14 Sep 2012
AOL co-founder David Cole to open spa resort in Brazil
BY Kath Hudson
Image: The spa will use exclusively Brazilian products
The first '100 per cent Brazilian spa' is set to open at the Botanique Hotel & Spa mountain retreat, created by AOL co-founder, David Cole, founder of The Body Shop, Gordon Roddick and Brazilian entrepreneurs, Ricardo and Fernanda Semler.
Set in 700 acres (283 hectares), in the mountains of Campos do Jordao, half way between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the retreat will have six suites and 11 private villas - each individual in design.
Set to open on 1 November, the resort's leisure facilities include a restaurant, private movie theatre, outdoor pool, Olympic standard horses, a library and cookery school.
Showcasing the best the country has to offer, the interior design has been curated by several of Brazil's most revered interiors' experts, with furniture and artwork commissioned from emerging and established designers and artists.
Rare local materials have been used, including the local chocolate slate.
The 10,000sq ft Spa at Botanique will offer signature treatments encompassing ancient native healing and relaxation rituals.
There will be eight specialised treatment spaces, relaxation suites, as well as an indoor pool and dry and wet saunas.
Service will be extremely high: the room rate (around US$1,300/£790 a night) will include food, wines and winetasting, minibar, beverages, experiences, activities and laundry.
Guest luggage can be collected from hotel in Sao Paulo before the guests arrived, and unpacked, ironed and hung in their rooms. Each guest will have an 'anchor' assigned to look after them.
One of the resort's co-founder, Brazilian entrepreneur Fernanda Semler, said: "We are introducing a new concept of contemporary Brazilian hospitality, rescuing the authenticity of old Campos do Jordao, which was an anchor for spiritual retreats and combining with a top of the line luxury feel."
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