Insolito Boutique Hotel

Each of the twenty rooms at this beachfront boutique hotel in Buzios carries a quietly Brazilian theme, suggested by a hand-painted headboard or a ceramic pot rather than anything that hits you over the head. The design otherwise runs contemporary and precise, wooden sofas that look like museum pieces, recycled rubber carpets, and carefully calibrated lighting. Rio glitterati make the three-hour drive for the sea-facing pools and French-Brazilian dinners eaten, naturally, in white linen.