Located in Rio de Janeiro’s bohemian, artistic district of Santa Teresa, the charming Mama Ruisa boutique hotel is located in close proximity to the city’s best antique shops and boutiques, art nouveau manors, and intellectually vibrant cafés. The Mama Ruisa hotel is run by the dynamic French expat Jean Michel Ruiz, who brings a sense of European elegance to this intimate boutique hotel. The white-washed walls of Mama Ruisa frame the overall sophistication, cleanliness and polish of the seven rooms that occupy the mansion, whose high-ceilinged interiors are decorated with drawings by Jean Cocteau; photos of Josephine Baker, Colette and Maria Callas; and tastefully chosen religious sculptures sourced from all over Brazil. Each of the guestrooms boast spectacular views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay, offer 24 hour room service, along with laundry and dry cleaning services. Head to the airy front porch to relax in the breeze on a rocking chair, or to the chic modern living room with floor-to-ceiling French doors with lovely ocean breezes. Take a dip in the palm tree-shaded swimming pool or gaze down to the swimmers on the populous beaches from the hotel’s main terrace, which features magnificent panoramic views from the hillside.
