25 Best Hotels in Salvador and the Bahia Coast, Brazil

This resort should be your choice if you're looking for a beachfront hotel offering ample activities for kids, plus a gorgeous beach complete with natural pools. You can sail, windsurf, and dive; classes are offered for beginners. A water park next to the resort has many pools, waterslides, and water games to keep children and adults entertained for the whole day.

A longtime favorite among business travelers and families due to its close proximity to the airport and extensive facilities—including direct access onto the beautiful Itapuã Beach—this resort hotel could do with an overhaul. Lackluster decor aside, the hotel's tropical gardens remain well kept, the rooms are spacious and come with their own private terraces, and there is a large pool area for children. Make sure you opt for Catussaba Resort rather than its sister hotel, Catussaba Business, which is set a few blocks back from the beach.

One of the first hotels to open after the creation of the national park, Canto das Águas remains one of the most comfortable places to stay in Lençóis, with spacious rooms overlooking the river and stone archways opening to a garden and large swimming pool that frames the main building. Most rooms come with balconies and are equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and wireless Internet. Alongside a pool bar that's open throughout the day, the hotel's acclaimed restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and a daily tea—opt for one of the tables on the veranda to soak up the view.

A long-standing favorite in the Rio Vermelho district, this quirky 19th-century mansion is full of character, offering friendly service, delicious breakfasts, and small but comfortable rooms. If you're looking for space, ask for one of the six split-level suites. Extra attention is devoted to the decor, which includes pottery and embroidery from local artisans, although certain details, such as the air-conditioning units and mattresses, could do with an update. There is one wheelchair-accessible room for guests with disabilities, unusual for a small hotel.

In the bohemian district of Rio Vermelho, this reliable hotel combines sleek, modern design, quality service, and a stunning rooftop infinity pool a short distance from some of the city's most happening bars and restaurants. Rising above a rocky section of sand, most of the rooms have a sea view, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Alongside on-site conference and meeting rooms and a self-service business center, the hotel can arrange mobile-phone hire and translation/interpretation assistance for business travelers. Though the beach is not the best for swimming, there's another option for guests: the hotel's large infinity pool proves a focal point for travelers and businesspeople to unwind over caju caipiroskas. The Casarão restaurant has tables on a deck overlooking the ocean.

Overlooking Lençóis—west-facing accommodations have magnificent views of the forest-covered river valley—this distinctive hotel has a Portuguese-tile roof and stone facade. The stone-and-wood rooms and suites are the most luxurious choice in the region, and guests have access to a swimming pool, basic gym, and sauna. Many of the rooms accommodate up to three or four people, with private bungalows for families.

If you're seeking a home away from home, look no further than this simple pousada's clean, spacious, white-walled rooms, where the English-speaking owners will entertain you with tales of the history of the Chapada. The hearty breakfast will reveal the origin of the inn's name, Jelly House—dozens of homemade jams and jellys that include regional fruits such as umbú, seriguela, and cajú are featured with your morning fare. The owner, Zé Carlos, is a bird-watching enthusiast and has escorted tourists and biologists on tours of the Chapada.

From Brazilian actresses to professors, the list of returning customers to this charming, Italian-style pensione is as varied as the legendary breakfast, served amongst tropical plants on the sun-drenched veranda to spectacular views over the bay. The property opened more than 20 years ago, and while some areas could do with a lick of paint, the pousada's heart and soul shines through, with local art lining the walls. Simple rooms, divided between two colonial houses, are eclectic in character. The veranda in No. 11 proved romantic enough even for Ricky Martin, who filmed a music video here. For fabulous sea views, request No. 1. All rooms except one come with a private bathroom.

This pleasant B&B a few steps from Barra Beach wins over independent travelers, couples, and families alike with its competitive prices and Mediterranean-style design. While the breakfasts are on the basic side, rooms come equipped with comfortable beds, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi. Light sleepers should avoid rooms closest to the kitchen, while groups will find the best value in the master suite, complete with two bedrooms and a private terrace. Charming Irish owner Sean and his small team of English-speaking staff are on hand to provide local tips and advice on how best to navigate the bus system.

This well-run pousada 50 meters back from Boca da Barra Beach ticks all the boxes for those looking to kick back in paradise on a budget: simple, spacious rooms, a tropical garden complete with giant hammocks, and a lavish, homemade breakfast that changes daily. American owner Charles will organize trips around the island, while brother Mark takes control of the kitchen, which is open to the pubic six nights a week—don't miss the lobster with coconut and corn, gumbo soup, or the homemade brownies.

Relax in a hammock and contemplate the sea from your private veranda at this chic five-star beachfront resort and wellness center. You'll be within walking distance of the village in case you need more action, but there's a full roster of activities available, including horseback riding, volleyball, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling. All rooms face the ocean, and a large part of the grounds still has the original Atlantic Forest vegetation that once covered the region.

On an island with a giant coconut grove, this grande dame of Brazilian beach resorts remains a favorite choice for families with kids, golf lovers, and water-sport fanatics. The best accommodations are the beachfront bungalows—each has a balcony and a hammock. The many activities include fishing, tennis, paddleboarding, jet-skiing, and other water sports. The hotel, 70 km (43 miles) south of Ilhéus, has its own airstrip for guests who arrive by private plane.

This sprawling, luxury ecoresort sits among 100 hectares (250 acres) of coconut groves on one of the region's most beautiful beaches and has delightful facilities, including a hilltop spa with views over the ocean and virgin Mata Atlântica rain forest. Each of the 38 stand-alone bungalows faces directly on to the beach, where from December to March guests can take part in the baby-turtle conservation project organized by the hotel. There are three swimming pools, a beach bar, and a gourmet restaurant specializing in fresh Bahian seafood.