as the Mercure fronts a rocky outcrop and is a 10-minute walk from sandy part of Buracao Beach. Plain rooms are typical of a mid-range hotel, and feature amenities like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. As part of the Mercure brand, this is a reliable option with no nasty surprises; through families may prefer the Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort which has features geared toward children.
Catussaba Resort Hotel is a traditional three-pearl property fronting Itapua Beach, a 30-minute drive from Salvador’s historic district. The highlight here is the tropical beachfront garden, where there are four interlinking pools and four tennis courts. Other notable features include two restaurants, a lounge bar, and a fitness center. The 256 rooms are simple and clean, with amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies, but Wi-Fi is spotty. While this mid-range hotel is good value, there are some real issues, like the tired and soulless decor -- a renovation is long overdue -- and safety concerns on the beach. Alternatively, tourists should compare rates at Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort, which is located on one of the region’s safest and most peaceful beaches.
Catussaba Resort Hotel is a traditional three-pearl property fronting Itapua Beach, a 30-minute drive from Salvador’s historic district. The highlight here is the tropical beachfront garden, where there are four interlinking pools and four tennis courts. Other notable features include two restaurants, a lounge bar, and a fitness center. The 256 rooms are simple and clean, with amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies, but Wi-Fi is spotty. While this mid-range hotel is good value, there are some real issues, like the tired and soulless decor -- a renovation is long overdue -- and safety concerns on the beach. Alternatively, tourists should compare rates at Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort, which is located on one of the region’s safest and most peaceful beaches.
Given Salvador’s dearth of high-end hotels, the Aram Yami is small but comfortable, rustic but bright and classy, replete with a refreshing pool and fresh breakfasts of warm baked goods and tropical fruit. The property is also within a 15-minute walk of the main square in Bahia's historic center and offers sweeping views of the harbor. Though lacking an on-site restaurant and spa, this boutique venue is one of the loveliest hotel options in the city, particularly for couples wanting to explore the area and have a romantic retreat.
Given Salvador’s dearth of high-end hotels, the Aram Yami is small but comfortable, rustic but bright and classy, replete with a refreshing pool and fresh breakfasts of warm baked goods and tropical fruit. The property is also within a 15-minute walk of the main square in Bahia's historic center and offers sweeping views of the harbor. Though lacking an on-site restaurant and spa, this boutique venue is one of the loveliest hotel options in the city, particularly for couples wanting to explore the area and have a romantic retreat.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Casa do Amarelindo is a beautifully restored boutique gem in the historic center of Salvador, set amid colorful colonial buildings. This charming three-and-a-half-pearl property looks out over All Saints Bay, and its small rooftop pool is a rarity in Pelourinho. Other notable features include a traditional restaurant serving up home-style fare and a tropical garden bar. The 10 rooms are simple and stylish, with African-colonial decor and amenities like air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines. The French owners live on-site, making things feel even more familial. This is a hotel for tourist couples and solo travelers; children under 14 aren't permitted. Downsides? The hotel can be tricky to find and there’s no parking. For a similar experience, travelers could check out the six-room Aram Yami Hotel.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Casa do Amarelindo is a beautifully restored boutique gem in the historic center of Salvador, set amid colorful colonial buildings. This charming three-and-a-half-pearl property looks out over All Saints Bay, and its small rooftop pool is a rarity in Pelourinho. Other notable features include a traditional restaurant serving up home-style fare and a tropical garden bar. The 10 rooms are simple and stylish, with African-colonial decor and amenities like air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines. The French owners live on-site, making things feel even more familial. This is a hotel for tourist couples and solo travelers; children under 14 aren't permitted. Downsides? The hotel can be tricky to find and there’s no parking. For a similar experience, travelers could check out the six-room Aram Yami Hotel.
The 206-room Hotel Deville Prime Salvador is an upscale hotel located close to the beach in Itapua and about a 15-minute drive from the airport. However, it's at least 45 minutes from Salvador's city center and the Pelourinho district. Rooms are spacious and modern, and feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Those on upper floors have balconies with nice views of the sea. A restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet, and there are bars in the lobby and by the huge outdoor pool. The fitness center is well-equipped, and there's indoor and outdoor recreation plus corporate event space. Travelers preferring to be right on the beach could check out the Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort instead, which is even closer to the airport.
The 206-room Hotel Deville Prime Salvador is an upscale hotel located close to the beach in Itapua and about a 15-minute drive from the airport. However, it's at least 45 minutes from Salvador's city center and the Pelourinho district. Rooms are spacious and modern, and feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Those on upper floors have balconies with nice views of the sea. A restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet, and there are bars in the lobby and by the huge outdoor pool. The fitness center is well-equipped, and there's indoor and outdoor recreation plus corporate event space. Travelers preferring to be right on the beach could check out the Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort instead, which is even closer to the airport.
