At a Glance
The gorgeous garden estate surrounding Palácio Tangará, an Oetker Collection property, was built out of love. In 1940, Brazilian businessman Francisco Pignatari commissioned a legendary duo to build a palatial home for his new wife: he enlisted architect Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx, the landscape architect behind Rio’s curvy Copacabana boardwalk. (That the marriage later dissolved is beside the point.) After eight decades, Pignatari’s gift is now a blessing for any guest who arrives via the lush park. The 141 rooms subtly showcase blues, greens and yellows (the colors of the Brazilian flag) in their old-world-meets-sleek-urbane décor. If the nod to the hotel’s location is too gentle, a toucan flying over the forested grounds should do the trick. And while the setting, inside Burle Marx’s oasis, is distinctly tropical, bustling São Paulo beckons just beyond. Not that you actually need to leave: two beautiful pools (one indoor), a divine spa, fitness programs led by local pros and cuisine from Jean-Georges Vongerichten keep guests busy—and happy.
The Standout: It is set amid 10 acres of Burle Marx Park but still close to São Paulo’s offerings Don’t Miss: A dinner at Tangará Jean-Georges, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s only restaurant in South America
Indagare Loves
- The hotel’s hive of local Jataí honeybees and its commitment to sustainability
- The spectacular 80-foot al fresco pool and chic poolside bar
- The black-and-white photography and paintings of Brazil’s iconic landscapes and sights throughout the hotel
Review
Guests enter the vine-covered gates of Palácio Tangará and are welcomed by the hotel’s grand, palatial exterior. Framed by topiaries, the building is reminiscent of a stately European villa fit for royalty. (In fact, the property was originally meant for a modern princess, when a Brazilian millionaire fell in love with a European women and vowed to build her a palace; sadly, the construction of the building outlasted their romance.) The resort’s grandeur continues in the lobby, where high ceilings and plush, jewel-toned couches blend into the space’s delightfully understated décor. Throughout the hotel’s public areas, Palácio Tangará’s design team struck a perfect balance between classic sophistication and Brazilian flair: incorporating traditional elements like pastel fabrics and tasteful lighting fixtures with colorful plants and local artwork, the property has an overall thoughtful—albeit subtle—sense of place.
This understated elegance is no more apparent than in Palácio Tangará’s guest rooms, all of which have superb views overlooking the verdant Burle Marx Park. Appointed with old-world refinement, the hotel’s accommodations fall somewhere between ultra-sleek and luxuriously comfortable. All 141 rooms are decorated thematically according to the blue, green and yellow colors of the Brazil flag; those with a blue palette are furnished with robin’s egg blue pillows and navy toile curtains, while others have pops of emerald color or lemon yellow walls. All rooms feature light grey carpets and gorgeous black-and-white photographs depicting the scenery and cities of Brazil. Scattered throughout the hotel’s five floors are 59 masterfully decorated suites, many of which have juliet balconies, spacious bathrooms and terraces overlooking the city.
Palácio Tangará’s pièce de résistance is its outstanding gastronomy, led by one of the world’s most celebrated culinary figures: Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The chef’s first foray in South America, the resort’s restaurants garner international acclaim thanks to Jean-Georges’s delicious fusion of European, Asian and Brazilian flavors. Guests have a choice between an al fresco lounge, all-day venue, exclusive chef’s table and fine-dining restaurant, where traditional dishes like caviar and lamb chops are combined with local vegetables and fresh fish. The hotel has an extensive wine and Champagne list, as well as fantastic cocktail offerings including the iconic caipirinha, the Brazilian national cocktail made with cachaça, a rum variation. (Guests should not miss a chance to make their own caipirinha with the bartenders, who are eager to share their tips).
When not sightseeing, guests of Palácio Tangará can cool off in the stunning, 80-foot pool that lies in the center of the property. Surrounded by lush greenery and sleek day beds, the pool club already attracts stylish locals for rosé-filled lunches. Other amenities include a gym, indoor pool and Sisley Spa where visitors can rejuvenate with anti-aging facials and energizing massages.
Who Should Stay
Those looking for a grand refuge in this busy city
—Blair West
Read Indagare's First Look: Palácio Tangará
Written by Indagare