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South American Luxury Hotels Tips
South American Luxury Hotels
Some of the world’s best luxury hotels are located in South America, usually right on the water’s edge or in downtown hot-spots. Many wonderful old hotels have seen Cinderella makeovers from companies such as the Orient-Express or Four Seasons, saving the best elements of historic properties and combining them with luxury.
On the reverse side of a big business property, there are boutiques properties, such as the one owned by Francis Ford Coppola in Belize. There is no lack of luxury hotels in South America. The only complication may be making up your mind! A good place to start your search is with the Leading Hotels of the World list, which can point you in the right direction.
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São Paulo Takes Business Seriously
São Paulo might not be at the top of most must-see tourist destinations. Few leisure travelers are even aware that this city of 18 million is the largest city in South America and a globally-recognized center of financial, commercial and industry in Brazil. On the other hand, over 9 million business travelers come to São Paulo each year. Many of these executives attend a host of annual international business conferences and trade shows including: the Textile Industry International Fair, Construction International Fair, International Book Fair and Shoes, and Cosmetica (Fashion Accessories and Machines International Fair). But, it’s not all business in São Paulo, the city is a major culture and culinary center.
The heart of São Paulo’s business district lies between Paulista and Faria Lima Avenue. The Fasano family has epitomized hospitality and style for over 100 years and Fasano Hotel e Restaurante is the pride of Rogerio Fasano. With only 50 rooms and 10 suites, Fasano Hotel e Restaurante ensures the highest levels of service and attention to detail. A fully-equipped business center and cutting-edge technology make it easy to do business at the Fasano. A fleet of limousines handles transfers to and from the Guarulhos International Airport or the Congonhas Airport and are available for local transportation to business meetings and popular Fasano family restaurants. After hours, head to the rooftop retreat for a swim and take in the panoramic views of the city.
Awards and recognition back up the Fasano success story. A member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World’s elite collection of 5-star hotels, Fasano Hotel e Restaurante has been recognized in Departures, Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast and Tatler Travel Guide as one of the best hotels in South America.
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Sao Paolo, Brazil Luxury Hotel
The Hotel Fasano Sao Paulo is considered the most elegant in São Paulo, and is located in the Jardins, the most fashionable area of town. Its architecture is a reinterpretation of the 1930’s and ’40s style.
Dining: The Restaurant Fasano serves traditional Italian cuisine. National and international jazz stars perform in the Baretto.
Spa: The health club, a rooftop retreat with great views over the city, features a pool, baths, sauna, massage, fitness center and rare armchairs signed by Hans Wegner.
Deluxe Touch: The hotel’s fleet of limousines will transfer you to and from the airport and other restaurants owned by the Fasano family.
Details Rua Vittorio Fasano, 88 01414-020 São Paulo Tel: 55 11 3896 4000
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Luxury Hotel
An Orient-Express property, the CopacabanaPalace is South America's most famous hotel and has welcomed the rich and famous since 1923. It’s located right on Copacabana beach.
Dining: The Hotel Cipriani restaurant serves the very best of north Italian cuisine. Authentic Italian dishes include delicious Risotto di Zucca Profumato al Rosmarino and Maccheroncini con Pomodoro Melanzane e Tonno.
Spa: The Copacabana Palace Spa was set to open at the end of July 2007. It will be located over three floors with seven treatment rooms, two dual treatment suites, a fitness room, sauna, steam bath and relaxation area.
Deluxe Touch: Book a Penthouse suite, located on the 6th floor, which has been decorated with works of art, exotic carpets and French fabrics. Features include an all-marble bathroom, large balcony facing Copacabana Beach, butler service and a rooftop swimming pool exclusive to Penthouse Suites.
Details Avenida Atlântica 1702 Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil Tel: +55 21 2548 7070
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Argentina Luxury Hotel
The Alvear Palace Hotel is located in Recoleta, the most exclusive neighborhood in Buenos Aires. It’s a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Dining: La Bourgogne restaurant, the only Relais & Gourmand in Argentina, offers French and international cuisine, as well as the tasty meats from the “Grill Rotissoire.”
Spa: The health club has an indoor heated swimming pool, gym with computerized fitness equipment, sauna and massage are available.
Deluxe Touch: Every guest has butler service, who will welcome you to the hotel, help you unpack your luggage, presses clothing and prepares a bath upon request. The butler also takes all room service orders and generally attends to anything you need.
Details Av Alvear 1891 (C1129AAA) Buenos Aires . Argentina. Tel: 4808.2100
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Belize Luxury Hotel
Turtle Inn on the south coast of Belize is owned by Francis Ford Coppola, who fell in love with Belize when shooting Apocalypse Now and now has two guest properties. It is located between the ocean and a lagoon. There is no phone, Internet, or television. Thatched-roof cottages, with antique Asian armoires and urns and Balinese wood carvings, have private outdoor showers.
Dining: Mare serves Italian, French and local food. The inn has one of two brick pizza ovens on the entire island in Belize. Of course, you’ll find Coppola wine.
Spa: Try a Thai massage outside in a thatched building.
Deluxe Touch: Stay in the Chinese Matrimonial Suite, which features a 200-year-old fertility bed and a private garden.
Details Placencia , Belize Tel: 501 824 4912
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Chile Luxury Hotel
Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia, an explora property, is designed to showcase the natural environment. Strategically set on the shore of Lake Pehoé, explora's Hotel Salto Chico was conceived as an exploration base site. It is ideally suited for exploring Patagonia.
Dining: Simple and local food is prepared and frequently there is a Quincho (traditional barbecue area), near the Estancia 2 de Enero with outdoor food activities where guests, staff and locals get together.
Spa: The nearby Casa de Baños del Ona features an indoor heated pool, exercise machines, sauna, massage room and open-air Jacuzzis.
Deluxe Touch: Book one of the seven rooms with view to the Salto Chico waterfall.
Details
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile Tel: 56 2 2066060
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Peru Luxury Hotel
Hotel Monasterio is the ideal base to explore Cuzco and the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu, which can be reached via a three-hour train journey. The 16th-century Hotel Monasterio, originally built as a monastery in 1592, is high in the Andes, almost 10,000 feet above sea level. There is oxygen piped into the rooms to combat altitude sickness, a nice touch indicative of the Orient-Express Hotel service.
Dining: At El Tupay, you can sample Peruvian and international cuisine. You will experience the culinary diversity and tradition of past centuries.
Spa: The Incas believed that Cuzco was the navel of the world and undeniably, there is an energy and vigor in the air which is almost tangible. Specialists in ancient Andean healing techniques combine oriental influences on relaxation to channel this energy through the body.
Deluxe Touch: Have the Bath Butler draw you an Imperial Bath. Start with a glass of Kir Imperial. Your bath with be scented and coca leaves candles lit. You’ll receive exfoliating gloves, fresh Andean cheese and honey and energizing salts.
