OVERVIEW
Just 15 minutes drive from Ipanema gets you to affluent Joatinga. It is here that French owner François-Xavier, who opened La Maison, Rio's first boutique B&B in 2004, has found the perfect spot for his latest venture. It's easy to see why. Perched high above a secret surf haven, La Suite enjoys a stunning cliff top setting. From its large open-sided sitting room you look back at Rio’s coastline most never get to see. Its glam location must be fit for the gods as Pele is your neighbour.
Inside, its seven brand spanking new bedrooms use vibrant colours to startling effect: each comes with Warhol prints and matching marble bathrooms: yellow bedroom leads into yellow marble bathroom; choose the pink bedroom and you'll find its bathroom clad in rare pink marble. There's a private deck for massages, and some fine dining by arrangement. An exclusive district, breathtaking setting and impossibly romantic.
HIGHS- Most stunning views of any hotel we've seen in Rio (and enjoyed by all rooms)
- Wonderfully imaginative interior design with deliciously decorated bedrooms
- Small refreshing swimming pool (with additional more spectacular cliff hanging pool planned for the future)
- It's only a short drive down to Joatinga, the surfers secret hangout and one of Rio's most picturesque beaches
- Exclusive district with gated street - so you get a great feeling of privacy
- With just 7 rooms it feels intimate and personal - a welcome change from Rio's usual chain hotels
LOWS
- There's not much action within walking distance but taxis are easily ordered and these will take you anywhere: Leblon and Ipanema with its beaches, clubs and restaurants is only 15 mins away.
- Coastal dual carriage can be seen but doesn't detract from stunning views
- During our visit (April 2006), they were still making the final touches - please check on progress when booking
- As with many Brazilian hotels, the staff speak limited English, although Francois is around most of the time
- Don't expect all mod cons such as DVD and CD players ('though TVs are planned for some rooms)
- Having to pay by cash - they don't accept credit cards
ROOMS
There are 7 boldly decorated bedrooms each with different brightly coloured themes, matching art work and marble bathrooms. There's bright lemon yellow, lime green, strawberry pink or more restrained grey. Amusing touches and objets d'art are placed throughout. Altogether, the effect is quite startling and brings a smile to one's face - we giggled at the matching bathroom marbles and china hands holding bedside lamps. The bedrooms may be bright, but definitely not gaudy thanks to the deft and talented touch of Francois-Xavier. He's sure to be acclaimed for this imaginative interior design work as "A" listers make themselves at home. Book the Black Suite for its large four-poster bed, wrap around windows and corner terrace - the view is staggering. However, whichever room you choose, you get a balcony with a fab ocean vista.
EATING
Take your pick of places to eat. You can have breakfast in your room, on its balcony, or on the main dining terrace with its stunning views to the ocean. Each course is brought to you one after the other. Start with exotic fruits and freshly-squeezed juices (a different one each day). Then coffee or tea (with a choice of green, earl grey, and selection of aromatics), followed by cheese, ham and eggs, cereals and yoghurt, delicious home-made cakes and croissants. Finish with fresh fruit mousse (passion fruit, mango, coconut or lemon).
Lunch and dinner are both available if you give a little notice. Just let them know whether you want fish or meat and they'll cook up something seasonal. If you wish you can even go with them to the local fish market in Barra and choose what you want. Dine in and you might get some little known dishes such as Cavaquinhas (huge shrimps like a lobster). You can also ask for salads and pastas and their cook Angelique's desserts come recommended. In the evening you can dine while lapping up a twinkling coastline vista.
Dine out and you will need a cab but Rio has some great restaurants to try. The owners can advise on Leblon's hotspots.
ACTIVITIES
- Hang out by the pool, lap up the views and arrange to have a massage - it's the sort of place you could easily spend the day without venturing out.
- Surf at Rio's secret Joatinga beach (photo above), a few minute's drive down the hill from the hotel.
- Shop till you drop in Sao Conrado's Fashion Mall - for the ultimate personal shopping experience visit Club Chocolate.
- Dine out and party in some of the great bars and restaurants in Leblon or Ipanema just a 15 minute drive away.
- Take the plunge from the top of Pedra da Gávea (Gávea's Stone) and Hang Glide down to Sao Conrado beach below - you can take a tandem flight with instructor
- Go hiking in the Forest of Tijuca, one of the largest expanses of urban forest in the world
FEATURES
- Fabulous living room and dining terrace with panoramic open air vista across to Sao Conrado beach and out to the Atlantic
- swimming pool, (additional infinity cliffhanger still under construction). Turkish steam bath also due for completion in Nov 2006
- 7 striking en suite bedrooms all with balcony, sea views and internet connection
- Private massage and beauty treatments can be arranged at La Suite
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FEATURES
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Phone |
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Internet in Room |
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Fan |
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Air Conditioning |
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Safe Box |
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Extra Beds Available |
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Breakfast |
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Lunch by Arrangement |
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Dinner by Arrangement |
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Outdoor Pool |
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Turkish Bath |
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Massage Available |
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Fax Available |
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Laundry Service |
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Babysitting |
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Airport Transfer |
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ACTIVITIES
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Hiking / Walking |
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Shopping/Markets |
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Peaceful Hideaway |
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Sun and Sea |
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Surfing |
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Swimming |
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Getting there
