Mama Ruisa

Just uphill from the Lapa district with its colourful nightlife, and overlooking Guanabara bay, sits Mama Ruisa, a splendid mansion, once a 19-century colonial aristocrat’s home. This newly opened boutique guesthouse in Santa Teresa has an exotic, Brazilian feel with modern French touches courtesy of charming owner Jean-Michel Ruis. With elegant wrought iron verandahs, tall wooden shutters and scattered memorabilia you may feel like you’re in a scene from Flying down to Rio while you breakfast against a backdrop of the Sugar Loaf mountain. The rooms are spacious, with mod cons and crisp French fabrics and there’s an outdoor pool and relaxing walled garden. Massage, manicure and pedicure are also on offer. It’s a 15-minute taxi ride to the famous beaches and an ideal base from which to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue.