In the know

Our favourite rooms: The hotels’ wooden bungalows are almost identical in size and decor, the only difference is in proximity to the sea and the level of privacy offered. Each is brightly decorated, with reed mats and tall, white American-style shutters, and most rooms boast huge muslin-draped beds. The four Cabana 1s are closer to the beach (although you can’t see the sea too well owing to the curtain of wild foliage outside), and set a little further apart, so if you’re prepared to pay a little extra for added rainforest seclusion, these are the ones to plump for. The Cabana 3s at the rear of the resort are adjoining, and thus ideal for friends and families, less so for bed-bound lovers.
Packing tips: A torch will come in handy for navigating the resort after nightfall; shady hats and natty shades will help fight off the midday glare.
Also: The hotel organises eco-tours of the neighbouring rainforest, including canopy walks, lakeside treks and horse riding. Fazenda de Lagoa’s spa offers massages, steam baths, rainforest mud masks, and waxing.

Bahia hotels: Hotel Fazenda da Lagoa, need to know

Current offers

Smith card offer: A massage treatment each

Hotel Fazenda da Lagoa

Bahia, Brazil[view map]

Style: Eco cabañas
Setting: Amazing Amazon lagoon

Separated from civilization by a sweep of meandering lagoon, this Bahia coast beach hotel is all about hammock snoozes, rainforest wanders and shore-side shenanigans. Its 14 spacious cabãnas are surrounded by lush jungle, and are adorned with a smart mix of bright white and bold colours by the style-sensitive owner. Hotel Fazenda de Lagoa is practically the definition of beach-shack chic.

Need to know

Rooms: 14 cabañas.
Rates: Low season, $342–$447; high season, $421–$625, including breakfast and airport transfers; excludes 12 per cent tax.
Check-out: Midday, although later check-out may be available on request. (Check-in: 2pm.)
Facilities: Spa, sauna, library, DVD selection, Free WiFi in the main building. In cabanas: flatscreen TV, DVD player, minibar, hammock, indoor and outdoor showers, biodegradable Casa Granado toiletries.
Poolside: Fazenda de Lagoa’s saltwater pool consists of two slim 25-metre strips forming a L-shape lined with wooden loungers and a thatch-roofed cabana bar.
Eco-friendly: It’s an eco-conscious place: there are no bath tubs (to save water), and chlorine is not used (to minimise damage to the water table). Renewable energy sources are used throughout.
Also: The area behind Fazenda de Lagoa used to be cattle-grazing ground, but the owners have replanted the land and restored it to its jungly Amazonian glory.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Local produce is used to create a combination of Brazilian classics and international dishes, served in the main canopied restaurant for dinner and at the poolside snack shack for lunch. Feijoada (meat and black bean stew) and Moquecas (fish in cocon
Dress code: Floaty, footloose and fancy-free.
Top table: For an intimate dinner à deux, have food brought to the deck outside your room, otherwise, pick a spot on the restaurant terrace and have staff set you up a table.
Last orders: Meal times are late and leisurely with lunch lingering on till 4pm and dinner served between 8pm and midnight. Drinks are available until the last guest leaves.
Room service: The hotel’s staff are happy to bring meals and snacks to your cabaña at any time. You can show you’d like breakfast brought to you by hoisting a flag.
Hotel bar: Drinks are served either by the pool or at the main house, but you can sup cocktails anywhere you like on the Fazanda, whether lounging by the beach or sinking into a sofa.

Other facilities

Children: Over-eights are welcome; under-eights by arrangement. Baby cots can be provided, and one extra bed ($50 a night) can be fitted in each room with notice. There’s a lifeguard on duty by the pool from 8am until 3pm.

Smith card offer

A massage treatment each

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Smith concierge

If you’d prefer to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble booking online, ring our travel team on 0845 034 0700 (+44 20 8987 4312 from outside the UK). We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.