Hotel da Bahia by Wish is a twelve-floor modernist landmark from 1950, set on the Avenida Sete de Setembro in the Vitória district, facing the Campo Grande square. The building is known for its collection of hundreds of artworks displayed in the public spaces, which gives the lobby and corridors the feel of a gallery. It is a large, full-service hotel with two outdoor pools, a children's pool and a poolside bar, and it suits families and groups that want facilities as well as a central address. The setting is less atmospheric than Pelourinho but more convenient for getting around the city. Rooms range from Superior doubles and twins to Premier rooms with city views and a larger Executive Suite, and there is a Junior Suite for those who want more space. A full breakfast is served every morning and is included in the rate shown by the hotel, which is a real advantage over many central hotels. The Natin Spa offers massages and facials, with a sauna and a steam room, and two restaurants serve Bahian cooking with Italian and Iberian touches, together with a buffet. Free wifi is available in public areas.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on the Avenida Sete de Setembro, with the Campo Grande square across the street. The Castro Alves Theatre is about five minutes on foot, the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia and the Lapa shopping mall are each around seven minutes, and the Federal University of Bahia is about ten minutes away. Porto da Barra and the lighthouse are nearby, though you will want a short ride to get there.
The historic centre is a short car ride away, and the airport is roughly twenty-five minutes by car. The facilities and the food: the pools and the poolside bar are the main attraction for most guests, and the spa gives a welcome change after days of sightseeing. Genaro by Vini Figueira is the more upscale restaurant, with a menu of Bahian dishes with Italian and Iberian influences, and the Passeio da Vitória buffet is the more casual option.
The art collection and the modernist architecture reward a slow walk through the public spaces, and some guests enjoy simply wandering the building. What to know: this is an older building with a large number of rooms, so the standard varies, and a few guests find the rooms and finishes simpler than the grand public spaces suggest. Ask for a recently refurbished room, request a higher floor for the view and confirm that the pool hours suit your plans.
Breakfast is included, which helps with value, and the hotel is a good option for families who want a pool and a children's pool. Prices rise around Carnival, New Year and the Iemanjá festival, so book early. Pair it with a day in Barra, an evening at the Castro Alves Theatre if there is a performance and a morning in the historic centre by car.
Why stay here
- ✓Two outdoor pools and a children's pool
- ✓Poolside bar
- ✓Full spa with sauna and steam room
- ✓Two on-site restaurants
- ✓Full breakfast included
- ✓Modernist building with hundreds of artworks
- ✓Executive and junior suites
- ✓Free wifi in public areas
Good questions
Where is Hotel da Bahia by Wish?+
It is on the Avenida Sete de Setembro in the Vitória district, facing Campo Grande square, about five minutes on foot from the Castro Alves Theatre.
Does the hotel have a spa and a pool?+
Yes. There are two outdoor pools, a children's pool and a poolside bar, plus the Natin Spa with massages, facials, a sauna and a steam room.
Is breakfast included?+
A full breakfast is served every morning and is shown as included in the hotel's rate, but confirm this when you book.
