Regency-style fabrics, carved-wood furniture, and Oriental rugs make this one of the city's most elegant hotels, and a refurbishing has made the place gleam again. You'll sink into the carpeting in the huge, plush, brightly furnished rooms accented with wood carvings and Paraguayan art. The three-story Excelsior Mall is across the street. www.excelsior.com.py. 137 rooms, 12 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bars, tennis court, pool, gym, laundry service, airport shuttle. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Cordial service and opulent, gleaming accommodations are the hallmarks of this lodging, which opened in January 2003. The lobby blooms with plants and works by indigenous artisans and paintings by Michael Burt, one of Paraguay's leading contemporary artists. Rooms come in one of three color schemes (green, light blue, or orange) and all harbor Burt paintings and Guaraní artwork. www.lasmargaritas.com.py. 60 rooms, 17 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, bar, pool, gym, laundry service, airport shuttle, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Peace Corps volunteers in Asunción on business or pleasure dub this place, just east of downtown, their favorite, and their presence here gives the hotel a youthful exuberance. Modern, high-ceiling rooms are simply furnished with two beds, a desk, and a chair. The low prices make this a solid budget bet. 22 rooms. In-hotel: restaurant, pool, laundry service, minibar. AE, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Just two blocks from the Plaza de los Héroes, this comfortable lodging has conveniences usually reserved for more expensive establishments. All rooms have contemporary furnishings. Business travelers have access to fax machines and computers. 44 rooms, 4 suites. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

The tranquillity of the forest surrounding this hotel is a welcoming change from the noise and crowds of Asunción. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and all have views of Lago Ypacaraí. Try the restaurant for lunch, where you can order locally prepared surubí and bori-bori. 12 rooms, 6 suites. In-room: no phone. In-hotel: restaurant, pool, laundry service, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

The sleek, orange-brick high-rise facing Plaza Uruguaya goes out of its way to impress: in the lobby, a giant chandelier shimmers above Oriental rugs, enormous urns, and a grand staircase. Rooms are less regal, but bright and comfortable. A breakfast buffet is included. www.sabecenterhotel.com.py. 91 rooms. In-room: safe. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, gym, laundry service, public Internet, airport shuttle, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Continental breakfast.

Built in the mid-19th century as a private residence for the López family, and transformed into a hospital during the War of the Triple Alliance, this beaux arts-style hotel is now a national landmark. It's certainly charming, though a few of the rooms are noisy. Others are quite nice and peaceful; ask to see one before taking it. All are simply furnished, but this is a good budget option. 25 rooms, 2 suites. In-room: refrigerator, no TV (some). In-hotel: restaurant, bar. DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Friendly, attentive service is the hallmark of this comfortable, if rather unremarkably decorated, lodging. The carpeted rooms are large, but the beds are small. A tasty breakfast is included in the rate. www.hotelchaco.com.py. 72 rooms. In-room: dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, laundry service, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Continental breakfast.

This hotel opened by the owners of the Hotel Excelsior lacks the frills of its pricier sibling. Rooms, many with hardwood floors, are pleasantly furnished with dark greens and golds. Each has an in-room data port -- a rarity at this price range. www.excelsior.com.py. 23 rooms, 1 suite. In-room: dial-up. In-hotel: laundry service, airport shuttle, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Replicating the sensibility of a grand old Latin American hotel, this place gives you colonial style with modern amenities. The attentive staff greets you in an opulent lobby filled with lush greenery. The modern rooms are much more subdued, decorated with carved wooden armoires and handicrafts. www.granadospark.com.py. 68 rooms, 3 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, gym, concierge, laundry service, public Internet, airport shuttle, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

This remodeled riverside resort 13 km (8 mi) southeast of Asunción has regained its reputation as one of South America's finest hotels. Some of the rooms, which are decorated with leather furniture, open onto verdant patios where hummingbirds nest in the foliage. You'll find plenty of recreational options here. www.hotelyacht.com.py. 116 rooms, 12 suites. In-hotel: 4 restaurants, bar, golf course, tennis courts, pool, gym, spa, beachfront, laundry service, public Internet, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

Priding itself on personalized attention, this hotel has won a devoted clientele. Rooms are large, though slightly austere. The sixth-floor terrace has a pool with a terrific bay view. Adjacent to the hotel you'll find an excellent deli and pastry shop. www.uninet.com.py/cecilia. 50 rooms. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, gym, laundry service, airport shuttle. AE, DC, MC, V. Continental breakfast.

On the shores of Lago Ypacaraí, this low-key Spanish-style hotel offers simple, clean rooms with comfortable beds. The rustic restaurant's forte is roast beef or pork, cooked in a wood-fire oven and served with sopa paraguaya. 23 rooms. In-hotel: restaurant, pool, laundry service, minibar. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

The suites in this hotel are popular with business travelers. Each suite includes a sitting room, a dining area, and a kitchenette. The furnishings differ markedly from room to room: "classic" rooms tend toward lots of carved wood, while "contemporary" rooms have more modern furnishings. Both types are equally plush. www.manduara.com.py. 82 suites. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, gym, laundry service, airport shuttle. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.

An abundance of greenery greets you as you enter this modern, 15-story hotel. The sleek black-and-white lobby has an executive bar where you can enjoy a cocktail. Many of the rather small rooms, which are redecorated every year, have views of the bay. Each contains a data port where you can plug in your laptop; if you didn't bring it along, the hotel's business center offers four terminals. www.hotelinternacional.com.py. 70 rooms, 26 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, gym, public Internet, airport shuttle. AE, DC, MC, V. Full breakfast.