Villa Paranaguá Hotel & SPA

Stayed here for 3 nights on a family trip and can honestly say we loved it! Great staff, a superb restoration of a historic building obviously done by people with impeccable taste, quirky yet stylish. Location is quiet (hard to do in Rio) and is an oasis in a wonderful crazy city. If I go back to Rio then it would definitely be at the top of the list!

It has been a year since we visited Villa Paranaguá and it still brings up bittersweet memories. A perfectly serene boutique hotel in the Santa Teresa district stripped down to the max. You will find everything you need to spend a few blissful days there without having to leave this place. The pool is perfect, the menu is well assorted, the drinks are delicious, the library is inspiring, the interior design is a delight ..., but the heart of this beautiful place is the people who work there and who have grown so dear to us in a few days that we can no longer forget them. I know that one day there will be a return. And then we will celebrate that.

-very ackward and uncomfartable place. -located in a dark, dangerous area, surrounded with fences with barbed wire. -uber drivers refusing to take you there because its close to favella. -at night dogs barking will keep you up. -unfriendly and annoying receptionist I’ve stayed in so many hotels - this is definetely one of the worst.

Title= HIdden jewel Ever wanted a rich friend with impeccable taste who could put you up in his artfully designed home and allow you to roam lovely gardens with a large pool, a spa where you can hear church bells, and two excellent chefs, one for breakfast and one for dinner? If you ever find such a friend, please let me know. In the meantime, wonder no more what it would feel like because that is exactly the ambience that Villa Paranagua succeeds in creating. Of course, you have to pay but it is worth it because the staff make your wishes come true with not just willingness but with flair. A caipirinha? The best I had in two weeks in Rio. Breakfast, ditto. The house and bedrooms are gorgeously decorated but I dislike places that sacrifice comfort and practicality for design cool and this is not one of them. The attention to detail of the design, the food, the smooth running of the hotel [although it feels wrong to call it a hotel because it genuinely feels so warm that hotel does not do it justice, home is a much better description] is genuinely staggering. This sounds a bit like I have been paid to write the review but genuinely they only improvement I could suggest is some hooks in the bedroom for hats/ coats. So if you want to stay in Santa Teresa, try this home. I am pretty sure you will leave raving about it and feeling like you have finally found those rich friends... Thanks to property owners & staff

If you like small boutique hotels with exceptionally friendly / efficient staff then this is just the place you need for Rio The location is great in terms of being close to Santa Teresa. The hotel itself is exceptional with an excellent pool that has great views and is not overlooked . Small hotel, so no problem getting a lounger. All the staff are extremely efficient, they really get to know you and could not be more helpful. The rooms are great and we also had a free upgrade for the last 2 days of our stay. So good, that I am leaving a review on more than one website!

I cannot express how much we loved Villa Paranaguá ! From the warm welcome to the outstanding design, beautiful décor, art, delicious food, gorgeous rooms (and comfy beds!), stunning views and amazing staff, we loved it all! Never before have I had such an emotional connection to a hotel. Staff were incredible. So much though has gone into this wonderfully restored & renovated villa, it is a credit to the owners and the paradise they have created. The rooms are huge and designed to be luxe and welcoming with beautiful art and amenities. The shared areas, outside and pool are just perfect and have everything you may need. We especially enjoyed the hammocks after a long day exploring. The heated pool was a great touch too as it was slightly cloudy on some days. We used the sauna and spa area which was a great place to relax. They even accommodated us with our late flight by providing the use of the spa shower allowing us to freshen up before departing - very much appreciated. The location is great; on a quiet street but only a 10 minute walk to the 'center' of Santa Teresa - which is hilly but we had no issues with Uber or walking around. Hills = amazing views! Please ignore the handful of 'bad' reviews as we could not have experienced anything in more contrast to what they mentioned. I can only think they are talking about a different hotel! Breakfast was fab - we ate outside and such a variety was provided, the omelette and the homemade yoghurt & granola were our favourites. We have to give a special thanks to the outstanding staff, especially Pablo, Henrique and Dominique who made our stay more than just 'accommodation' but a treasured experience in our trip. Thank you for greeting us like friends, your expert knowledge & recommendations, intellectual conversation, smooth professionalism, fantastic cocktail skills and warm smiles. Nothing was too much trouble.You make this place very special and we departed feeling like old friends. You and Villa Paranaguá stole our hearts and was the most perfect stay for us in Santa Teresa to end our Brazil trip. Thank you !