Fasano Hotel

Rooms

Whatever room you choose you'll find 1930s-inspired design (think subtle Art Deco styling) along with more modern touches. You'll walk on parquet floors and striped kilims and find dark polished writing tables, soft brown leather chairs from Italy, and brass reading lamps. It all feels very Godfather and smacks of solid quality. Old black and white photos of past Fasano businesses give a glimpse of days gone by before São Paulo grew into a forest of skyscrapers. You also get WiFi, a CD/DVD player (there's a good selection of films at reception) and an electrically operated blind that rises up to reveal the leafy Jardins district below.

We found the huge beds sublimely comfortable, with their crisp Trussardi 300-thread count linens and excessive number of goose down pillows. The timeless white marble bathrooms have large walk-in showers; Deluxe Rooms and Suites also have big bathtubs. You get a generous selection of Fasano's own branded lotions and potions, soft sheet towels and bathrobes and a hairdryer, plus a free pair of Havaianas to walk up to the spa and pool.

There's a choice of 60 rooms (including 50 Superior or Deluxe Rooms, 6 Suites, 2 Suites Deluxe and 2 2-Bedroomed Suites). The difference between these is largely size, but Superiors don't come with bath. Suites are located on the top floors of the hotel with larger closets, a sitting area and a guest bathroom, as well as a large wide-screen plasma TV and a powerful music system. For the best views pick one of the 2-Bedroom Suites on the 19th and 20th floors, or one of the Suites on floors 16 to 18.

All rooms have AC, a safe and a minibar, as well as your welcome bowl of fruit you'll also discover a useful info pack, personally signed by the owners.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The Fasano Restaurant is one of the world's greats so you'll have to book ahead. It's a cathedral of taste and before you let an olive pass your lips you'll be awed by its vast high ceilings and massive rack of wine placed high-up along its back wall. There's definitely a sense of occasion here. There's also some attention to detail that helps explain why Rogerio Fasano is São Paulo's number 1 restaurateur. Its tables for 2 are a joy to sit at - each cubicle's divide is low enough for you to feel private but not too remote from the restaurant's buzz. Even acoustics have been considered - the ceiling is clad in suede to prevent echoing. Attentive 'old-school' waiters flit around with baskets of fabulous, freshly baked breads.

We recommend opting for one of the Italian set menus which venture from Milan, Venice and Piemont to Sardinia. Needless to say our quail and osso buco with saffron risotto were delicious. But we must say the warm Sicilian lemon pie with a gooey centre and hot chocolate sauce was even better. There's a suitably extensive and expensive wine list to match.

Breakfast can be taken in Nonno Ruggerro, the bijou Italian trattoria on the hotel's first floor. You can eat inside or on the terrace outside, where the walls are planted with fresh herbs. They lay on a spread of fresh juice, tropical fruit, hams, cheeses, breads, pastries, jams, cereal and yoghurt. Coffee and tea comes in silver pots and if you want some eggs or something hot they'll bring it to you. If you don't want the full-on experience of dining at the Fasano Restaurant, here's where you can take a lighter, more casual lunch of antipasto buffet or plate of pasta.

If you want to stay in your room and curl up with a DVD, there's an excellent 24-hour room service menu, offering dishes from simple burgers to Fasano Restaurant classics, all wheeled in on a large table with starched white linen.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Dinner at the Fasano Restaurant is a must - it's one of the greatest restaurants in the world
  
  
• Go to the Baretto bar (on the ground floor) - Wallpaper called it "the No 1 Bar in the World". It attracts musicians and beautiful Paulistas, and is small, intimate, comfortable and discreet
  
  
• Shop Shop Shop: São Paulo takes shopping to new levels. Right on your doorstep is Rua Oscar Freire. Here you can saunter along to not only the usual suspects -Tiffany, Cartier, Louis Vuitton etc - but also to more cutting edge boutiques like Clube Chocolat, with its basement beach café and colourful parrots.
  
  
• Have a massage in the spa (22nd floor). Re-energise from long haul flights and indulge in Shiatsu, Reflexology, Hot stone massages or acupuncture (open from 8am to 11pm weekdays - till 9pm weekends)
  
  
• Work out in the well equipped gym (23rd Floor) with fantastic views across the city, take a dip in the small indoor pool or unwind in the sauna, steam room or one of the Japanese hot tubs
  
  
• At sunset go to the Edificio Italia on Avenida Ipiranga. It'll take 2 lift rides to reach the top of the highest tower in São Paulo. There's a little-known bar at the top and the view is just astonishing. Best sampled with with a glass of Champagne
  
  
• Go out on the town to a myriad of fine clubs, bars restaurants, galleries and experience the energy, imagination and excitement of this fantastic city

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

Children are welcome - there's no charge for those under 12 and staying in their parents roomif no extra bed is needed. Cots and babysitting are all available - the hotel will even provide colouring-in books to keep kids occupied.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Fasano is located in the Jardims district of São Paulo. It's a 5-10-minute taxi ride from the business districts of Faria Lima Avenue and Paulista Avenue.

By Air:
São Paulo Guarulhos (28km) is the city's international airport; Congonhas Airport (12km) is served by domestic flights. Please see the links below for a list of airlines serving each airport.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a private transfer in one of its smart black Chryslers - please enquire at the time of booking. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport - it's a 20-minute journey; double that in rush hour.

By Car:
If you want to hire a car to get around and to explore the surrounding region, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Brazil and getting around