Escape: Places: Brazil's New Beauty: Insólito

Brazil's New Beauty: Insólito

We just learned of a welcome addition to Búzios, the Brazilian fishing village-turned hip beach resort (à la St. Tropez), which is overrun by cariocas (Rio locals) each summer. A fabulously situated private villa has been transformed by its worldly owners (he’s French, she’s Belgian) into a special boutique hotel. Surrounded by lush gardens and with drop-dead sea views, the intimate Insólito property has just twelve uniquely appointed rooms, all of which exude a quintessential Brazilian beach-chic vibe. The top three suites feature a large living room and Jacuzzi on the balcony that has sweeping bay views; the deluxe rooms, meanwhile, come with a small garden. Búzios claims twenty-six beaches, including calm Ferradura (perfect for canoeing) and Manguinhos (where you can watch kite surfers), so there’s no shortage of scenic places to lounge; plus café-lined shopping street Rua das Pedras is nearby. But guests may well opt to while away the days at serene Insolito, where private yoga lessons and spa treatments can be arranged. Rooms from $455.