‘Unique’ Sao Paulo

By Joe Pike Jul 16, 2012 1:00am

Unique Garden Spa & Resort is surrounded by the largest forest reserve in an urban area in the world.

For a vibrant business city like Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Unique Hotels’ two tranquil, boutique resorts seem out of place. And that’s exactly why they work.

Travel Agent recently met with representatives of the brand to talk about their two properties in Sao Paulo that preach the very opposite of the town they are located in.

Once guests enter either Hotel Unique or Unique Garden Spa & Resort, the only business that will be conducted is the business of health and wellness.

About Sao Paulo

This city can definitely be considered a distant cousin of either Manhattan or Tokyo as its noise, beauty, culture and art draw in thousands of tourists on any given week. It’s a great destination for foodies, art enthusiasts and those looking to do some high-end shopping.

Art lovers should check out the city’s most beautiful art museum, Pinacoteca, which is actually housed in an old high school building. The best spot for shopping is the upscale neighborhood of Jardim, which is near Ibirapuera Park. The park hosts the internationally famous show, Sao Paulo Fashion Week, two times in a year, once in January, showcasing the fall collection, and the other in June with the spring collection.

Museu Paulista Universidade de Sao Paulo, commonly known as the Museu do Ipiranga, was built near the spot where Dom Pedro I declared Brazilian independence from Portugal in 1822. It was reportedly modeled after the palace and gardens at Versailles and was designed to educate visitors about the history of the city and Brazil. Exhibits include art and artifacts spanning four centuries of Brazilian history.

Some recommended dining options here include Restaurante Figueira Rubaiyat, Speranza and Kaá. The dining room at Restaurante Figueira Rubaiyat is built around an enormous fig tree, and huge branches have been glassed in. This is where clients will get some very good fish and seafood (including Brazilian fish like the tucunaré, tambaqui and pirarucu) plus delicious steaks.

Speranza opened its doors over 50 years ago and is still the pizza place of choice for discerning Paulistas. The restaurant doesn’t have a website, but agents can call 011-55-11-3288-8502 to make reservations for their clients.

Kaá’s main draw is its visual appeal. For example, there is a 4,300-square-foot vertical garden and a wall draped in plant species from the Mata Atlântica—the rain forest Sao Paulo used to be a part of. For reservations, call 011-55-11-3045-0043.

Hotel Unique

A well-known part of the Sao Paulo cityscape for a decade now, Hotel Unique is something of an urban work of art—and the rooftop bar is the hotel’s masterpiece.

Museu Paulista Universidade de Sao Paulo is modeled after the palace and gardens at Versailles.

There are 95 rooms, including 10 suites. Hotel Unique’s rooftop pool overlooking Ibirapuera Park affords impressive views of the city, while Skye Bar & Restaurant, helmed by French Chef Emmanuel Bassoleil, is consistently ranked among the world’s best.

The property is located in the heart of Jardim, the most upscale neighborhood in Sao Paulo, by Ibirapuera Park, the site of Sao Paulo Fashion Week and musical events throughout the year. Hotel Unique is located off Avenida Paulista in the cultural and financial heart of Brazil.

Perhaps the best feature here is the rooftop pool with an underwater sound system. This just seems like the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail at night when the city is all lit up.

There is also a fitness center with modern equipment and personal trainers (exclusive to hotel guests). Another nice touch the resort provides is a glass of champagne upon check-in.

The domestic Congonhas Airport is just 15 minutes away and Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is only 40 minutes distant.

Book this for younger clients looking to take in Sao Paulo’s nightlife at a modern resort that emphasizes health and wellness. Think girls’ or guys’ getaways.

Unique Garden Spa & Resort

Situated in the Cantareira State Park in Sao Paulo, Unique Garden Spa & Resort lends itself to relaxation as it is surrounded by the largest forest reserve in an urban area in the world.

It is about 30 miles away from the international airport, about 45 miles away from the downtown airport and about 45 miles from the Viracopos-Campinas International Airport. There is also a heliport with receptive service on property.

There are 26 chalets, which are like small homes native to the Alpine region in Europe, made of wood, with a heavy, gently sloping roof. Among the best are Vila Mediterranea, which comes with an impressively large veranda, and Vila Contemporanea, which is on the hilltop overlooking the main hotel and comes with a fireplace.

Spa Unique Garden includes 21 private therapy rooms plus five kiosks around the property for special treatments. There is a menu of more than 80 therapies and beauty treatments, inspired by Brazilian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, European, North American and Mayan cultures.

The resort also offers its own mineral water, recognized as one of the best in the world and contains elements that naturally hydrate the skin and are a beauty tonic. Spa rituals such as Watsu, Vichy Shower and Ofuro Baths are designed to take advantage of these benefits.

Unique Garden Spa & Resort has a sharp focus on healthy living. All the food at the restaurant includes organic ingredients, and there is also a heavy emphasis on meditation at the resort. It offers yoga, t’ai chi ch’uan, meditation Tibetan rituals and more. Book this hotel for your health-conscious clients who like to stay in good shape on vacation. This would be a great fit for younger couples and girls’ getaways.

Contact

Agents looking for more information on either property can reach out to Melissa Oliveira ([email protected], 011-55-11-3055-4728), managing director for Hotel Unique.

Hotel Unique is something of an urban work of art.

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