Casas Brancas

Rooms

Casas Brancas has grown slowly over recent decades from a 4-bedroom house to a stylish hotel with individually decorated rooms. Arranged on different levels and reached via secluded plant-filled courtyards and winding staircases, all are charming, airy and comfortable. White walls, ochre-washed arches and paintings of fishing boats give them a Mediterranean feel, while wall hangings, cushions and ornaments brought back from the owners' travels to Asia lend an exotic touch.

We recommend booking one of the Deluxe Rooms or one of the large suites, which all have an ocean view and a balcony or terrace with hammocks overlooking the bay. If you don't want to splash out, go for a smaller Superior Room with an ocean view. The Classic Rooms are similar to the Superior Rooms only situated on the lower level and without a veranda, but they still have views of the sea. The Standard Garden Rooms face the garden, but these are a tad dark. The 2-bedroom apartments are the best choice for families; alternatively, some of the Deluxe Rooms and suites can accommodate an extra person.

Features include:

• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The hotel has 2 restaurants; 74 Restaurant on the terrace, and Deck by the seafront. Start the day with breakfast on your private terrace or in 74 Restaurant. Fresh papaya, watermelon and mango and a selection of breads and pastries washed down with coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice will set you up for a day's exploring or pool-lounging.

Come evening time you can chill out to the mellow sounds of Bossa Nova while admiring the breathtaking view of the bay from Deck. The bar here serves a wide range of cocktails - a caipirinha at sunset is a must. If you'd like to eat here, expect a mix of Italian cuisine and local dishes. Alternatively, 74 Restaurant offers tasty international cuisine, as well as typical Brazilian recipes. It's renowned for its seafood, and we opted for delicious salmon marinated with sweet peppers, followed by a large platter of fresh seafood and locally caught fish, simply grilled and served with risotto or a crisp salad. We finished with gooey chocolate cake and homemade sorbet. For lunch we enjoyed healthy salads - chicken with an oriental-style tamarind sauce - and fat club sandwiches.

If you prefer to eat out, it's only a 5-minute walk to some of the town's best restaurants and bars. The hotel can provide recommendations, one of which would undoubtedly be its sister restaurant Rocka, which serves Spanish food by the sea.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• There's a small swimming pool and sun terraces with loungers, hammocks and spectacular views of the bay, free Tai-Chi and yoga lessons are also available
  
  
• The hotel's spa offers a wide range of reasonably-priced pampering treatments, from aromatherapy massages to body scrubs and wraps using lavender and cucumber
  
  
• Spread over a small peninsula, Búzios has 26 beaches and secluded coves to explore. Those on the northern side of the peninsula (João Fernandinho and João Fernandes) are more sheltered and best for snorkelling, while those on the southern side (Geriba) have better surf. All the beaches are easily reached by hiring a beach buggy
  
  
• At extra cost the hotel can arrange for catamaran or schooner trips to many of the tropical islands in the bay
  
  
• The hotel can also help to organise a wide variety of activities: diving excursions and courses, sailing, cycling and riding, as well as a range of water sports
  
  
• There's a tennis court within 2 minute's walk and a golf course nearby
  
  
• Búzios has many excellent restaurants (though expensive by Brazilian standards), bars and boutiques, and the town is particularly lively during the holiday season

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Horse riding
• Nightlife
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Windsurfing

Kids

Children over the age of 5 are welcome. Some rooms are adjoining, providing accommodation for up to 4 with a shared bathroom. Alternatively, the Deluxe Rooms and suites have space for an extra bed (charged at 30% of the room rate). There's no children's pool or specific facilities, but babysitters are on call at any time of the day. They can take children on tours and activities, including the trolley bus and biking, depending on the age of the child.

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casas Brancas is perched on a hillside overlooking the Bay of Búzios, a 5-minute walk from the centre of town. Búzios is located on a peninsula, 2 and a half hours northeast of Rio de Janeiro, along a good paved highway.

By Air:
Rio's Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (180km away) is served by many international airlines - click on the links below for more information. Búzios Airport is only 10km away, but is only served by private aircraft.

From the Airport
It's a straightforward drive from Rio, but if you'd prefer the hotel can arrange a group or private transfer - see Rates for more details.

By Car:
If you want to hire a car please see our car rental recommendations.

By Bus:
Local bus companies travel between Novo Rio Rodoviaria (the main bus station in Rio) and Búzios every 2 hours. Services are generally fast and comfortable.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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