Villa Bahia

Tucked away in the center of Salvador’s historic Pelourinho district, Villa Bahia captures the essence of Salvador’s colonial charm and bottles it into a lovely boutique hotel. Spread across two restored colonial mansions and helmed by hospitable French owners, this 17-room gem invites guests to step back in time into Bahia’s colorful, multi-ethnic history and experience a wholly unique living experience brimming with character in the heart of Salvador.

Property Details

Nestled in the historic quarter of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Salvador, Villa Bahia resides within two adjoining 17^th and 18^th century colonial homes, remnants of the Portuguese era. Each of the 17 rooms is individually styled to reflect a particular port of call that once lined the spice route from Portugal to Brazil, with African, Asian, and European styles blending together to create a wholly authentic local atmosphere. Luminous and romantic, each room is different: some have antique four-poster beds, some claw-footed baths with original brass hardware, others turret-like balconies overlooking the bustling square of Terroir de Jesus or the Igreja de São Francisco next door. Native wood furnishings, handcrafted Brazilian crafts, painted shutters, and colorful fabrics reflective of the Brazil’s singular vibrancy run throughout and only enhance the magical characters of the rooms.

Stays at Villa Bahia are especially memorable because of Bruno Guinard, the hotel’s French host who has called Bahia home for 30 years. His passion for all things local and sustainable eco-sensitive practices lend to Villa Bahia’s hominess, while the two garden courtyards, refreshing plunge pool, and panoramic rooftop terrace promise moments of calm and conviviality. Cooling fountains, hammocks framed by brightly hued walls, white palettes dripping with vegetation—the bygone atmosphere of Villa Bahia is something out of travel journal and a rare sight in the Pelourinho neighborhood. Another rarity at Villa Bahia is the hotel’s restaurant, one of the city’s finest gourmet establishments, which specializes in first-class French-styled Bahian dishes. The richness of local flavors come to life through lavish breakfast spreads of plantain fritters, fresh fruit of every shape and size, and some of the best coffee in the world, all served in the leafy courtyard patio. Lunch and dinner follow suit, with starters of freshly caught oysters, mains of risotto and filet mignon, and desserts of clafoutis and chocolate drizzled passion fruit.

Villa Bahia enjoys a wonderful location right in the heart of the historic UNESCO designated district of Pelourinho, next door to the Igreja de São Francisco, Salvador’s most impressive church, and just steps away from the Jorge Amado Museum and the Praca da Se square. From the front door of Villa Bahia, one can wander through Pelourinho’s cobblestone streets past elaborate baroque churches and brightly painted manor houses, sample Bahian street food, and participate in a traditional Capoeira percussion class. A city that sings, Salvador is renowned for its musicians, who often flock to the candy-colored colonial squares and streets to perform their life’s true love of music.