Why we like it
- A beautiful guest house in an 18th century restored mansion
- Located in the historic colonial town of Paraty, midway between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
- Bright and colourful rooms have wide windows and sweeping balconies
- Delicious cuisine with flexible dining options, with tapas during the day and cakes and pastries served (on the house) at tea time
- Fantastic hiking through tropical rainforest to hidden waterfalls
About Casa Turquesa
Casa Turquesa is a serene guesthouse in a restored 18th century mansion that has enjoyed a facelift thanks to dedicated owner, Sao Paolo-born Teresa. It’s the perfect antidote to Paraty’s buzzy, carnival atmosphere, with snow-white bedrooms, Portuguese-inspired blue doors and relaxing courtyard (not to mention the gorgeous plunge pool). Great attention to detail has been paid to the design and both communal rooms and guest rooms are immaculate – you’ll be given flip flops to wear around the hotel to preserve the calm and clean environment.
Each of the suites is named after a different colour, so expect to see pops of turquoise, pink etc in your room, depending on which colour you get. The Luxury Suites are gorgeous, with all the bells and whistles, while the Master Suites are well worth splashing out on, with Jacuzzi tubs and Juliette balconies overlooking the sea. It’s not at all clinical despite the abundance of white, so expect rattan, bold stripes and little paintings here and there. Breakfast is a lavish affair (yes, there are custard tarts) and you can order snacky items during the day, but there’s no restaurant – part of Paraty’s charm is eating out. Instead, fill up on complimentary cakes and pastries for afternoon tea.