The hangovers of Brazilian Carnival are still lingering after this past long weekend saw partygoers dancing and celebrating their way through South America's most exciting days--and if you think you want to be there next year, we want to recommend the Cocoon Hotel in Salvador, Bahia state.
The Cocoon already considers itself famous as "the first spaceship hotel" in the world. It's definitely got a wacky sci-fi look about it, and we think that puts it in a bit of a partying mode, which is just what you're looking for during Carnival.
There are just 27 rooms a the Cocoon, so get in early if you want a room for next February. And remember that it's quirky, not too expensive (rooms are usually less than $200 a night), and is frequented by a young and equally quirky crowd--put it this way, don't expect peace and quiet at Carnival time. It's one of those hotels where it's more than just somewhere to stay, the hotel is part of the sightseeing itself.
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven Amanda K heads to Brazil. Enjoy.
This week my dream trip is out into the middle of the jungle. In the Amazon, to be precise, because I've made a heap of Brazilian friends in the last few months who keep giving me tips on where to visit. And my latest plan is to hang out for a few days at the Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel in the Amazon rain forest near the town of Manuas.
The Ariau Amazon Towers is a pretty special place. It's a set of towers built above the water and connected by wooden walkways, with your accommodation about at the height of the rain forest canopy. By all reports it's not the fanciest hotel in the world, but it has the basics and more, including air conditioning and internet access.
There are monkeys wandering around the walkways too, in case you ever need reminding that you're in the middle of nature. And the hotel also offers quite a few tours, like piranha fishing, caiman spotting and a jungle hike. It definitely sounds like the kind of hotel where I wouldn't be surprised to see Tarzan swinging over the balcony to visit me.
Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.
In this episode, Hotel Maven Amanda K picks out her first choice for a Brazilian getaway. Enjoy.
I'm always dreaming up new destinations and since I've made a bunch of new friends from Brazilian mega-city São Paulo recently, it seems like a good place for a holiday.
Trusting the TripAdvisor gang, their number one stay in São Paulo is the Emiliano Hotel. We've already remarked on the rooftop spa and recent guests still love this, but the list of other positives seems pretty much endless. Sometime during the day, room service stops by with complimentary fruit (and fancy-looking fruit at that), and desserts later on. The rooms are stylishly decorated without being overdone, the beds are comfortable and even the linen is well-loved. But the most popular perk at the Emiliano is the excellent service:
The staff is really who make this hotel stand out. I've stayed at other Sao Paulo botique hotels and this one has the best staff, by far. Why? ... Everybody here, and I mean from the cleaning lady to the reception staff to the butlers, act like they are hosting you in their own homes.
The compliments roll on at TripAdvisor so I feel pretty confident that it's worth recommending. And the only thing my Brazilian friends have been warning me about--making sure you stay in a safe area--is also taken care of here. The Emiliano is in the Jardins district and in the best shopping street of São Paulo. Only it sounds like one of those hotels I'll never actually want to leave the hotel and do any sightseeing or visiting pals.
Intercontinental Hotel Group is getting back to its roots by opening a Crowne Plaza in Belem, Brazil. IHG was actually created in Belem some 60 years ago and has since expanded to 48 locations.
The hotel by description sounds like your regular Crowne Plaza: high speed internet, mini bar, spa, restaurant, fitness center, rooftop pool, etc. But major efforts are going toward the future restful sleep of the hotel's guests. We figure a Brazilian location alone merits this extra effort:
The hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage, an award-winning program which encompasses all aspects of a guests' sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.
Although we highly doubt this Sleep Advantage program works during Carnival.
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by amandak
