World’s Best Resort is in Brazil – Condé Nast Traveler

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “Uxua” in the language of the Pataxó Indians, inhabitants of the region, means “wonderful.”

Dutch designer Wilbert Das inaugurated the resort in May 2009 with a proposal to carefully restore 5 of the historic houses in Quadrado, the center point of Trancoso, and by creating new ones with local artisans using traditional construction methods and recycled materials.

The resort combines its 9,000 m2 private garden structure with a quartz pool, a lounge, a gym and the innovative Vida Lab, led by a medical nutritionist who explores the riches of the Atlantic Forest for exclusive treatments at Uxua’s Vida Spa.

Its internationally recognized restaurants serve refined cuisine, both at Quadrado and at the beach bar, one of the most acclaimed in Brazil.

“We have built a very strong bond with our guests and the local community over the past 12 years using creativity, empowerment and respect for people and the environment, based on simplicity and the desire to serve well, with attention to the smallest details,” Wilbert said.

“We are particularly grateful to our guests and, of course, to our staff, who remain true to the values that have driven this establishment on its journey. Our greatest luxury is to be able to refresh and revitalize our guests, while building a better future for our team, who are ultimately responsible for welcoming and providing unforgettable moments for those who visit us.”

The coastal region of southern Bahia, Brazil, is famous for its African influences, tropical climate and hundreds of miles of idyllic beaches. In 1586, Jesuit missionaries traveling through the area founded Trancoso, carving a grassy plaza into the jungle atop a cliff overlooking the sea and surrounding it with 50 small houses and a church.

This area, known as the Quadrado, has been preserved for centuries and is today one of the most picturesque and unspoiled settings in Brazil, as well as being the site of this award-winning hotel.

The 5-star hotel features 13 unique 1 to 3-bedroom houses that perfectly blend into the historic heart of Trancoso, a small fishing village. Four of them and the hotel entrance are restored fishermen’s houses with facades overlooking the Quadrado, while the other 9 are set in a lush private garden.

Services available, always in the warm Bahia style, include a restaurant specializing in traditional Bahian cuisine with an organic and contemporary twist, an exclusive swimming pool with medicinal properties, a lounge and a beach restaurant built using old fishing boats.

Spa treatments are inspired by local traditions and are described as “the best spa for a romantic getaway.” In the hotel gardens, 2 antique weaving looms produce organic cotton kaftans and kimonos for sale exclusively to guests and also feature handcrafted ceramics, design and decorative objects.

More info at: www.uxua.com