Brazil's Quiet Side

Three fantastic hotels are luring travellers away from the beach and into the mountains.

- Catesby Holmes

Though last year’s Olympic Games prompted a wave of interest in Brazil, most travellers still stick to a fairly standard itinerary. But there’s more to the country than its famous coastline and cosmopolitan cities. Those willing to venture just a few hours (and many winding miles) inland from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo will discover a whole other side to this oft-pigeonholed South American nation—a lush, mountainous region of cloud-obscured peaks , cow-dotted pastureland, and pockets of the ancient Atlantic Forest.

In this scenic setting, three quietly ambitious hotels are cultivating a stylish new vision of Brazilian turismo rural—going beyond the dude-ranch style experience with high-end amenities, farm-to-table dining, and luxury-minded nature excursions. Sylvan charm is a common factor, but delve a little deeper and each property has a distinct personality, so travellers of every stripe can find what they’re after. With the dollar going further than ever here, escaping the beaten path is remarkably affordable. And bucolic as they are, inland Brazil’s hotels aren’t just detours—check in and you’ll find they’re worthy destinations all on their own.

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