Recife, Brazil is located in the north east of the country and is the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco – with over 1.6 million citizens. It was founded in 1537 by the Portuguese and was established as the first slave port in the Americas, while it was also an important harbour due to the areas sugar cane production. The city still retains some of its history and its port remains an important part of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
Surrounded by stone reefs which give the city its name (Reef), Recife has beautiful beaches but is also famous for its inland waters, sometimes referred to as the Brazilian Venice, with many small rivers and islands, as well as over 50 bridges in the city centre creating a unique landscape. Its skyline is noted for its tall, modern skyscrapers which overlook the ocean and make for memorable sunsets.
As the city sees a continual rise in tourism, Recife has become home to a number of fantastic hotels and resorts, making it difficult to decide which one is the most suited to your needs. ‘Must haves’ vary whether you are a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group of friends. This article has been written to help you choose where to stay in Recife, Brazil, including which areas are the most popular and featuring our 7 best hotels in the city.
Villa d’Oro Hotel
This fully equipped 4 star hotel has everything you need for a vacation in Recife, including; a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre & business facilities. Reliable WiFi is available throughout the hotel if anyone plans on working remotely during their stay, while the Villa d’Oro Hotel can also offer airport transfers, room service and a 24 hour reception area. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, flat screen TVs and a desk.
The Villa d’Oro receives particular praise for its convenient location, spacious sun terrace and tasty, customisable buffet breakfasts. An A la carte service is also offered at meal times, with contemporary and regional dishes, with room service until 10pm.
Address: Av. João de Barros, 886 – Soledade, Recife – PE, 50100-020, Brazil
Best for: This hotel is particularly convenient for digital nomads and is family friendly.
Rating: 8.1/10
Hotel Luzeiros Recife
Located 1km away from Pina Beach (a 15-20 minute walk), Hotel Luzeiros is very popular for its location and facilities, in addition to excellent service. The hotel is well situated for convenience with the Rio Mar Shopping Mall located 550 yards away and the airport requires just a short taxi journey – one of the most popular areas to stay in for travellers who want make use of the city’s great transport links.
This hotel has a restaurant, outdoor pool, fitness centre and sauna, while rooms are fitted with air conditioning, WiFI, a private bathroom, TV and mini bar. It is set in a high rise building, with a glass facade which blends into this modern part of the city. A breakfast buffet is available every morning, in a relaxed, casual setting to prepare you for a busy day of exploring the wonderful city of Recife.
Address: R. Barão de Santo Ângelo, 100 – Pina, Recife – PE, 51110-180, Brazil
Best for: Couples and families will have a pleasant time at this well equipped hotel.
Rating: 8.3/10
Grand Mercure Recife Boa Viagem
The Grand Mercure Hotel in Recife caters for both business and leisure, boasting a stunning beachfront location to relax and enjoy the Brazilian weather. Natural swimming pools have been formed by the nearby reefs, which of course offer fantastic snorkeling opportunities. This hotel has all the luxuries you would expect such as a gym; sauna; swimming pool and beauty salon. Large event spaces are also available, making it popular for events and conferences. Anyone visiting Recife for business can enjoy a desk area, high speed internet and a direct dial telephone, in addition to ocean views.
The Mangabeiras restaurant offers a sophisticated, gourmet experience which combines local and international flavours in a stylish and modern setting, accompanied with sea views. The contemporary menu is available for both lunch and dinner which caters for children and vegetarians – light snacks are also served throughout the day.
Address: Av. Boa Viagem, 4070 – Boa Viagem, Recife – PE, 51021-100, Brazil
Best for: This hotel caters perfectly for guests visiting the city on business or plan on working remotely.
Rating: 8.7/10
Radisson Recife
Directly across from Boa Viagem beach, the Radisson Recife overlooks the South Atlantic Ocean and is based in an impressive high rise building which adds to the city’s striking skyline. The beautiful Mangrove Park (Parque dos Manguezais) is less than a fifteen minutes walk away and guests can choose from the many bars, restaurants, shops and nightclubs in the area. Boa Viagem is jam packed with hotels but not many can offer the same modern luxury and proven levels of service as this one, making it one of our top choices in Recife – perfect for couples and solo travellers who want to be close action but need space to relax.
The Radisson offers a complimentary breakfast and a relaxed restaurant for lunch and dinner, promising fantastic meals. Suites contain a living area, balcony and whirpool, while standard rooms are equipped with flat screen TVs and coffee machines to make you feel at home. Guests can also make use of the outdoor pool, sauna and fitness room. As you would expect from this world renowned chain of hotels, each room is meticulously clean, modern and has air-con. Reviews speak highly of the friendly and helpful staff, great restaurant and the Radisson receives perfect marks for its location.
Address: Av. Boa Viagem, 1906 – Boa Viagem, Recife – PE, 51011-000, Brazil
Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers are fond of this hotel for its location and modern facilities.
Rating: 9.0/10
Bugan Recife Hotel by Atlantica
Bugan Hotel is a sleek, modern hotel found just a six minutes walk from the most popular beach in Recife, another option in one of the most sought after areas to stay. Using the easy to reach public transport links, visitors can also get to attractions such as the Museu Cais do Sertão to get a real flavour for the area. The city center and old town are also easily reachable and affordable taxis can be arranged by reception. If you are looking for a classic, well serviced hotel, as opposed to expensive boutique accommodation, or a private rental then the Bugan should definitely be considered as it is one of Booking.com’s top picks in Recife and a contender for our favourite place to stay in the city.
One of the highest rated hotels in Recife, the Bugan Hotel contains the same amenities which can be found in our other options, in addition to modern, understated decor and small touches which make a big difference, such as bathroom appliances, laundry facilities and cable television – perfect for a long stay. The large rooftop pool is one of the best spots to improve your tan in the city, offering stunning views of the skyline and a stylish lounge area. Relax with a few drinks at the in-house pub or pool bar, enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the restaurant, or get ready for your day with a strong brew at the hotel’s coffee shop. Breakfast can also be brought to your room with 24-hour room service.
Address: Av. Eng. Domingos Ferreira, 4661 – Boa Viagem, Recife – PE, 51021-040, Brazil
Best for: Solo guests, couples and long stay travellers particularly enjoy this hotel because of its modern comforts and facilities.
Rating: 9.2/10
Hotel Atlante Plaza
One of the most recognisable hotels in Recife with its striking blue facade, the Hotel Atlante Plaza is akin to something you might find in Las Vegas. An upscale, modernised and tastefully decorated hotel which is ranked amongst the best in the city, close to local amenities, shopping, attractions, nightlife and transport links. This hotel is sometimes popular with sports fans due to its close proximity to the Estádio Ilha do Retiro, home to Sport Recife. Guests can also enjoy a range of sports and activities, whether it is snorkeling or diving in the nearby reefs, paddle boarding along the coastline or playing volleyball on the beach. Suitable for families and very popular with couples who want to keep active.
The Brasserie-style Aurora restaurant can be found in the lobby and provides a rich and varied buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, sure to appeal to even the fussiest eaters. The rooftop terrace has a large swimming pool and bar area where you can enjoy a cocktail and a swim, while admiring the sea and city views – a second bar is also located in the main lobby. Rooms have a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with mini bars and tea/ coffee making facilities. Upgraded rooms/ suites feature ocean views and large living spaces – great for enjoying room service and bottle of wine.
Address: Av. Boa Viagem, 5426 – Boa Viagem, Recife – PE, 51030-000, Brazil
Best for: This hotel is well suited for families and couples who want to be in close proximity to the beach and main attractions.
Rating: 9.3
Freitas Residence – Quinta Manuel Rodrigues
Just 200 yards from the beach, the Freitas Residence – Quinta Manuel Rodrigues is an extremely popular 5 star hotel in a prime location. This hotel boasts world class service and couples can enjoy large studio apartments which are complete with; dining area; kitchenette; refrigerator; sofa; washing machine; tumble dryer and more. If you have booked into a normal room then you can still access the communal kitchen and dining area if you want to prepare a quick breakfast, or a packed lunch. If guests don’t want to make use of the local beach and are keen to avoid the crowds, then they can enjoy the hotel’s pristine swimming pool which can be found on the rooftop terrace, in addition to a quiet lounge area.
The airport is just over 3 miles away and the hotel is well serviced by taxis and public transport, although many of the area’s main attractions can be reached on foot. The city center is easily accessible and there are many great shopping options in the vicinity. Offering fantastic value, the Freitas Residence is one of the most universal accommodation options on our list and is a great place to stay for solo travellers, large groups, families, couples and it is even pet friendly.
Address: R. Pedro Américo Galvão, 129 – Boa Viagem, Recife – PE, 51011-560, Brazil
Best for: This hotel is perfect for any kind of traveller, with homely studio apartments and well-equipped rooms, providing ideal accommodation to solo guests and large groups.
Rating: 9.6/10
What is the best area to stay in Recife?
Without doubt, the best and most popular area to stay in Recife is Boa Viagem due to its stunning beach, rock pools and array of accommodation options. As well as the tranquil coastline, the area also has plenty of bars, nightclubs & restaurants to provide a 24 hour experience, in addition to skyscrapers which provide rooftop bars & terraces and an impressive skyline.
Other popular areas include the historic centre & Boa Vista which may offer more appeal to backpackers and sightseers.
Where is the best place to stay in Recife for families?
Boa Viagem is the best option for families because of its fantastic resorts, water activities and amenities. This area caters perfectly for tourists and can keep the entire family occupied throughout the day, while offering a wide range of meal options at night, including many western and American classics.
Kids and adults can enjoy; paddle boarding, catamaran tours, diving and a number of other fun activities to keep even the most energetic families amused.
Where to stay in Recife for couples?
Recife Antigo, Also known as the old town or historic centre is the most romantic and interesting place in Recife, making it perfect for a couple’s vacation. Here you can find churches, chapels and convents from the 17th century, as well as bustling markets and photogenic squares. You can explore popular sites such as; Benfic Street, Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, the Apollo Theatre, The Marco Zero, Torre Malakoff Cultural Observatory and the Placa do Arsenal.
Boa Vista is also popular with couples, famous for its market, nightlife and colonial architecture.
