Picolo recommends · Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro MGallery
An old mansion high on the Santa Teresa hill, where the garden and pool look down over the centre of Rio and across the bay.
At dusk, the lights of the city come on below the terrace one district at a time, and the bay turns dark beyond them. Up here on the Santa Teresa hill, Rio feels far quieter than it is.
The hotel is set in a converted mansion with gardens and a pool. Outside the gate, the neighbourhood is a tangle of cobbled lanes, studios where artists work and small bars where you can sit for hours.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro MGallery
We chose it for couples who prefer character and calm to beach life. It shows a different Rio, slower and more local, and the evening view is the strongest argument for staying.
Getting to the beaches means a taxi each way, and the hill streets are steep and uneven on foot. If you plan to spend most days on the sand, Copacabana or Ipanema will suit you better.
What you get
- Pool in the garden
- Gardens around the old mansion
- Views over the bay and city centre
- Rooms in a converted mansion
- Taxi to the beaches
A day at Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro MGallery
- Morning
- Breakfast on the terrace with the city waking up below.
- Midday
- A stroll through the cobbled lanes and artists’ studios of Santa Teresa.
- Afternoon
- An hour by the pool in the garden.
- Evening
- A drink as the lights of Rio come on across the bay.
Location
Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Open in MapsQuestions about Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro MGallery
How far is Santa Teresa Hotel MGallery from the beach?
The beaches are a taxi ride away, as the hotel sits on a hill above the centre. Plan for a car each way rather than walking.
Is Santa Teresa Hotel MGallery good for couples?
Yes. The gardens, the pool and the quiet setting suit couples looking for a romantic stay away from the beach crowds.
What is there to do near Santa Teresa Hotel MGallery?
The neighbourhood has cobbled streets, artists’ studios and small bars, all easy to explore on foot from the hotel.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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