Hotel Ritta Höppner

The Hotel Ritta Höppner is a homey, family-run property with a classic Bavarian structure. The grounds are green and appealing, making use of the natural fauna, but also including lovely landscaped areas and an occasional garden gnome or two. There is a lovely outdoor seating area under a white canopy. Just beyond the quaint white and wooden exterior -- that's adorned with painted details and flower boxes -- guests will find the lobby, one of the more formal spaces here, decorated with marble floors, chandeliers, oil paintings, heavy drapes, and overstuffed couches. Check-in is quick and efficient, and luggage is whisked to rooms promptly. 

Plentiful common areas throughout the hotel make it easy for people to mingle outside their rooms. These homey areas are stocked with knickknacks (or clutter, depending on perspective) but are warm and welcoming with reading materials, a computer, and a large flat-screen TV. This hotel is accustomed to hosting lots of Brazilian visitors but not as many foreigners, so be prepared that conversations in English with staff may be challenging at times. Guests are a mix of families drawn by the wide range of kids' amenities and couples who are seeking a peaceful chalet getaway complete with a private pool.

Situated around the corner from the famed Mini Mundo, the Hotel Ritta Höppner is about a 15-minute walk to downtown Gramado. A park and residential areas immediately surround the hotel. There's a main avenue about a five-minute walk away that conveniently has lots of shops and restaurants. Since this property is a bit of a distance from other area attractions, many guests seem to find it more economic and convenient to rent a car (since parking is free) than to try to get taxis. However, the Gramado Bus Station is also only about a five-minute walk away. The Salgado Filho Airport in Porto Alegre can be reached in a two-hour drive.

Accommodations are divided into two areas with a street between them. There are 15 apartment rooms in the main building and 14 chalets in the other section (with a few more reportedly in the works). Decor is definitely on the homey and feminine side, with lots of pastels and floral patterns. Most rooms have separate living spaces; some have kitchenettes and dining areas. Different layouts and decorative choices make these spaces feel less like standard hotel rooms, and more like private rooms within a home. Modern amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, stocked minibars, and air-conditioning. There are also electric kettles for coffee and tea. Bathrooms are decent in size and offer hairdryers. Some have only showers, while others include spacious whirlpool tubs. Several of the chalets actually have private plunge pools. Rooms in the main building are suites best suited to families, while the chalets provide a quieter and more romantic experience for couples.  

Otto, the on-site restaurant, is a top-notch dining experience with the awards to prove it. Serving German and international cuisine, the decor is traditional (some might say a tad dated) but the stained glass, rich wood accents, and crystal chandeliers add a touch of elegance. The adjacent wooden bar also feels very classic with its high bar stools and booth seating. A daily free breakfast in the Gramado style is served in the deck area, a pretty conservatory with nice tile floors. It includes not only an ample buffet with a large selection of foods, but also a mini-menu at each table should guests desire a fresh crepe or Belgian waffle. Afternoon tea is also offered, and it's a typical English-style affair with coffee and tea selections, and a wide array of finger foods on a three-tiered tray including cakes, pastries, mini-sandwiches, and Brazilian salgados.

The fitness center is quite small, sporting only a few pieces of cardio equipment, a pulley machine, some light dumbbells and bands, and a physioball. There is also a sauna and a massage room. The lovely circular outdoor pool has a few sun loungers and patio furniture surrounding it. It's located in the cottage section, with lots of picturesque little buildings in the vicinity. There is a small kiddy pool adjacent to the main pool as well. The on-site kids' club is built into a 100-year-old building, and everything is adorably child-sized.

Weddings are very popular here, as are birthdays, and there are planning services to help people with coordinating events. Wi-Fi throughout is free.