If you like Holiday Inn... and other Salvador da Bahia, Brazil Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

The Marazul ('blue sea') is in Barra, a 30-minute bus trip -- or 15-20 minute cab ride -- from the Pelourinho. It's near some of Salvador's best beaches and within walking distance of good restaurants, and two interesting historical relics -- the Farol (lighthouse) da Barra and the colonial-era Forte de Sta Maria.

If you like Holiday Inns -- and don't mind being far from Salvador's historical center -- the Marazul is a good choice.

A single room cost R$120 (about US$60 in 2002, maybe $45 in 2003).

Unique Qualities: Rooms are spacious and well appointed; all have views of the sea, either towards the lighthouse or towards the fort.

The restaurant is on the 2d floor and opens onto the hotel's small pool. A good breakfast is included in the roomrate; other meals will encourage you to eat outside the hotel. At the time of my visit the ground floor bar was closed.

Like a growing number of Brazilian hotels:
1) hallway lights are off until you step off the lift or out of your room, and
2) you must insert a card into a slot in your room to activate lights and air conditioning.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 7 de Setembro 3937, Barra
Directions: About midway between the center (Pelourinho) and the classy suburb of Oninda.

The Tropical Bahia is part of the Varig-owned chain that includes the Hotel das Cataratas (Iguacu Falls) and the Tropical Manaus. Those two are resorts on the outskirts of cities; Tropical Bahia is near the town center. Unlike the Manaus, it offers only a single restaurant; unlike both the others, it offers little in on-site attractions -- and it can be packed with business travelers.

Rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable. The location is ideal: I walked to the Pelourinho -- along streets that gave fascinating glimpses of local life -- in just over half-an-hour. For those who don't want to hoof it, buses to all parts of the city run near the hotel -- and taxis are always sitting nearby.

Unique Qualities: From some rooms there's a view of a lovely park centered around the city's 'Indian monument.' From others there's no view at all.

There's a business center with access to the internet; there's also a good-sized pool.

The restaurant serves a fine breakfast, free to guests; on weekdays it's best to get there right after it opens, at 7:00, or wait till after 9:00 (when the businessmen are gone). Other meals are good, not great, and a bit pricey.

Teatro Castro Alves -- the center of the city's cultural life -- is a block away.

Staff members, English-speaking at the desk, are friendly and helpful.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 71.255.2000
Address: Av Sete de Setembro, 1.537
Directions: In Campo Grande: not quite half-way between the Pelourinho and Barra.