“A staycation is a vacation trip that consists of exploring the city you live in as if it were a trip.”
And that’s exactly what I did on the first weekend of August: a beautiful weekend at Hotel MGallery Santa Teresa. Let’s face it, one of the perks of living in Rio de Janeiro is precisely the opportunity to enjoy the city from a tourist’s POV. Create absolutely touristic itineraries, visit a hotel restaurant, live experiences that any tourist would have, but as an authentic carioca.
And Staycation is an expression that goes beyond that “Day of Tourism”as it becomes a tourist’s night, a whole weekend enjoying without leaving its urban perimeter. And is there anything better than a 5-star hotel bed? How about a stellar breakfast with everything you deserve (even a complimentary Mimosa at 10am)? Well, that’s how we enjoyed an impeccable weekend at the invitation of Hotel Santa Teresa.
The hotel is part of the MGallery line of the French Accor Group, focusing on boutique hotels and with a closer look at local culture and heritage, offering exclusive architecture, design and services. And this is precisely the main charm of the Hotel, it is located in the heart of Santa Teresa, a neighborhood that needs no introduction and, in this case, a perfect marriage between the hotel’s sophistication and the energetic ~Carioca lifestyle. that the neighborhood guarantees.
I have been to the hotel several times for events – in fact, there is no better place, but it was our first time to spend the weekend and still experience more than a voucher night, a voucher weekend! So parents with small (medium or large) children at home, activate the support network and live this moment, because it is worth a lot! And if, like me, you live on the other side of town, it’s the perfect commute!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Elegance! Like a house, an elegant house, but that cozy house, with lots of wood, textures, natural light, with a national designer – which is the pride of Brazil. I loved my room, the lovely four poster bed, welcome, amenities (I already want to buy the coconut line from L’Occitane au Brésil)everything impeccable in a welcoming yet formal and discreet way, in the style of a 5-star hotel.
The hotel has 44 rooms and I was impressed by how well they are laid out and planned. Always with good views of the city and interior spaces, charming and with a surprise around every corner.
Now an honorable mention for the lobby, I have studied a lot about national design and their curation is a CLASS of how they look to us outside. We have no idea, but Brazilian furniture is a reference (as well as architecture, engineering…) and the one at Hotel Santa Teresa is impeccable. Another factor that won my heart was the scenery. (another reference #thing)very well thought out, organic and, of course, Instagrammable!
EVENTS
Since I already know the neighborhood well, I decided to focus on the hotel’s activities and experience it sweet doing nothing that I love so much (and I never got it again). The first day we had a quick snack by the pool and soon we were treated to a happy hour with a double dose of beer, unmissable! Along with that, jazz with a live band by the pool, total relaxation and automatically transported to a tropical hideaway.
But who said it stopped there? Before dinner, the dream of every tired mother: massage! And she still looked at her father. Relaxing massage for couples at LE SPA, Hotel Spa, which is beautiful and open to the public, of course. I love these experiences and always forget to treat myself to them, so for a Staycation, there is nothing better than dedicating a small hour of your day to this feeling of relaxation.
After self-care, indulgence: we went to dinner at TÉRÈZE, which, although I’m not related to #quemdera, the restaurant is my thing 🙂 An impeccable fusion of French and Brazilian food, an unprecedented pleasure. This experience deserved a full post (done in Stories)but worth amplifying: beyond Staycation (or for those coming from abroad!)it’s the place to meet. The view is beautiful, the food is great and the experience is unforgettable. I’ve always said here at Fashionismo that dining in a hotel restaurant is our fastest flight to any destination and, in this case, I felt right there in Paris.
Now let’s talk about my favorite part? Breakfast! Note: at home I’m not one to drink that big cup of coffee, some eggs, a coffee and that’s fine, but the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful breakfast is a canonical event for my existence and that of Hotel Santa Teresa. it was a transcendental experience (astrological note: I’m a Taurus).
Breakfast is served at TÉRÈZE itself, with the city center as a backdrop and the region’s adorable little animals for company. That said, naturally fermented bread, fruit, yogurt, cold, hot, foods you didn’t know existed, incredible buffet flavors and à la carte options. I don’t know if I’ve said it already, there’s also a Mimosa to give you that energy boost. I’m drooling just because I remember it!
swimming pool
I would live in it! Beautiful, perfect, it is the heart of the hotel, located right in the middle, so we can’t resist it and always stay close to it. Our second day at the hotel was dedicated to nothing and swimming. Not only the pool, but also the hot tub, which looks more like a hug, was the idyllic setting for our stay. Pool service keeps us from leaving the pool and, just when we thought a snack would be enough… Seafood BBQ!
On Saturdays the hotel has the seafood version and Sundays are grilled meat day. It is worth noting that it is open to the public by appointment and is an excellent option between a tour of Santa Teresa and an escape from the routine. For me, I would spend the end of the year there and I would return calmly for 2025!
Thank you MGallery Santa Teresa for the invite, your namesake and your fan <3
