Casa Turquesa is a romantic boutique hotel in Paraty, a colonial town that lies on Brazil's verdant Costa Verde. This spot has gathered in popularity in recent years, particularly with honeymooners and romancing couples wanting a break from the norm; it is picture-perfect, with beautifully preserved towns and villages set against a back-drop of lush forests and mountains, leading down to the sea.

The facilities

This is a proper boutique hotel and as such facilities have been kept to a minimum; there are only nine guestrooms, after all. There's no restaurant, but room service runs until 11:00 pm (a mainly Brazilian menu with a smattering western favourites). There's a lovely internal patio area that holds an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, plus a reading room complete with fireplace for the colder months.

The rooms

Each of Casa Turquesa's nine guestrooms has been designed with great attention to detail; all share the same charming, sophisticated look as its communal areas. They come complete with LCD televisions, Egyptian cotton linens, mosquito nets made my craftsmen from Bahia and air-conditioning. All boast lovely views across Paraty, from the renowned mountains to the dome of Santa Rita Church - the oldest religious building in the town.