Brazil: Luxury resort with lake bungalows marks family history in Paraná State

In the rural area of ​​the municipality of Teixeira Soares, in the interior of the State of Paraná, the dawn between the araucarias and a pine forest is ruled by a symphony of queros, jays, swallows and… fish. Yes, fish. Dawn seems to be the happy hour of the shoals that move in the lake that still gives off a fog typical of a cold morning in the prairies of Paraná.

When in doubt if the aquatic frenzy is still a remnant of a dream, just look at the side of the bed. In front of the fireplace, a glass plate on the floor allows you to see the rippling waters — and, through an opening, even feed the fish.

We are in Bangalô do Lago, a wooden chalet that ‘floats’ on the water supported by a stilt-style structure. Accommodation in the style of a ‘mountain house’ is the star of the Virá Charme Resort, an elegant farm hotel just over 150 kilometers from Curitiba. And more than that, it is the realization of a dream of the Gryczynski family — so many consonants denote Polish ancestry — in a path marked by pioneering spirit.

At a time when the Airbnb hosting model was still a distant idea – and, come on, a little strange – the couple David and Ieda turned the simple house into the farm into a place for family, friends and visitors. They gave up their own bed and, sometimes, with the three rooms full, they would sleep in the living room to make their guests comfortable. Ieda cooked and her husband managed horseback riding and fishing afternoons. It was a year of this experience until I decided to actually create a hotel.

“They said we were crazy to build a place in the middle of nowhere,” says David.

The answer he gave was on the tip of his tongue: “We will be the tourist destination”. The 3-centimeter ads printed in the classifieds of the newspaper Gazeta do Povo — the ‘posts’ possible back in 1998 — tried to convince the residents of Curitiba to leave the capital to enjoy the weekend at the farm. “And people really started to come”, remembers the owner.

SUSTAINABLE

From the engineering profession came the concern, from the beginning, with sustainability. Each new bungalow built on the 170-hectare site was given a private grove of trees next to it. Not by chance: in the summer, the shade of the trees protects the walls from the strong afternoon sun, which reduces the need for air conditioning and saves energy. “In winter, when the leaves fall, the sun warms the walls and guarantees thermal comfort”, explains David.

The pine forest that borders the lake not only makes up the backdrop for that idyllic sunrise in the 38 chalets — four of which are on the water. It is from this reforestation project run by the family that came the wood that formed the basis of part of the resort’s structures, such as the central restaurant, the children’s space and the so-called Casa de Banho, a rustic-chic building with a sauna and outdoor and indoor pools, both overlooking the lake. The forest also serves the firewood that fuels the fireplaces in all rooms.

FROM FARM TO PLATE

Sustainability is also on the table. The farm-to-table concept — a gastronomy and hospitality trend that values ​​fresh flavors and local cultivation or small rural producers — is reflected in the resort’s organic vegetable garden. There, most of the spices, greens, vegetables and fruits used in the composition of the dishes served in the restaurant are planted.

What is not produced on the Gryczynski lands comes from neighboring farms, rural colonies and suppliers in the region, fueling the local economy — another feature of the farm-to-table concept. Naturally fermented breads, both sweet and savory, such as bolo de barreado — a meat stew cooked in a clay pot, typical of Paraná — and rib pie, travel around 35 kilometers from the small town of Rebouças to Virá.

“This is how it is here, one raises the quality of the others, and everyone evolves”, says Everton de Souza, who runs Lopes Padaria. To choose the best flour for chestnut breads, focaccias and the slices that make up its famous pastrami sandwich, for example, Everton tested many factories in the region until he found a mill in neighboring Irati with wheat from “It’s 100% from Paraná, and with a terroir that results in really flavorful bread.”

Irati is also where the sausage suppliers are located. At the Feira do Produtor Iratiense, the Brandalize family stand is the right destination to select sausages, smoked cups, pancetta and discover delicacies such as bacon roll and pork cheese, prepared with offal. “It’s been more than 20 years of this history. And the tradition will continue”, says producer Agostinho Brandalize looking at his son, Diego, who also opened in 2021 his own charcuterie brand, D’Brand, with a more gourmet touch.

NEW GENERATION, OTHER IDEAS

The baton is also being passed on at Virá. The children Marina and Iago joined their parents in charge of the complex and injected new features. “She traveled all over Italy visiting spas before we set up here,” says David. That old house that gave rise to the resort now houses a spa by the French brand L’Occitane, with massages, aesthetic treatments and an outdoor area amidst the vegetation, with a hot tub.

But truly deep relaxation is promised at the floating spa, which opened this year. A stone path leads to the new building with huge windows overlooking a bamboo grove and wood and stone architecture. The natural coatings contrast with the futuristic air of the flotation capsule, where the guest floats in a solution of super saline water — more than that of the Dead Sea, for example — and, enclosed in this “cocoon”, spends about 50 minutes in an immersive experience—already described as the sensation of returning to the mother’s womb.

ON LAND AND IN WATER

For those who prefer to immerse themselves in nature, activities explore the local landscapes. It is worth taking the two-kilometer signposted trail that goes around the lake through the pine forest. The farm can also be explored by bicycle, buggy or horseback — prefer the gallop tour at the end of the day (paid separately; the morning is free), which takes you to an elevated area to enjoy the sunset with a panoramic view. the forest, the animals in the pasture, the lake and the rural properties that surround the resort.

A highlight of the stay, the lake is also the stage for activities such as fishing, pedal boats, kayaking and the practice of stand up paddle – if you have the courage to get up early, in colder seasons, when the sun starts to appear, a mist rises from the water. creates a beautiful natural spectacle. The starting point for the aquatic options is a bar with a deck over the lake, the perfect option to order a drink afterwards and end the day as it started, with a symphony of queens, rooks, swallows and… fish.

Service:

Virá Charme Resort

Accommodation: there are 38 chalets, in 5 categories, from apartment to lake bungalow Rates: from R$1,440 per couple (apartment chalet) to R$2,880 per couple (lake bungalow), with full board (breakfast , lunch and dinner, except drinks)

Website: viracharmeresort.com.br

The journalist traveled at the invitation of Virá Charme Resort

With information from UOL (Eduardo Buckhardt)