Get Pampered The Brazilian Way
Thanks to the World Cup, all eyes are on Brazil. Soccer might be at the top of the country’s priority list at the moment, but you know what sounds great post-football game? A spa. In a country known for its obsession with beauty, it’s no surprise that you’ll find some of the most unique and innovative treatments in the world. From the extensive massage menu at Rancho Do Peixe to the centuries-old beauty secrets of the native Pataxó Indians at UXUA, here are the best spots to escape millions of crazed fans and get gorgeous in Brazil.
Photo: Courtesy of UXUA Hotel & Spa
These 11-colorful cottages in the sleepy village of Trancoso are a favorite escape for the fashion set (owner Wilbert Das is the former creative director of Diesel). Das teamed up with native Pataxó Indians to incorporate their expertise on local rainforest plants into the spa’s products and treatments. Pataxó women make soaps, insect repellent, massage oils, and face creams from indigenous plants like pitanga and aroeira and almescar tree sap. Shea butter, Brazil nuts, pink pepper seeds, fresh palm oil, and dark cocoa grown in the hotel’s garden, are woven into the spa’s massages, scrubs, soaks, and facials.
Photo: Courtesy of Rancho Do Peixe
In-the-know kite and wind surfers adore this rustic destination on Brazil’s unspoiled northern coast. In a country known for its pricey hotels, these 16 beachfront bungalows start at just $136. The hotel also boasts its own kite surfing school, Rancho do Kite. After tackling the wind and surf, guests can indulge in a spa treatment room set in the sand. They offer over a dozen types of massages including shiatsu, ayurvedic, and hot stone.
Photo: Courtesy of Botanique Hotel & Spa
This new mountainside retreat aims to showcase the very best of Brazil, from design and architecture, to food and wine. The holistic spa features signature treatments based on Afro Brazilian and Native Indian ancestral beauty rituals. Geotherapy mud and clay treatments, thermal baths, and an isotonic pool are just some of the options from which to choose.
Photo: Courtesy of Fasano Boa Vista
A modern zen escape just an hour from bustling Sao Paolo, Fasano Boa Vista is surrounded by lakes, gardens, and 2500 acres of farmland and preserved forest. There are eight spa treatment rooms and 39 guest rooms, all of which have breathtaking pastoral views. The edited spa menu includes intriguing options like the Indian Lipo Sculpting Body treatment that promises to eliminate excess water weight, reduce cellulite, and release toxins—perfect prep for sporting the teeny bikinis for which Brazil is known.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Santa Teresa
With panoramic views of Rio, a rotating display of local art, and a vibrant bohemian neighborhood, there’s a lot to love about this neocolonial hotel. The boutique property’s innovative Le Spa is just the icing on the cake. Its tropical Hammam features a steambath with Brazilian perfumes, body exfoliation by way of botanical scrubs, and a massage with local essential oils.
