20 Best Hotels in São Paulo, Brazil

With a decor that hints at 1940s modern but is undeniably 21st-century chic, the Hotel Fasano caters to those for whom money is a mere detail. Rooms have Eames chairs, leather headboards, parquet floors, huge windows, and walk-in closets. The restaurant off the lobby with the same name exudes the same deep sense of luxury.

It's hard not see a familiar shape (some say watermelon, some say boat, but neither hits the mark) in the wild but harmonious design of Hotel Unique. Apartments, some with walls that echo the curve of the building's exterior, have plasma TVs with DVD players, mobile phones, king-size beds, and whirlpool baths with remote control, while the pool features a waterslide and submerged hydromassage chairs.

The five-star Tivoli Mofarrej is home to Latin America's largest presidential suite, which costs almost R$30,000 per night and counts the king of Sweden and the king of pop Michael Jackson among past patrons. For those who are more subject than royalty, the 23rd-floor Arôla-Vintetres restaurant reveals regal views of Avenida Paulista.

Techno beats enliven the lobby of this chic business hotel halfway between Paulista and Brooklin, whose rooms have clean lines and dark-wood furnishings that contrast with the bright-white walls and fabrics. Seventy-seven of the apartments can be transformed into offices, their beds folded up and extra tables brought in.

Its ideal location close to important hubs and to Vila Madalena and spacious rooms make Golden Tower Hotel a good choice. The hotel was built in 2001, and all rooms have nonallergenic carpet and sheets, as well as anti-noise windows and modern-looking furniture; the on-site Mediterranean restaurant is good.

The brightest star in Brooklin and the hot spot of the São Paulo business world, this venue is one of three skyscrapers that form an office park loaded with Fortune 500 companies. The Hilton's glass-and-marble lobby looks as cool and professional as the well-dressed staff behaves. The apartments have large workstations, and suites offer separate living rooms for informal meetings. The rooftop pool and gym, complete with jaw-dropping views of the city skyline, are open to all guests.

Near the Congonhas Airport and Ibirapuera Park, the Hotel Grand Mercure São Paulo Ibirapuera is a modern, luxury hotel noted for its French style, and its restaurant serves French cuisine. Dark-wood furniture fills the rooms, many of which have views of the park. It's refreshing to see trees from your window in São Paulo.

Renovated in 2013 and looking fresh, Hotel Pullman São Paulo Ibirapuera brings contemporary design and reasonable prices to the Ibirapuera area. The standard rooms are sleek and simple, but for slightly more than the basic rate you can get one overlooking Ibirapuera Park. The park provides several workout options, but if you prefer to sweat inside, the hotel has a full fitness center.

Directly across the Pinheiros River from the Centro Empresarial office complex, the home of many U.S. companies, Hotel Transamérica São Paulo is a convenient choice for those working in the area. The skylighted lobby—in granite and marble, with Persian carpets, palm trees, leather sofas, and oversize modern paintings—is more impressive than the rooms, with their beige wall-to-wall carpets and floral fabrics, but they're clean, spacious, and quiet.

In the lively Higienópolis neighborhood of apartment buildings, bars, and bookstores abutting Mackenzie University, this hotel has plain, clean rooms with little decoration. The small lobby has a black-and-pink-granite floor, recessed lighting, and leather sofas.

With hotels at both ends of Paulista and other properties in Jardins, Morumbi, and the city center, the Ibis Budget (formerly the Formule 1) is a great choice if you value location and price over luxury. Rooms have been stripped down to what's necessary for a comfortable stay: a TV, a double bed with a single bunked over it, and a small but efficient bathroom. The lobby is always full of groups of young people waiting to embark on an excursion.

One of the best bargains on Avenida Paulista, all rooms at this large hotel feature queen-size beds and contemporary decor, with the focus on function, not beauty. The staff is bright, helpful, and multilingual.

One of the city's most attractive top-tier establishments, the InterContinental consistently receives rave reviews because of the attention paid to every detail, including the pillows (guests choose among six different types). Service is likewise attentive, and both the private and public areas are well appointed. Creams, pastels, and marble come together with seamless sophistication and elegance. The lobby bar stays abuzz.

Compared to the top-of-the line chain hotels on Paulista, L'Hotel PortoBay São Paulo stands out as a truly special experience. Though the famous Parisian hotel of the same name is its declared muse, the luxury here is understated rather than decadent. Rooms are done in soft blue, beige, or rose. The Mediterranean dining room and the English-style piano bar that faces it are twin gems. The top-floor pool has a retractable roof, the Japanese ofuro baths are heated upon request, and every guest gets a pair of brown and gold Havaianas flip-flops.

Once the top choice for luxury accommodations in São Paulo, the Maksoud Plaza must now share the bill with a bevy of high-end hotels; still, its facilities, comfort, and good location make it one of the best choices in the city. The multilingual staff provides professional service, and the restaurants are excellent, drawing big crowds of businesspeople every day at lunch and after work.

Built in 1951 to be the headquarters of one of the main newspapers in the city, the building that now houses this hotel is a landmark in downtown São Paulo and has hosted Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, and Errol Flynn. The huge mural created by Emiliano Di Cavalcanti is one of the attractions remaining from the 1950s. All the rooms and suites were renovated in 2012 and 2013; their decor hovers between Scandinavian and airport lounge (albeit a well-maintained airport lounge).

Marvelously located in the retail-heavy part of the Jardins district and easily navigable both to and from, Pousada Ziláh is not exactly cheap, but might be a more affordable alternative if you're seeking to momentarily escape the skyscraper experience. Once you step inside this former private residence, you might easily forget that you're still at the center of a bustling megalopolis.

In case the rooftop helipad doesn't say it all, the striking lines of the red-and-black granite lobby announce one serious business hotel. The fitness center is among the largest in Latin America, complemented by a juice bar/cybercafé. On weekends there's dancing at the Havana cigar bar and even a play at the hotel's own theater. Those staying in suites have use of the executive lounge and an array of ultraluxurious services.

Expect no frills at this budget hotel in a lively neighborhood close to Avenida Paulista—rooms are small (though there are some larger suites), but have all the basics and are clean, and the rates are unbeatable for this part of town.

Tucked imperceptibly among stately apartment buildings in one of the city's oldest and most attractive residential neighborhoods, this hotel built in 2000 has bright and spacious rooms with contemporary light-wood furnishings. Rooms on the 24-story building's upper floors have fine city views.