Most tourists (and guidebooks) mysteriously overlook the elegant residential neighborhood of Higienópolis when it comes to hotel listings. Although accommodations here are sparse, there are some good bargains, and the bairro itself is not only attractive, tranquil, and safe, but centrally located.
The modern, nondescript rooms at Ville Hotel (Rua Dona Viridiana 643, Higienópolis, tel. 11/3257-5288, www.hotelville.com.br [1], R$110 d) are not very stylish, but they are fairly spacious. Furthermore, the price and the location (only a short walk from Santa Cecilia Mêtro) are quite unbeatable.
More attractive are the impressively large condo-style accommodations at Tryp Higienópolis (Rua Maranhão 371, Higienópolis, tel. 11/3665-8200, www.solmelia.com [2], R$155–220 d), a hotel that is part of the Spanish Meliá chain. Light, bright, and warmly accessorized, the rooms are a terrific bargain, particularly when you factor in the sundeck and swimming pool.
Links:
[1] http://www.hotelville.com.br
[2] http://www.solmelia.com