BEAUTIFUL HOTELS

“Reading is like travel, allowing you to exit your own life for a bit, and to come back with a renewed, even inspired, perspective” — a statement by author Laurie Helgoe that surely rings true with the curators of @pousadaliteraria in Paraty, Brazil. A true oasis in the heart of town's charming historic district, this completely restored colonial house offers twenty-three rooms, three villas, and an elegant library featuring a wide array of literature from across the world. Guests can get their reading in throughout the property's lush courtyard, complete with tropical foliage, a glimmering pool, and a casual restaurant that serves fresh, locally-sourced breakfast anytime so you can sleep in without missing the most important meal of the day. The hotel also boasts a bookstore, a second, more high-end restaurant that's one of the highest rated in town — Quintal das Letras — a full spa, and a series of cultural tours to explore protected parks, nature reserves, and nearby islands. Travel tip: Be sure to visit the hotel’s farm, Fazenda Bananal, from which it sources all ingredients for its restaurants. Just a 10-minute drive from the property, the farm possesses a picturesque beauty and nearly tangible sense of serenity, with meticulously manicured grounds, friendly staff, and a delicious farm-to-table restaurant that features only items straight from the farm it resides on. (