Hotels & Apartments in Salvador, Bahia

Two Americans with solid European connections (one a years-long resident of France, one half-Swedish), 15 to 20 years of experience in Salvador, both competently handling apartment, house and flat rentals, are California natives Alain Zamrini and Daniel Blumenthal:

ZAMRINI RENTALS: Seaside, Carnival, ranging from clean, comfortable & well-organized in all respects to all this in luxurious high-style. Licensed by the State of Bahia for sales.
- See a complete listing of Alain's apartments, with further photos and information, here.
- Or simply fire off an email to alain.zamrini@bahia-online.net!
Daniel Blumenthal PROPERTIES: Impeccable Vacation & Carnival Apartments, well-located, close to beaches, restaurants, and shopping. Flat & House Rentals. Licensed by the State of Bahia for sales.
- See a complete listing of Daniel's apartments & houses, with further photos and information, here.
- Or simply fire off an email to bluemoon@bahia-online.net!

The city of Salvador was founded in 1549, and what is now referred to as the "Centro Histórico" in the city center was the city's first residential area, a complex of sumptuous homes financed with fortunes made on the sugarcane plantations across the bay. This area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

English artist Charles Butler has established a lovely, immaculate and well-appointed guesthouse in this area with the (unlikely) name of "Hotel Redfish" (from peixe vermelho, red snapper, locally caught and served on Bahia's beaches).

Respite in teeming tropicalia, individual rooms and group bookings

The silently air-conditioned rooms (they also have ceiling fans) are spacious, with the high ceilings native to colonial-period houses. Beds are king-size, the top-floor rooms letting onto roomy terraces with views and deck chairs (the front terrace looks out over the bay), and the second-floor rooms giving onto balconies.

Stone floors, wireless internet access in all rooms (no charge), civilized and comfortable...even the bathrooms are roomy and well-appointed, with gleaming porcelain, fluffy towels, and proper hot water.

Hotel Redfish is an oasis.

More information with respect to and photos of Hotel Redfish here.
Or simply fire off an email to hotelredfish@bahia-online.net!

Hotel Redfish is rated Number 3 of 53 Salvador establishments in the Trip Advisor Popularity Index.

Lodging for Groups! Students and Professionals!

Rooms at the Redfish can be set up as wished (per above) for drastically reduced rates per person in order to accommodate student groups spending time here in Salvador. We will happily offer all assistence in making your stay here a fruitful and productive one, providing contacts, insight, and suggestions as you wish and as we are able.

Group rates for professionals attending congresses and conferences, conventions and seminars, together with a knowledgable hand in all arrangements (transportation, translations, leisure) will cheerfully be quoted: hotelredfish@bahia-online.net

Salvador's "north pole" is comprised of the great beaches (meaning vast stretches of nearly-white palm-lined sand) within Salvador's metropolitan area: Itapoan, Stella Maris, and Flamengo. These beaches start at the Farol (Lighthouse) de Itapoan and move northward, away from the city.

The beach area has a friendly guesthouse -- ENCANTO DE ITAPOAN (that would be: "Enchantment in Itapoan") -- built around not only beaches, but music. The establishment is owned and run by the Rochas, an English/Brazilian couple who understand both Salvador and its culture intimately and who will happily sit down with their guests to explain things. The music connection is the Brazilian half of the couple, a guitar player/singer specializing in bossa nova.

More information with respect to and photos of Encanto de Itapoan here.
Or simply fire off an email to itapoan@bahia-online.net!

Encanto de Itapoan is a Lonely Planet Top Five Author Pick.
Encanto de Itapoan is rated Number 2 of 53 Salvador establishments in the Trip Advisor Popularity Index.

Zelina

Baluarte

Pousada Baluarte est une jolie maison d'hôte situé dans le tranquille quartier de Santo-Antonio en plein coeur du centre historique, a deux pas du "Pelourinho", quartier ou vous trouverez tout type d'animations, restaurants, piano-bar, boutiques, internet-café, téatre, show de musique, de capoeira..., et toute la beautée de l'architecture coloniale.

The Baluarte is an excellent family-type establishment located in the Centro Histórico and owned and operated by Frenchman Jean-Paul and his Brazilian wife Zelina. Jean-Paul is a master craftsman who has personally handled all the work on the house. Zelina likewise prepares the homestyle Brazilian breakfasts, and every pillow and cushion in the place was made by her hand!

Pousada Baluarte is rated Number 4 of 53 Salvador establishments in the Trip Advisor Popularity Index.

Rio de Janeiro

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

The view from Bob's terrace...

Going to Rio? Want to stay in the same place where Quincy Jones, Alan Parker, George Martin (who recorded a part of Rhythm of Life here), and Stephen Frears have all stayed (among numerous other artists of various stripes)? And you're not a millionaire director, producer, or musician (or even if you are)? Well go to Bob Nadkarni's Maze Inn! Double rooms are 100 Brazilian reais per night (like, 40 euros).

Host/Raconteur/Good Guy Bob Nadkarni

Is there a catch? Yes, there is...a very interesting one: The Maze Inn is situated in a favela. This, however, is a very safe favela (Tavares Bastos, in the area of Catete, minutes away from Lapa), and in that the guesthouse is located at the top of a very big hill it has a spectacular view over Rio that absolutely no other lodging establishment in the city has. This is a place like no other in the world!

The Maze Inn's site...
From the Guardian...
From the Telegraph...
* Disclaimer: Bob does not pay me for this blurb, although he plied me with free beer and caipirinhas when I was there.