Emiliano Sao Paulo

We can’t possibly say enough about this hotel, except possibly that if you’re a design and architecture junkie, and you’re not left speechless, then we don’t know you. Even from the street, Emiliano is an imposing presence, a narrow glass tower, gleaming amidst the high-rises of the fashionable Jardins district, walking distance from São Paulo’s best shops, nightclubs and restaurants. And the lobby is no less impressive, ten meters high, dressed in light tones and custom-designed furniture.

Guest rooms continue in light Brazilian woods and white upholstery, with impossibly sumptuous king beds and a custom pillow selection, as well as what some technophobes may consider too much gadgetry, from flat-screen TVs with DVD players to some of the most complicated bathrooms on the planet. Eames chairs sit alongside more custom pieces, and the suites feature translucent sliding glass doors as room dividers.

Some hotels offer a cocktail upon arrival, but Emiliano offers a welcome massage; and we’re happy to say the rest of the service follows in top form. The rooftop gym offers striking wraparound views of the city, and above, the hotel’s heliport, with its own helicopter—so even if you forgot to bring your own, you can travel like a true Paulistano.


How to get there:
Emiliano is approximately a 20-minute drive from Congonhas/São Paulo Airport. Taxis from the airport to the hotel cost approximately $40 USD.