The 206-room Hotel Deville Prime Salvador is an upscale hotel located close to the beach in Itapua and about a 15-minute drive from the airport. However, it's at least 45 minutes from Salvador's city center and the Pelourinho district. Rooms are spacious and modern, and feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Those on upper floors have balconies with nice views of the sea. A restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet, and there are bars in the lobby and by the huge outdoor pool. The fitness center is well-equipped, and there's indoor and outdoor recreation plus corporate event space. Travelers preferring to be right on the beach could check out the Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort instead, which is even closer to the airport.  

The upper-middle-range Mar Brasil is modern (having been updated in 2010), clean, and comfortable, directly across from the beach and 15 minutes south by car from the airport. It is one of Salvador’s best value hotels but not terribly convenient for travelers wanting to explore the historic downtown area, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Still, as former home to poet Vinicius de Moraes, the place has culture and character. The 66 rooms are immaculate and breezy, and there’s also a meeting area for business functions and two swimming pools to appease families and traveling couples wanting a safe and relaxing retreat.

The 121-unit Grande Hotel Da Barra is a three-pearl option with an excellent location right on beautiful Porto da Barra Beach. Rooms are modern and simple, and come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Some have outstanding views of the sea. The on-site restaurant and bar serves international and local fare for all meals, and there's another bar by the outdoor pool. A beauty salon offers hair services, and massage treatments are available. Business guests make use of the events spaces and business center with computers. There's also a small fitness center. Another affordable beachfront option is the Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho, although its beach is rocky and not swimmable, but it has a lovely infinity pool by the beach with a swim-up bar.  

Part of the Sol Express hotel chain, Gran Hotel Stella Maris Resort is a large facility with 334 rooms. Although it has a small business center, it is best suited for visiting families whose first priority is to relax on the beach. Located directly on Stella Maris, one of Salvador’s most scenic (and safest to walk) beaches, the hotel is a bit more than 10 minutes from the airport but about 30 from Salvador’s historic center. Besides walking on the beach, getting anywhere requires a drive or taxi ride. Popular among the locals, the hotel can become rather noisy during high season, but with a large pool and game room, it’s ideal for families and children.