Fasano Salvador

Emiliano Rio enjoys one of the city’s most coveted locations, right on Copacabana Beach. It is contemporary and cool, and embodies everything that is so wonderful about this South American city. There are 90 suites and apartments, many of which have balconies and beautiful ocean views. Decor is simple and elegant, the light bright colour scheme perfect for enhancing the blue skies and golden sands that surround the hotel. Emile Restaurant specialises in carioca cuisine, using local, small scale producers to showcase the best of the city. Sip a cocktail at the Emile Bar then head up to the rooftop for light, healthy bites and a dip in the beautiful swimming pool that looks out over Copacabana. There is an incredible spa located on the 11th floor offering a range of revitalising treatments as well as space to simply uwind and relax.

A wonderful lodge set a the wildlife rich Southern Pantanal. This is one of the most protected areas in the Pantanal, meaning the wildlife is more abundant and the flora unspoilt. The star of the show here are the activities which will be entirely personalised for you. You’ll talk with your guide at the beginning of the stay and they’ll help to put a program together for you, based on what you want to see and do. The lodge has just five rooms and is located on a stretch of the Rio Negro, it even has a small river ‘beach’ to relax by. Barra Mansa is probably one of the best places in all of South America to see wildlife.

The Fasano Sao Paulo is simply a world class hotel, with an understated style, complete luxury and impeccable service throughout. Located in Jardims, just off of the famous shopping street of Oscar Freire, there’s much to do in the immediate vicinity (an important consideration in a city of this scale). The Fasano’s facilities are all top class, with a spa, a bar and two restaurants which are among the very best in the Sao Paulo (the Fasano family, built their reputation on their restaurants before moving into hotels). All the rooms in the Fasano have been decorated with a real eye for quality; every item, fixture and fitting has been carefully sourced and the rooms are extremely comfortable and spacious. All in all, the Fasano Sao Paulo is a class act throughout.

Far from being commonplace in the Brazilian interior, this elegantly restored colonial farmhouse set amongst the green undulating hills of the Ibitipoca State Park makes for a wonderfully unique stay. Aptly owned by a mining magnate in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and only 270km from Rio de Janeiro, guests can delight in Reserva do Ibitipoca’s understated luxury and spa whilst enjoying assorted wildlife expeditions and bespoke excursions to waterfalls and white sandy river beaches. 4WD, horse riding, electric cars and bikes are also available for a small extra cost. The rooms are elegantly simple, maintaining the warm assurance of modernity that is brilliantly juxtaposed with an inspiring use of antiques and restored furniture. A colourful wall hanging or religious icon touches on the farmhouse’s once domestic story, remindful too of local artisanship, whilst an animal hide rug laid on the original polished wood floors illustrates a satisfying contrast of textures. There is a fenced veranda that wraps itself around one corner of the farmhouse bedecked with the odd rocking chair and inviting armchairs and sofas on which to relax, eat breakfast and take in the views of the surrounding hills and lake. Food here is a real highlight and guests will enjoy delicious home-cooked food made using fresh, seasonal ingredients. A short stroll across the lawn is the hotel’s large spa housed in a converted outbuilding. Another separate lodge within Comuna do Ibitipoca’s garden has a sauna and heated outdoor Jacuzzi. Ibitipoca’s service is exceptional and the staff’s knowledge of the parkland’s rich flora and fauna, which include red deer, jaguars, pumas and many native tree specimens, cannot fail to impress. Rates are based on a minimum two-night stay and include all meals, taxes, and tours into the Reserve with an English-speaking guide.