In this guide · 4 sections
São Paulo has plenty of hotels, and most good ones in the central and upscale areas welcome same-sex couples without a fuss. The city doesn't have a tradition of gay-specific guesthouses like some European spots do, but the hospitality industry here is professional and discreet.
Where to stay
Consolação, the neighborhood around Frei Caneca, is the most practical spot if you want to be near the gay scene. Hotels here run from budget to mid-range. It's central but not particularly pretty.
Jardins — the upscale residential area south of Consolação — is a better base if you have the budget. It has great restaurants, Avenida Paulista nearby, and better infrastructure. Many of the city's better hotels are here.
Vila Madalena and Pinheiros work if you want a neighborhood feel and proximity to the alternative bar scene, rather than the main gay circuit.
During Pride
June Pride brings huge crowds to Avenida Paulista and the surrounding areas. Hotels fill up, and prices go up. Book weeks or even months ahead for Pride weekend. The weeks right before and after Pride are easier for availability and pricing.
The hotels
- — This hotel is extremely well-run, a ten-minute walk from the heart of "Gay Caneca." The Japanese/Brazilian Blue Tree chain is known across Brazil for its excellent management. Their Paulista location is a great gay-friendly option. It's two blocks from Avenida Paulista and less than ten minutes from A Lôca, Barão da Itararé, and Bar Bofetada. You can go bar hopping and then retreat here.
- Bourbon Sao Paulo Business Hotel — A straight-laced, yet gay-friendly, hotel right next to the bear and daddy bars. It's ground zero for coroas (Portuguese slang for older guys) and ursos (bears). The Bourbon São Paulo Business Hotel is an easy choice for gay travelers. Management runs a tight ship, and officially it's a business hotel. But like most businesses on Avenida Vieira de Carvalho, they're gay-friendly. That doesn't mean they're slut-friendly. If you bring someone home from a neighboring bar, be discreet.
- Golden Tulip Bella Artes — The Golden Tulip's "Bela Artes" outpost is walking distance to most of the bars, cafes, and restaurants on the gay São Paulo list. Stroll down Frei Caneca for early-evening drinks at Barão da Itararé or up to Jiquitaia for a good Brazilian meal. A good portion of the hotel is newly-renovated (ask at the front desk which floor has the new rooms). Service is great, Wi-fi may or may not be free, and their overnight guest policy is fairly relaxed.
- Grand Hyatt São Paulo — The Grand Hyatt São Paulo is a stylish luxury hotel with skyline views of the city's new landmark, Estaiada Bridge over the Pinheiros River. Local food media praises its dining, which includes contemporary French, modern Japanese, and comfort food celebrating Brazil's culinary roots.
- Guest Urban Hotel & Festa Deck — Guest Urban Hotel is a design-conscious boutique in Pinheiros, a neighborhood that's become a hipster hotspot over the past ten years. It has free WiFi and a sun terrace. Guests can use the on-site bar. The property is 1 km from Jardins and 1.9 km from Paulo Machado de Carvalho Stadium. All rooms have a flat-screen TV with cable channels.
- — The H3 keeps its design simple with crisp whites and chocolate browns. It's a simplicity that flows throughout the hotel: basic, yet classy. Inexpensive without feeling cheap. The H3 Hotel Paulista is an equal distance from both the Museum of Art São Paulo and the gay bars of Frei Caneca. It's popular for both its location and low rates.
- Higienopolis Hotel — Near Higienopolis shops. A 5-minute walk from Shopping Pátio Higienópolis, TRYP Sao Paulo Higienopolis Hotel puts you steps from some of the city's trendiest shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. Historic Parque Buenos Aires and Teatro Folha's lively arts scene are both a 5-minute walk away. The Altino Arantes building's observation deck, a 15-minute taxi ride, offers stunning views of São Paulo.
- Hotel Fasano — Hotel Fasano São Paulo has an indoor pool and fitness center. This 5-star hotel is in the upscale Jardins district, just 250 meters from the luxurious Rua Oscar Freire. What else can you say about one of the best hotels in the world? The design and service are worth the price tag. If you're an ultra-wealthy gay man who can afford the Fasano, enjoy it.
- Hotel Unique — This design hotel has a rooftop restaurant and is near Ibirapuera. It's in Ibirapuera, a low-rise western suburb that also has the city's most important urban park. You'll be a 15-minute drive from Congonhas Airport, while the shops of Avenida Paulista and Rua Oscar Freire are both a 10-minute drive. From the hotel, it's a 5-minute walk to Ibirapuera.
- Iguatemi Hotel — Tryp São Paulo Iguatemi has an outdoor pool with city views, a spa, and a fitness center. It's in Itaim-Bibi, one of São Paulo's prime neighborhoods, and includes free WiFi. Rooms are 4-star with air conditioning, cable TV, and a minibar. They're bright, spacious, and have contemporary décor and a work station. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Guests get a buffet breakfast in the restaurant, with hot items, fresh fruits, and various breads.
Practical notes
São Paulo isn't a cheap hotel market by South American standards, though it's still more affordable than comparable European cities. Breakfast is usually included at mid-range and upscale hotels. The city's traffic makes location more important than in cities where you can easily cross town — being close to where you want to spend your evenings really matters.
For the full São Paulo picture, see the Gay São Paulo Guide.
