By Giovanna Simonetti
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The drop in temperatures across the country also brought the desire to stay under the covers, have a good wine and eat warm food. To take advantage of the season, Forbes has made a selection of high-end accommodations where you can have these and other perks. From the countryside to the mountains and canyons, see 10 hotels ideal for enjoying the cold weather in comfort. Check it out below:
CAPIM DO MATO INN & SPA
Location: Jaboticatubas (MG)
In Serra do Cipó National Park, this inn, owner of the Condé Nast Johansens luxury accommodation seal, is surrounded by nature – between mountains, canyons, waterfalls and rocky fields. Super reserved, there are only seven accommodations, with emphasis on the luxury bungalow, with hot tub, deck, super king size bed with Trousseau covering and two high pressure showers.
The inn also has a Brazilian food restaurant with local ingredients and a spa signed by the French brand L’Occitane en Provence – with two swimming pools, chaises overlooking the mountains, hot tub and whirlpool rooms, steam room and a menu of massages with body and facial treatments. A night’s stay starts at around R$1,000 and can go up to over R$2,000, depending on the type of room and time of year.
CASA MARAMBAIA
Location: Petropolis (RJ)
Boutique hotel opened in 2020 in Corrêas, in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Casa Marambaia has just eight suites in a 1947 mansion, built amid gardens designed by Burle Marx. Between 25 and 55 square meters, the rooms overlook the mountains or the nature-filled courtyard of the site. Gastronomy is also a major focus of the hotel, with a restaurant led by Roland Villard and David Mansaud, which highlights vegetables harvested on the farm and in the surroundings. Experiences include a wine tasting, farm bike rides and spa massages. Daily rates start at R$1,250 and can reach R$3,900, depending on the room and time of year.
COLLINE DE FRANCE
Location: Gramado (RS)
Voted the best hotel in the world in 2021 and the 2nd best this year by TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards, the Colline de France was designed to be a small and intimate French retreat for couples and families, in a quiet area away from the center of Gramado. There are just 34 rooms, from 22 to 42 square meters, with hand-carved furniture, exquisite chandeliers and ostentatious decor that varies between each one of them – some even inspired by the color palette of famous luxury brands. The hotel also has a wellness center and a bistro that mixes French and Brazilian cuisine. Daily rates start at R$1,300 and can reach more than R$5,000 depending on the season and room category.
HOTEL E SPA DO VINHO (WINE HOTEL AND SPA)
Location: Bento Gonçalves (RS)
For those who like to enjoy wine in winter, this is the ideal place. Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel is located on a hill in the heart of Vale dos Vinhedos, one of the most important wine regions in the country. Conceived as a tribute to the winemaking culture and inspired by the architecture of Tuscany, it produces its own wine, the exclusive Merlot “VE”, from the estate’s vines.
It also houses another 660 labels, a tasting room, a basement and a store with a capacity for 40,000 bottles – the largest hotel cellar in the country. Local grapes are still used at VINO.SPA, with wine therapy treatments, as well as a therapeutic pool, wet sauna and hydromassage. It is also possible to take a balloon ride through the vineyards. Daily rates start at R$1,600.
HOTEL PARADOR
Location: Cambará do Sul (RS)
Inspired by African lodges and with the concept of glamping (luxury camps), this hotel has several accommodation options to enjoy the mountains: chalets, suites, bungalows, tents and even “cocoons” integrated with nature. Accommodations include a deck with a whirlpool, fireplace and beautiful countryside views. In addition to a restaurant with a seasonal menu cooked in a wood-fired oven, the Parador has horseback riding, quads or mountain bikes, hikes to discover the canyons and waterfalls in the region and even a hot air balloon ride. A night there starts at R$1,200 and can exceed R$4,000 depending on the room chosen.
MORADA DOS CANYONS
Location: Praia Grande (SC)
On the edge of the canyons of the Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral national parks, the hotel has a privileged view at more than 650 meters of altitude of the rock formations and even the coast on the horizon. In all, there are 11 chalets and two country houses available – some with a private heated pool.
POUSADA QUINTA DOS PINHAIS
Location: Santo Antônio do Pinhal (SP)
At an altitude of 1,400 meters, the accommodation has impressive views of Serra da Mantiqueira and Pedra do Baú. There are four types of accommodation: bungalows, villas, chalets and country house – some with private pools, hot tub, sauna, fireplace and panoramic views at heights that make guests feel like they are on cloud nine.
The common structure of the inn has a heated pool, dry and wet saunas, L’Occitane spa with massages and immersion baths overlooking the mountains, trails, fishing, horseback riding, lake, vegetable garden, in addition to a bistro. Daily rates start at around R$2,000 and can exceed R$26,000 for large groups of up to 10 people.
POUSADA TANKAMANA
Location: Itaipava (RJ)
In Vale do Cuiabá, this inn has the ideal romantic atmosphere to enjoy the mountains of the Rio de Janeiro mountain range. In all, there are 16 chalets isolated from each other, with attractions such as a fireplace, hot tubs, whirlpools or even a hydrospa and shower integrated with nature (in the case of the most complete of them, with 80 square meters). Tankamana’s structure has two swimming pools – one with natural water and the other heated outdoors -, a movie theater, spa and a restaurant signed by chef Bertrand Martene with ingredients grown on the property or from local producers in the mountains.
There, it is also possible to have picnics on the mountain, trails in the Atlantic Forest, home garden classes or nature photography and bird watching. Daily rates vary between R$900 and R$3,000, depending on the chalet category and month.
SIX SENSES BOTANIQUE
Location: Between Campos do Jordão, São Bento do Sapucaí and Santo Antônio do Pinhal (SP)
The hills of Serra da Mantiqueira are home to the first unit in the Americas of the international luxury chain Six Senses (originating in Thailand). The boutique hotel has seven suites in the main building and 13 villas, from 100 to 350 square meters (the largest of which even has a private pool), with fireplaces, an intimate look and incredible views of the valley. Highlight for the spa complex, which includes four treatment rooms, beauty salon, sauna and steam room with “rain” from the rainforest, an isotonic pool and a floating room in salt water. Daily rates start at R$2,900 and can go up to R$4,000, depending on the accommodation and time of travel.
UNIQUE GARDEN
Location: Mairiporã (SP)
Next to an Atlantic Forest preservation area, close to the Cantareira State Park, the 300,000 square meter hotel has 29 chalets designed by renowned architect Ruy Othake – each with perks such as an infinity pool and mini jacuzzi. The most exclusive accommodation of all is the House of Shiraz, with 480 square meters, glass ceiling, fireplace, private pool, marble bath, gazebo overlooking the lake and bed by the Dutch brand Auping.
Among the common areas are the “farm to table” restaurant by chef Daniel Aquino, spa with different therapies and massages, sauna, swimming pools, fitness space and tennis and beach tennis courts. It is also possible to take a tour and get to know a little more about the fauna and flora of the property, as well as its vegetable garden. Daily rates start from R$2,200.