Back

Villa Bahia

Customer Ratings
This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback

  • Villa Bahia
  • Mary Anne Nelson ©
  • Mary Anne Nelson ©
  • Mary Anne Nelson ©
0 1 2 3

Beautifully appointed hotel formed from two adjoining colonial buildings, offering a haven of calm and relaxation in the heart of Salvador's historic Pelourinho area.

Villa Bahia, a refurbishment of two adjoining colonial residences, is in the heart of the evocative historic centre of Salvador, choc-a-bloc with a jumble of colourfully painted houses, shops, bars and restaurants. The cobbled alleys resound with the drumbeat of Brazil’s Afro-Portuguese heritage, but ensconced in this charming guesthouse, behind soundproofed windows, you feel as though you're in a bubble of calm.

The property has 17 individually decorated guestrooms distributed over three floors. Conceived and inspired by the French proprietor, the rooms' décor and furnishings whisk you back to the colonial era. In true boutique style, each is different and has a charm and character of its own, whether it be highly polished wooden floors, four-poster beds, Portuguese tiles or lofty wooden ceilings. Some rooms have a Juliet balcony or terrace. The three rooms on the top floor are smaller but ample compensation comes in the form of a large outdoor area complete with Jacuzzi.

Relaxation is a high priority here and the communal rooftop sun terrace has great views. There is also a restaurant serving up distinctive Bahian cuisine with a French flavour and a small ground pool on a leafy patio. The lobby bar is a fine place to unwind with a cup of the hotel's justly renowned coffee.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • This is a gem!  The hotel is absolutely beautiful with a real colonial feel.  We ate in the restaurant one evening and it was the best meal we had during…

    AER, Edinburgh
  • Beautifully designed and renovated, wonderful location, lovely staff.

    PA, London
  • Intimate atmosphere, very friendly staff, marvellous location in the heart of the old town with lots of street music.

    MK, Southampton
  • "We arrived very late but excellent greeting and were shown to what seemed quite a pleasant room on the top floor. However it proved to be very noisy with the…

    PA,Bourne end
0 1 2 3

Our Expert's Opinion

I thought this hotel was beautiful – the décor is wonderful and it’s clear that every last detail, from the rooms to the public areas and numerous leafy terraces, has been carefully thought through to ensure an atmosphere of peaceful luxury in the heart of the bustling city. The delicious local breakfast and freshly made juice were an added bonus and made the perfect start to my day.

Kathryn
Kathryn Rhodes Travel Expert Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

0 1 2 3 4 5