The 95-room Hotel Unique is a trendy pick near Sao Paulo's equivalent of Central Park. The rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool all overlook the park and have beautiful skyline views. The all-white rooms have a bit of a South Beach vibe and feature sexy open bathrooms with separate showers and soaking tubs (though some guests might think they lack privacy). In-room amenities include big flat-screen TVs, different pillow treats every day, and 24-hour room service. Hotel highlights include a large, open lobby with patterned rugs, funky furniture, and a nice lobby bar. An indoor pool, fitness center, steam room, and sauna are all available on-site. While this boat-shaped hotel is not located in the most central neighborhood, it is near attractions such as the Modern Art Museum, Ibirapuera Park, and restaurants.

The enormous and upscale Renaissance Sao Paulo has a lot going on: it’s a popular wedding venue, fast access to Paulista Avenue, an event center with more than 20,000-square-feet of space, three restaurants, a (surprisingly small) pool, a spa, a huge fitness center, and even a 200-seat theater. That’s not to say that they rooms aren’t notable -- they’re also a highlight, with spacious marble bathrooms and city views. This business-traveler focused mega-hotel is much like the city of Sao Paulo itself: bustling, chic, and worldly. The major downsides are a small pool and some street noise from the road. For a smaller and cheaper alternative near Paulista Avenue, check rates at the Landmark Residence Hotel. 

The 76-room L'Hotel Porto Bay attracts mainly business travelers due to its location near financial firms and offices. The decor is classic -- some might say on the verge of dated -- but many guests praise its small size and comfortable rooms. Beyond the large marble lobby, the rooms are elegant, if a bit bland, with floral curtains and neutral tones. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. The hotel does have a spa with a nice sauna, though stark treatment rooms aren't particularly inviting. Hotel highlights include an attractive restaurant with a nice terrace, a small gym, and an indoor pool with an open roof.

This mid-range hotel is located in the emerging Pinheiros neighborhood, situated between the nightlife of Vila Madelena and the upscale shopping of Jardins. The hotel’s distinguishing feature is that all it’s rooms are suites, which offer more space than standard rooms in the area, including a small seating area -- some units have space for a kitchette. Beyond the rooms, the amenities -- a drab restaurant with a free breakfast buffet, tiny lobby bar, and rooftop lap pool -- are functional but uninspired. For families or business travelers looking for rooms with extra space, the Comfort Suites Oscar Friere offers a good value. But for a stay in Pinheiros with more style (but smaller rooms) check out the nearby Mercure Sao Paulo Pinheiros Hotel at a similar price point.

Maksoud Plaza has been a well-known establishment in Sao Paulo for decades. This storied four-pearl hotel with 416 rooms and suites has a vibe that oscillates between vintage and, perhaps too often, dated. Nothing about the hotel is boring -- one-of-a-kind features include a vintage bar named after Frank Sinatra, an indoor pool, and a habitable art installation. While the history and grandeur might dazzle at first, the devil is in the details: carpets are worn, furniture is old-fashioned, bathrooms are overdue for updates. It’s true that some elements don’t live up to the upscale category, but when considering all the hotel offers at reasonable prices, the Maksoud becomes an appealing option with charm for days. A much more modern luxury alternative is the Tivoli Mofarrej -- but prices are higher. 

The 398-room, 23-floor Melia Paulista hotel is distinguished mainly by its superb location on Paulista Avenue, Sao Paulo's main thoroughfare. Numerous restaurants, shops, bars, and clubs are in the area, and Consolacao metro station is adjacent to the hotel, putting the rest of the city within easy reach. While this hotel lacks the swimming pool of the nearby Feller and the luxury and service of Sao Paulo's top hotels like the Emiliano and Fasano, the Melia is a solid if unspectacular mid-range business hotel with reasonable rates, considering its location. Rooms are clean and contemporary, and the property has a fitness center and restaurant with a breakfast buffet. 

The Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera is a typical mid-range chain-style hotel in the amicable Moema neighborhood of Sao Paulo. While there’s plenty of dining, shopping, and Ibirapuera Park close by, the hotel isn’t located near a metro station and is far from the main Paulista area. It’s popular with business travelers who are keeping an eye on the budget, but are accustomed to amenities like free hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The 84 contemporary rooms feature flat-screen TVs, balconies, and bedside power outlets -- but some units have mismatched finishes. For those with a bit more money to spend, the Melia Ibirapuera has a heated lap pool and chicer rooms. 

The three-and-a-half-pearl Melia has a cosmopolitan feel and some of the polish of an upscale property, offering a good value. The 350 rooms and suites have decent updates, including nice wood finishes and flat-screen TVs. The stylish lobby bar and indoor pool are the stars of the show, and there's an international restaurant. The location, however, is not for everyone. It’s located far from the popular Paulista Avenue thoroughfare and it's about two miles from the closest metro stop. But for those looking to stay in the Moema neighborhood and near Ibirapuera Park, the Melia Ibirapuera offers a more refined style and nicer amenities than many of its nearby competitors. Comfort Hotel Ibirapuera offers lower rates, free hot breakfast, and an outdoor pool. 

The Hotel Comfort Nova Paulista is a standard, budget chain hotel with updated furnishings, though it's generic style feels quite plain in vibrant Sao Paulo. The 171 guest rooms arranged over 19 floors cater to both value-minded business travelers and families alike. Rooms are arguable the most appealing part of the hotel, since they're decorated with bold colors. There’s a simple restaurant (breakfast included), an outdoor pool, and a tiny fitness room, but overall the amenities don't stand out. While not actually located on Paulista Avenue, the hotel is situated close to the metro. It’s a reliable, budget-friendly option with few surprises, but also little personality. For something with a bit more pizazz, check rates at the nearby EZ Aclimacao Hotel. 

The Landmark Residence is a value hotel with 49 rooms arranged over 13 floors in the heart of Sao Paulo. The hotel’s best feature is undoubtedly its location in the Jardins District, just two blocks from bustling Paulista Avenue. While the decor in some of the guest rooms has a '90s vibe, the hotel has elements that appeal to value-minded families or business travelers on longer stays. For example, all rooms include a small kitchenette, suites offer spacious living rooms, there’s a squash court, European restaurant, and a nice outdoor pool area. Overall, the Landmark Residence might work for those in need of a kitchen or a larger space while on a budget, but for most travelers to Jardins, check out the nearby Mercure São Paulo Jardins Hotel -- but rates are slightly higher.

Centrally located in the popular neighborhood of Jardins, the mid-range HB Ninety is a contemporary hotel that focuses on business travelers. The large property features 246 suites over 23 floors, including VIP Rooms on an upper levels with great city views. The spacious rooms all include separate seating areas and flat-screen TVs, though the decor is inconsistent and a bit dated. A lovely garden restaurant, small rooftop pool, dated fitness room, and squash court round out the amenities. Parking is included for guests -- a key feature for those with a car. While it doesn't have the polish of nearby upscale options, the HB Ninety provides a good value for business travelers who seek extra space or need easy parking. As an alternative, the nearby Golden Tulip has a bigger pool.