Hotels are mostly located in the center as well as in the nearby bairros of Centro Cívico and Batel. Although prices are quite affordable, many hotels offer discounts during low season and weekends, and prices are often much lower than those quoted.

The Curitiba Eco Hostel (Rua Luís Tramontin 1693, Campo Comprido, tel. 41/3274-7979, www.curitibaecohostel.com.br, R$45–55 d) is much more of a bucolic country retreat than your average urban youth hostel. Attractive wooden lodgings—with dormitory and double rooms—blend harmoniously with the surrounding woods. Rooms (with small balconies) and common spaces are warm and rustic, and there is a large heated pool as well as free Internet and a 24-hour restaurant. The prices are incredible. The only drawback is the location—8 kilometers (5 miles) from the center of town; however, it is easily reached by bus from Praça Rui Barbosa.

The Ibis hotel chain has a slew of good-value bargain hotels in Curitiba. Spotless, efficiently run, although somewhat spartan, the Ibis Centro Cívico (Rua Mateus Leme 358, Centro Cívico, tel. 41/3324-0469, www.ibis.com.br, R$89 d) has a little more character than others in the chain because its restaurant and reception area occupy charming old houses. The Paranaense chain Slaviero also has quite a few options in the capital.

Centrally located, the low-cost Slim (Rua Conselheiro Araújo 435, Alto da XV, tel. 41/3017-1050, www.hotelslaviero.com.br, R$140 d) has modern, comfortable rooms whose only drawback is the bland decor. The reception areas and restaurant are reminiscent of an airport lounge, albeit an airy, sleek one. Frills include a fitness room and Internet access.

At the other end of the spectrum is Slaviero’s Full Jazz Hotel (Rua Silveira Peixoto 1297, Batel, tel. 41/3312-7000, R$264–368 d). One of Curitiba’s rare boutique hotels, its minimalist decor jives nicely with the jazz theme that extends from a jazz CD and DVD library to a cool piano bar. The discreetly decorated rooms, outfitted in pleasing neutral tones, are stylish and comfortable.

Located in a historical landmark building where Curitiba’s very first hotel opened in 1917, the San Juan Charm (Rua Barão do Rio Branco 354, Centro, tel. 41/3219-9900, www.sanjuanhoteis.com.br, R$154–242 d) is all about retro elegance. The palatial-sized luxury suites feature soaring ceilings, polished wooden floors, and antique replicas as well as king-sized beds and swimming pool sized bath tubs.

Nearby, Nikko (Rua Barão Rio Branco 546, Centro, tel. 41/2105-1808, www.hotelnikko.com.br, R$110–180 d) offers an alternative to Curitiba’s more pronounced Polish/German/Ukrainian influences. Hidden behind a 19th-century facade, this refined and modern Japanese hotel offers a soothing atmosphere replete with cool colors, simple geometric forms, vases of flowers, and lots of Oriental touches. Rooms are small, but relaxing, oases. A bamboo garden with a goldfish pond and a sushi bar complete the ode to Japan.