I'm visiting Salvador for 3 weeks from June 30th with my wife and 16-year old son.

I have a conference for 5 days in Hotel Othon, but have been told that
this is a ghastly hotel to stay in - your views on this, and good
nearby p[laces to stay would be interesting. (Preferably cheap and
local - not 'international')

Also, any ideas for what to do for 3 weeks? We don;t want to wear
ourswelves out travelling, but would like to retrun home feeling we
have 'done' this part of Brazil. (WE have decided not to fly around -
we'll just go somewhere locally)

Hi johnbibby

I had the pleasure of staying in Salvador for 3 nights is my travels
through Brazil in December 2005. it is a beautiful old city that has
its own unique personality. Nightly street parties are a regular
occurrence with travelling drum bands travelling along the cobbled
streets.

In terms of accommodation the Hotel Othon looked ?ok? from the outside
but I was staying in budget hotels so it was somewhat out of my price
range. Some websites to help you find alternative accommodation would
be

http://www.brazilhotel.net/brazil-city/Salvador.html

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=htwv&from=m&stat=1&khst=1&locn=Salvador%2C+Brazil&ploc=Salvador%2C+Brazil&loid=&eapid=13556-1&kword=Salvador%20Brazil%20hotel&&zz=1138851421117&

However the main reason for this comment was to inform you about a
beautiful little island just off Salvador, its name is Morro de São
Paulo. I was only supposed to spend a few days there but ended up
spending 2 weeks. It has beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets and
dolphins that love to swim with you and a great nightlife (if that?s
what you are after).Another amazing feature is that cars are outlawed
so all goods (including luggage from the dock to your hotel) is
carried by the locals using wheel barrows. Accommodation ranges and
caters for pretty much whatever you are looking for, from budget
hostels to upper class hotels.

Getting there from Salvador is fairly easy simply depart from the Port
of Mercado Modelo, in Salvador, there are several ferries to Morro de
São Paulo. it is a beautiful ferry(approx 2 hours) ride, however the
water is rough on occasion so if you get sea sick, take some lotion
sickness pills before hand.

Some contact details for the ferry transport operators are 
?  Catamarã Biotur | Valen?a : (75) 3641-3327 | 3641-0551
 Salvador: (71) 3326-7674 
?  Catamarã Farol do Morro | (75) 3652-1036 
?  IlhaBela TM | (71) 9132 8262 / (71) 9195-6744 / (71) 3326-7158

If you do go to Morro de São Paulo you won?t regret it. Here are some
sources about the Island

http://www.morrodesaopaulo.com.br/main.shtml

http://www.amazonadventures.com/morro.htm

http://www.bahia-online.net/morrodesaopaulo.htm

http://community.webshots.com/album/9650303CKyiuntMys

Enjoy your trip to Brazil, a truly beautiful country

Thanks scud69 - that was really helpful.

(Can you tell us the budget place where you stayed - was it any good?)

JOHN

I stayed at the Othon in Salvador several years ago, and it was really wonderful.
Maybe today it has changed???
It is right on the beach with wonderful view.
Check it out at www.hotelinsite.com.br where you will find many other
alternatives in Salvador and other places in Bahia.
When you are in Salvador, don't forget to visit the "Forte sao
Marcelo" in front of the city.
Also there is the Itaparica island not far from the coast.
Good luck.

Hi,

I live in Salvador. Othon is a good hotel, five star and very good to
stay. Near there, you can go to some beaches.

The Zoo is only three bus point from... You can see tropicals animals
from many locations of brazilian northwest...

Another Othon-near place to go is the Ondina Campus of UFBA (Federal
University in Bahia, www.ufba.br), I am a student of this University.

My english isn't good, sorry...

More information about the Salvador Beaches and the rest of other
beaches aroung brazil at
http://www.worldmostbeautifulbeaches.com/Brazil-Beaches-Travel-Information.htm