We stay in Salvador for the last 4 days in January (including 31 Jan the first night of Carnival). It was a excelent experience: Salvador is great, people are friendly (don't trust people afraid of their own shadows) and most of all hotel Catharina is wonderfull. Staff is friendly and very eficient, rooms are clean and nice, breakfast is very good. The location is good, not far from old city (about 10 min by taxi). Near hotel there is a beach but if you need something better try beaches outside town. Try Praia do Forte (60 km out of town - there are plenty of excursions; place is good also for snorkeling and the village very cute)
Andrew& Lili

The hotel is nice from the interior. The location is good, nice neighbourhood, good restaurants. Beware of a room next to the street. It can get very noisy of the traffic outside. Also: in the weekend you may hear loud music from the pub on the opposite of the hotel.

We were there in December of 2003. The hotel is small and personal, with artisitic touches throughout. The desk man, Marcos, speaks very good English. He was our own personal concierge--giving us perfect recommendations (where to see the sunset, what local concert to check out). The breakfast is also very good (included in the rate). We also enjoyed the fact that it is outside Pelhourino (which is quite touristy). Located in Rio Vermelho, this place is closer to the great beaches in the north, but also close enough to Pelhourino as to make it a 5 minute drive. If you are going to go to the beaches, I recommend renting a car during your stay (the hotel has free secure parking). It's relatively inexpensive, and great to have the mobility. If you go, please tell Marcos that Todd and Steve say hello.