MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel

MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel

A boutique hideaway located in the charming Santa Teresa neighborhood, Santa Teresa Hotel is our top pick for an off-beach accommodation in Rio de Janeiro. Gated, obscured by tall walls, and shrouded by mature palms and fruit trees, the property feels like a secret garden sanctuary within Rio. 

The hotel owes much of its charm to its rustic, farmhouse bones—it’s housed within a former coffee finca that dates back to the 1850s—while interior stylings give guests the feeling they’re staying in a friend’s trendy, upscale apartment. 

Sweeping city views, an open-air pool, tropical gardens, Franco-Brazilian dining, and warm, multi-lingual hospitality make Hotel Santa Theresa one of Rio de Janeiro’s best luxury hotels. But don’t take our word for it—the property is no stranger to hosting celebrities and socialites.  

We also appreciate the hotel’s ever-evolving programming. From artist collaborations to gastronomic events (a ceviche bar!) to seasonal feature spa treatments, there’s always something fresh and enlivening going on.   

MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel Accommodations

There are 42 rooms and suites at Santa Teresa Hotel, and each is equipped with a king-size bed, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a mini bar, a Nespresso machine, 300-thread-count bedlinens, and a safe. Spaces are bright and airy, incorporating organic materials such as raw cotton, flax, coconut fiber, and tropical timbers. Views look upon the neighborhood or the gardens. Upgraded rooms have a balcony with a hammock, while a collection of Design Loft Suites individually boasts unique decor and furnishings.  

A 1,722-square-foot Royal Suite calls out to honeymooners with its lofty balcony, living room, and views of Christ the Redeemer and Guanabara Bay.  

MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel Amenities

There is comfortable sofa and armchair seating in the lobby lounge. Soaring ceilings, limewash walls, a brick feature wall, and glowy lighting give it a loft-like atmosphere.  

But hands down, the “it” place to congregate is around the pool. Handsome black-and-white striped loungers are outdoor living eye candy, and the pool’s blue tiles sparkle like fish scales against the warmth of the hardwood timber decking. Adjacent pergolas offer shade to diners on the terrace of the Pool Lounge. (Access is exclusive to guests.) Come for a swim, soak in the hot tub, or imbibe sunset views of the city and bay. Backlit by string lights, lamps, and city lights, the setting is just as ambient after dark.  

Santa Teresa Hotel also has an excellent, well-reputed spa—Le Spa—specializing in massage, facials, and signature treatments using botanicals and essential oils. A dual treatment room handily accommodates couples’ treatments.   

Dining at MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel

Heavy stone-and-brick arches, red and white checkerboard tile, and canopied day beds set a dramatic scene at Bar Dos Descasados—Santa Teresa Hotel’s moody terrace bar. Settle in and then peruse the expert-crafted cocktail menu. (If you’re wondering why a such romantic hotel has a bar with a name that translates to “The Divorcees,” know that the lounge once served as a watering hole for unmarried singles to mingle at a time when divorce was far less socially acceptable.)  

When your appetite beckons, mosey over to award-winning Térèze. Here, ingredients supplied by local purveyors are prepared and artfully plated with French-Brazilian flair. A generous wine list, intimate atmosphere, and attentive service make for a memorable meal that’s served with complementary views of Guanabara Bay.  

Good to Know:

Santa Teresa is a hillside neighborhood in Brazil‘s Rio de Janeiro. Cobbled streets, artist workshops, galleries, cafés, and shabby-chic independent shops all lend to its bohemian village vibe. Safe, walkable, and leafy, it’s a great alternative for travelers who have previously stayed beachfront and want to experience a different side of Rio.   
There aren’t a lot of bona fide boutique luxury hotels in Rio—and they’re non-existent as a beachside option—which makes Santa Teresa Hotel a true gem.  
Room and suites offer just one bed, making this property better suited to couples and singles than families.