Film stars and glitterati frequent this exclusive São Paulo hotel. This small hotel is only 38 rooms and infused with a cool minimalism. Hidden behind its mirror glass façade are huge rooms, just three per floor, with soothing cream décor. The deluxe spa includes a complimentary spa-massage for guests and superb views over the neighbourhood. A champagne and caviar bar sits alongside a fine contemporary Italian restaurant on the ground floor. There is a helipad on the rooftop with an airport shuttle service available.

This hotel's ethos is opulent familiarity, hence why new arrivals are greeted by an inviting sunken lounge bar of plump leather sofas, with reception concealed within a Babylonian brickwork interior. The theme of easy decadence flows into the rooms with lots of wood and timeless leather furnishing. The Italian cuisine within the sparklingly lit Fasano Restaurant, under chef Salvatore Loi's direction, is one of São Paulo's finest. Naomi Campbell and Yoko Ono are among illustrious past clients.

Like a stranded copper-green Noah's ark, renowned architect Ruy Ohtake's fantasy creation is the pinnacle of imaginative design. Every inch of this boutique São Paulo hotel near Ibarepuera Park is surreal. Rooms with arched wooden floors reflect the hotel's curvature, and furnishings are sci-fi chic. A blood-red swimming pool on the rooftop tops off this extraordinary architectural adventure.

Only in the moderately priced bracket if booked in advance because this is a luxurious residence bearing the hallmarks of quality expected from a Grand Hyatt. Located in the Pinheiros financial district, it has all the amenities you could wish for, including high speed internet, a choice of bars and restaurants, 466 rooms and suites and an exemplary spa. The Wine Library bar offers guests a giddying choice of 2,500 bottles. Breakfast included.

Popular with business clientele yet conveniently enough located off Avenida Paulista to crack the leisure market. The 76 rooms of this Portuguese chain offer ample comfort for those on the move with iPod docking stations and Wi-Fi. With a beautiful falling staircase and striking artworks on the wall, this hotel oozes grandeur, yet comes at a reasonable price.

This modern skyscraper offers good rates for travellers in the thriving commercial district of Itaim Bibi with fabulous vistas towards Moema district from the corporate top floor rooms. The Staybridge is also conveniently incorporated into an open mall with a cinema, gym and restaurants, so there's no need to risk life and limb crossing busy surrounding roads to go out.

The striking contemporary black and white lobby belies the fact this São Paulo hotel provides a combination of style and value. The rooms are no frills, but spacious nonetheless, with wood floors and cable TV. Air conditioning and anti-noise windows come as standard and the showers reuse rainwater to make the hotel more environmentally friendly. 155 is located in downtown Consolação, close to Rua Augusta's nightlife and opposite the restaurant street of Rua Avanhandava. Breakfast included.

This 198-room hotel in São Paulo, with its mammoth convention centre, flatters beyond its 4-star billing. The rooms behind Excelsior's art-deco frontage are plain and businesslike, yet excellent value. Wi-Fi is free, rooms come with LCD TVs and there is a bar and fitness centre onsite. The location is also close by downtown Praça da República with nearby cultural icons such as Teatro Municipal and Edificio Copan. Staff speak English and can help book tickets and tours. Breakfast included.