Insolito

Rooms

There are six categories of rooms: Superior, Luxo, Junior Suite (which we're yet to see), Master Suite, Insolito Suite and Honeymoon Suite (also not seen personally by us). Kingsize beds are made up with top-quality white sheets and duvets, and the overall theme is calm: a wash of white, with splashes of bright colour or a pleasing pattern that tap into the Brazilian beach vibe... a striped rug here, a floral cushion there.

In keeping with the luxury brief, everything is top-of-the-range. Mattresses are by Sealy; robes by Trussardie; towels are Karsten Zero Twist Towels. You also get a plasma TV, DVD player and free WiFi. The interior designer's eye for detail, down to the delectable toiletries on the stunning glass-tiled sink panels (a different colour in every room) adds to the feeling of privilege. Bathrooms are equally stylish, with rainhead showers.

We liked the Luxo rooms, which have a private slice of garden, but our rooms of choice would be the Insolito Suites (if your budget will stretch to it). These have an outdoor Jacuzzi on the wraparound deck so you get a panoramic sea view as you soak. Inside you'll find a spacious living area, with a cocoon-shaped white leather sofa, a pre-loaded iPod and a smattering of cool art.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The food is delicious fusion - European with a Brazilian twist. The Galeria restaurant offers rooftop and indoor seating. For lunch and dinner, think catch of the day with sweet banana, lobster with quinoa risotto or rump of young bull with truffles and mashed olives. Follow this with a trio of chocolate mousses, vanilla crème brûlée or cupuaçu (a creamy Brazilian 'chocolate').

Lunch and snacks are available all day from the bar menu. Try a range of mouthwatering ice creams such as banana with yoghurt and caramel or a pineapple sorbet. The Eden Beach Lounge is a laid back alternative and serves a snacky menu from 11am until late.

Breakfast is a buffet of meats, cheese, homemade bread, croissants and fresh fruits followed by eggs or pancakes cooked to order - the chefs are incredibly friendly. Tea, coffee and four types of fresh juice are available to wash it down.

There’s a wealth of excellent eateries in town, one of our favourites is Bar do Ze, overlooking the Bardot beachfront serving imaginative risottos. We find that ‘Centro Gastronimico’ Porta da Barra, a 15-minute taxi drive away, offers less discovered bars and restaurants.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Amazingly, there are 26 beaches to explore around the peninsula- last time we visited there were 23, but hey, that’s inflation! Head to remote coves such as Forno or Azedinha to find your own slice of paradise (the hotel can prepare picnic lunches). The west coast beaches are calmest and the eastern beaches are best for watersports. Lagoa Azul is great for a sunset beer and a basic but tasty dish of seafood and rice (10 minutes' drive from Insolito)
  
  
• Go diving at Ilha da Ancora or snorkelling at beaches João Fernandes and João Fernandinho, Lagoinha, Forno, Azeda and Azedinha to see turtles, barracuda and jewel-bright corals.
  
  
• Explore Búzios town. By day, max out your Amex in the trendy boutiques on Rua das Pedras, stopping for a chocolate crêpe at the open-air Chez Michou en route. Then, as the sun goes down, have a caipirinha at Ponto or Anexo's, head for dinner at Bar do Ze then hit the clubs. Zapata is packed at the weekends, while Privilege is an all-night-long venue
  
  
• Hire a mountain bike, go walking in the surrounding countryside, or play golf at the town’s 18-hole course
  
  
• Back at the hotel, swim in one of the deep infinity pools (one freshwaster, one saltwater), have a private yoga class, experience the heavenly treatments of the hotel spa including Ayurvedic, hot stone and Shiatsu massages and tropical fruit facial.

  Activities on site or nearby include:

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

Kids

Children are welcome but there are no special amenities or extra beds. Over 14s are charged as adults.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Insolito is set 1km outside the fashionable coastal town of Armação de Búzios (usually known as just Búzios), 2.5 hours' drive from 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 (15km away) is only served by private aircraft; the hotel can arrange charter flights from Rio or any other Brazilian city in a private Pilatus PC12 plane on request (enquire when booking).

From the Airport
It's a straightforward drive from Rio, but if you'd prefer the hotel can arrange a (pricey) transfer - see Rates. To be honest though, we found the journey by bus very easy (see below).

By Bus:
Local bus companies travel between Novo Rio Rodoviaria (the main bus station in Rio) and Búzios every 2 hours, and services are cheap and comfortable. From Búzios, you can take a local taxi to the hotel.

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

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

More on getting to Brazil and getting around