Casas Brancas

There is no shortage of charming boutique hotels in Buzios but Casas Brancas is one of our favourite. The property was established in 1974, with only four rooms for adventurers, writers, poets and artists to escape to when Búzios was just a tiny fishing village in the middle of nowhere. It is still owned by the same family and those adventurers, writers, poets and artists still gather and exchange ideas along with a rather more chic Rio crowd.

Buzios has now exploded into a fashionable playground for the rich and famous of Rio and Sao Paulo but this charming property has somehow maintained its original heritage and vision. The atmosphere is warm and friendly with pretty views of the bay from the terraced bar (best enjoyed with a lovingly created caipirina cocktail). Soft, samba music plays in the evening and this is one of those special properties that reminds you at every turn that you are in Brazil and the only thing left is to relax and enjoy it.

A five-minute walk along the waterfront takes you to the main hub of the town and the hotel can also arrange quad bikes to explore further afield, which is how most people get around in Buzios. The town is packed with delightful independent shops and restaurants as well as some stunning coves and seaside taverns to explore. This is a destination for anyone who enjoys being by the sea and chilling on a beach without those being the only two things to do.