Hotels I Can’t Stop Thinking About: Kuara Hotel
The best hotels don’t just give you a room. They give you a feeling. A sense that everything has already been thought of for you. At Kuara Hotel in Arraial D’Ajuda, Brazil, that feeling arrives the moment you step onto the property. Fresh towels stacked high. Mirrors in the shower. Service that knows what you need before you even say it. This is what hospitality should feel like.
But it’s not just the service that sets Kuara apart. The design is nothing short of transportive. An infinity pool that opens into the horizon. Rich wood finishes that make the whole place feel grounded and calm. Breezy, modern rooms that honor Brazilian architecture while still feeling deeply personal. It’s serene, stylish, and never sterile. The kind of space you want to live in, not just stay in.
And then there’s breakfast. In Brazil, café da manhã is not rushed. It’s a ritual. A time to savor, reset, and reconnect. Not just with your coffee, but with the people around you. Kuara understands this better than most. Each morning unfolds slowly in a stunning open-air dining space that invites you to linger. Tables are thoughtfully spaced so you can chat, reflect, or simply watch the trees sway as you sip your third juice of the morning.
The spread is generous and ever-changing. Fresh cakes of all kinds. Tropical fruits sliced and styled like artwork. Warm baskets of pão de queijo that melt in your mouth. You’ll find a rotation of Brazilian juices — mango one morning, passionfruit the next — each tasting like pure sunshine. And then there’s the made-to-order section, offering perfectly done eggs, delicate tapiocas, and the beloved crepiocas that balance indulgence with lightness. It’s the kind of breakfast you look forward to. The kind you wish you could bring home with you.
The pool is another highlight. Caipirinhas flow freely. The energy is mellow and easy. And the staff take care of every little thing. I barely had to lift a finger. They even unwrapped my straw for me. These tiny gestures add up, creating an atmosphere that feels beautifully intuitive. The goal here isn’t just to pamper you. It’s to completely relax you.
Even with heavy rain during my stay, Kuara still felt magical. I leaned into slow days. Curled up in soft corners. Truly rested. It reminded me that the best vacations don’t depend on perfect weather. They depend on how a place makes you feel.
This is where the Brazilians in the know go to unwind. Just up the coast from the ultra popular Trancoso, which is absolutely worth a visit and will get its own moment in another piece, Arraial D’Ajuda is a softer kind of destination. More low-key, but in the best way. It’s pure Bahian soul. Full of saravá, full of axé. All rhythm and ease. No added hype.
You feel it in the air. That sense of spiritual calm and vibrant joy. The music that hums through the streets. The way strangers greet you like old friends. Arraial carries the energy of Bahia with grace. It doesn’t try too hard. It just is.
And while the property is the kind you never want to leave, town is just minutes away. It’s colorful. Full of character. And has a culinary scene that punches way above its size. Grab a Biribiri Caipirinha at Cajoa Cozinha and stroll the cobblestone streets as live music floats through the air. Watch the sky go pink as you feel the pulse of a place that’s been shaped by culture, nature, and connection.
Kuara is the kind of stay I always keep in mind when building bespoke tropical getaways for my clients. It blends nature, design, warmth, and soul in a way that feels both luxurious and completely grounded. Whether you’re dreaming of Bahia, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, or an off-the-radar island, this is the energy I search for. A stay that feels personal, restorative, and effortlessly beautiful.
If that’s what you’re craving, let’s plan it.
