Fasano Boa Vista: The ultimate country estate

Most of the people think of beaches, sun, pretty women wearing sexy bikinis when they think of vacationing in Brazil.  In other words Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.  Little do they know what they're missing when they choose the beach over the countryside.  Two weekends ago we spent a weekend at FasanoBoa Vista, a country estate at merely one hour and 15 minutes outside of Sao Paulo and my amazement can’t be put into words but, I'll try.  It's without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've been.  The stunning architecture, which perfectly blends with its site, was accomplished by the very renowned Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld.  It covers 100 acres of secured and preserved forest with 15 lakes, groves and gardens, 18-hole golf courses, a polo field, stables, tennis and soccer courts and a kids activity center.  The hotel also offers real estate inside the property and a lot of wealthy proprietors owned second or third "French-looking" homes there.  You can see the families relaxing among adults while their babas (nanies) spend time at the kids club where there is usually a lot of fun happening.   There were instances that while we were biking around its beautiful century-old trees-lined-uphill-boulevards I thought I was in Provence.
And if you don’t believe me then believe Hermes.  Yes, "In 2012, Boa Vista hosted the Hermès Cup, in association with the centenary French saddlery, marking the first time the organization has given its approval to an equestrian event outside of France." Fasano Website

 The entrance to the reception of the Hotel is just beautiful.  Couldn't help to take a picture.

 The veranda was one of my favorite spaces of this place.

The infinity swimming pool.

 Love this place for breakfast in the mornings. Below, how it looks.

 The decor has a very Scandinavian influence. 

 

 One of the restaurants. 

 The decor is minimal but so cozy you feel home as soon as you walk in the rooms.

 The view from the room.  All of the rooms have a beautiful view out to the country side.

 My hubby biking with our little one.

 Our little one at the stables.

The Hotel has a huge and great selection of design books.

 Adorable ponies.

The swimming pool restaurant. Below, two of the beautiful homes.

most pictures by me others Fasano website

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To Rome with love: Palazzo Margherita

Can I just say how much I appreciate the magical touch in Woody Allen movies.  We went to see To Rome With Love late last night and even though I enjoyed every scene and vision watching the beautiful Italian architectures and ruins, it was probably not the best of the ideas.  It just made my yearn for Italy a lot more profound.  Whenever we go I need to pay a visit to Palazzo Margherita, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, located in an unconventional town called Bernalda.  The Hotel was designed by Jacques Grange, another reason for me to visit it, and it's authentically old school Italian.  It's not in a very touristic town.  This is a place more in tune for people who want to experience the real Italian small town life, but even if there is not much to do, I would be perfectly content drinking Margarita's by the pool or simply walking around the town and enjoying the beautiful medieval hilltops. 

images from WSJ and Palazzo Margharita.

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International Boutique Hotel #29: The House Hotel in Istanbul

One thing that inspires me the most is Architecture, especially seeing how different countries interpret it while injecting their own personalities.  I think that is extremely smart and I'm so happy that that's being the case.  The House Hotel in the hip Beyoğlu area of Istanbul was renovated in 2010 and Autoban, the firm responsible, preserved the 1890's building by keeping its structure as untouched as possible and also maintaining its beautiful parquet floors, hexagon coffered ceilings, boiseries, and Mosaic. 

Part of the ceiling of this hotel is a hexagon coffered ceiling which is repeated on some areas of the floors.  Please note how the small sconces have the room numbers on them which then reflect on the walls.  How cool!

If it weren't for the glass table the size of this room would be perfect for kids to play around.  The beam ceiling is loudly calling my name.

The white curvy side table works as a space for the eye to rest from the rectilinear of the elaborate boiseries and headboard.  Love the scale of the lamp and the simple detail of the brassy dove on the wall.

The TV of course had to be white.  If I live in Istanbul one day, cross your fingers, I'll be knocking the doors of Autoban. 

Love, love the excess of molding and the appliques used to make the boiseries.  Everything is about continuity in this hallway. 

In the bathrooms hexagon shaped mirror again mirrors the ceiling.  The two leg sink, by the way, deserves a post of its own. 

In both images above we can see clearly how beautiful architecture does not need much to reign.  Someone said that a good room should be able to look beautiful naked.  I agree!

Apparently the hotel has a "butler" style service but I would much rather be at the roof top enjoying a delicious Turkish breakfast overlooking The Galata tower.

images from Autoban and THH

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Take me to Macakizi in Bodrum, Turkey

Did I die and wake up in heaven? Have you seen anything more beautiful than this place? No, this blog is not been paid by The Turkish Tourism Office but, if there is anyone in Turkey, especially in the Bodrum area, with room for a family of three who needs decorating or event designing services for residential or commercial; I'm in. I mean, can you blame me? Macakizi Hotel in Bodrum is one of the most stunning places I've seen, so far. And people like Chelsea Clinton and Caroline Kennedy seem to agree with me. It's unpretentious but classic and its Mediterranean decor and setting make me want to give up everything, including my bathroom renovations, and jump on a plane and just breathe; all the beauty in. The food, so incredibly fresh doesn't hurt either.

Imagine getting out of this little piece of heaven every morning.

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