Essenza Dune

The Stone Arch at Jericoacoara in northeast Brazil

Picture this: you wake up in your sleek, stylish hotel room. Opening the curtains, you step out onto the patio, greeted by vistas of alabaster dunes and swaying sea grass. As the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, you step into the aquamarine waters of your private pool for an early-morning, before-breakfast swim. Life is good.

That sort of dreamy scenario is exactly what awaits guests at Essenza Dune. This sleek, modernist property on Brazil’s northeastern coast sits on the edge of the town of Jericoacoara, facing the Atlantic. Here, it’s all about location, location, location. Not only does the hotel get front-row views of the town’s famous Sunset Dune where locals flock to watch each evening’s dazzling, end-of-day display, but the town itself is set in the heart of Jericoacoara National Park. Spanning nearly 22,000 acres, the park encompasses some of Brazil’s most breathtaking coastal scenery, including sand dunes, desert oases, and the crystal-clear waters and dramatic rock formations of Jericoacoara Beach.

Some of the 14 suites at the hotel face the dunes of the national park, while the others look toward the ocean. Awash in gray and neutral tones, the contemporary-styled rooms provide a soothing contrast to the bright, sun-splashed landscapes outside. But the best part is that each has its own exclusive balcony or patio area, complete with a modular pool. You don’t even need to leave the pool for meals; call in for floating tray service and enjoy brunch cocktails and fresh-cut fruit served right to you in the pool.

When not soaking up rays and views from your patio-and-pool paradise, indulge in the hotel’s other delights like coastal Brazilian fare and spa treatments. Venture out into the national park to swim in sand-dune lagoons and trek across sandy summits. Stroll the sandy stretches of Jericoacoara Beach, peeking into coastal caves and grabbing photos at rocky arches along its more rugged sections. Finally, as the day winds down, join the locals on the Sunset Dune for a spectacular show, before making the 10-minute walk back to your room.