Casa Mosquito

The names alone summon sunny tropical visions and a breezy Brazilian tune: Copacabana, Ipanema. Long two of the most famous beaches on Earth, they lie more or less side-by-side, one long, lunar sliver of sand leading to the other. Sitting at the center of the little peninsula between them, up a hill from the beachside high-rises and resorts, is Casa Mosquito, an unostentatious ten-room hotel that is (in the best possible way) entirely out of scale with the enormous reputations and built-up development of the beaches below.

Obviously the location means you have to a little go farther than the front door to get sand between your toes, but if you’re looking for something in a lower key, the trade-off is worth it. Just as there’s something quintessentially Rio about the beach scene, populated as it is by barely-clad beautiful people, there’s an equally appropriate, leisurely charm in retreating to the shade of a leafy colonial mansion in the hills. And if your hosts are a pair of easy going Frenchmen with a light decorative touch, all the better, and all the more authentic in this most cosmopolitan city.

In different hands, in a different place, rooms named after legendary local figures might feel a bit forced, but not here. The Cariocas they’ve chosen for the rooms, all sunny and plant-filled and spiked with cool, quirky tchotchkes, include the likes of Madame Satã, a legendary drag queen, outlaw and hustler. That slightly deviant spirit runs throughout, but not at the expense of comfort. The feel is one of an upscale guesthouse, stylish without being over-worked, homey but not homely. The chef, who served his tours of duty in Michelin-starred restaurants before landing here, serves sophisticated French fare in the hotel’s casually comfortable settings — by the pool, in the courtyard, in your room.

As always, a little distance is good for perspective, and views of the famous beaches, plus the favelas in the surrounding hills and Sugarloaf Mountain above, are practically everywhere you look. Look first from your private terrace — there’s one in every room — and if you’re in one of the better rooms, look again from the shower or tub. The destination is a classic, but here, the look is pleasantly different from what we’ve come to expect.

Travel advisory: Passport and visa requirements differ from country to country. Please check with your local authority before booking.

How to get there: Casa Mosquito is conveniently located 30 minutes by car from the Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

• 4 Rooms
• Style: Modern Design
• Atmosphere: Lively
• 1 Guest Review

Tweet