São Paulo – Despite little known internationally, the city of Gramado, in the cold Gaúcha mountain range, has housed the first “Exclusive House” hotel in Brazil, Saint Andrews, for a year. With just 11 suites, it may accommodate 22 people and offers exclusive services so guests “may feel at home with highly sophisticated services”, according to director general José Eduardo Guinle.
Located within a residential condominium, Saint Andrews is turned to Quilombo Valley, considered the post card of the city. Erected in a 10,000 square metre piece of land, the hotel covers 1,700 square meters.
The differential may be seen once the guest arrives, and is met at the airport by a driver who takes him to Saint Andrews, to background classical music. On arrival he is greeted with a glass of sparkling wine in a decorated hall containing replicas of artefacts of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, hand painted and detailed in bronze.
The establishment has three butlers who are available 24 hours a day. “They are there to provide anything guests may want. They pack and unpack luggage, charge mobile phones, buy medication or anything else the guest may require and that is not available at the hotel,” said Guinle. Saint Andrews also has two drivers who are available to take visitors sightseeing.
Turned to couples, Saint Andrews only has two suites with single beds. “We do not add a third bed and do not recommend the kids under age 12 staying at the hotel,” pointed out the director general. However, the hotel may be closed for exclusive events for up to 60 people, like weddings and executive meetings. The hotel may also be closed exclusively for a family. It offers this flexibility, which differentiates it from other establishments,” said the director.
Gastronomy is another strong point for Saint Andrews. Run by chef Marina Fontes, who graduated in gastronomy from Johnson and Wales University, in Florida, and who has already worked for luxury hotels Emiliano and Renaissance, in São Paulo, the dishes served at the hotel are international, especially Mediterranean, appreciating organic ingredients.
Personalization of the menu makes the difference at mealtimes. “The hotel, as it is small, almost makes it possible for our chef to provide a ‘tailor-made’ menu. At the time of reservation, we ask about preferences and food restrictions and the chef modifies the menu for each guest,” said Guinle. The guest may also choose where he wants his meal: breakfast may be had in the garden, lunch in the reading room, all to make the environment “closer and more comforting”, he says.
For wine lovers, Saint Andrews has a gourmet wine cellar with 239 labels and capacity for over 1,200 bottles. The space also offers a cooker and grill, where guests may cook at small events in the company of the chef.
If you want to take care of your beauty, the hotel also offers therapy and massages developed exclusively for the hotel. Guests choose the service and the site in which they want it. If they decide on the Saint Andrews spa, they will have available to them two massage and revitalizing therapy rooms, a dry sauna and a wet sauna as well as a warm pool.
The gazebos in the hotel garden provide another special touch to the Saint Andrews. At one there is a gourmet bakery and pizzeria. There, in the evening, guests may choose their favourite pizza sauces. The herbs and spices are picked in the hotel vegetable garden.
Daily rates at Saint Andrews range from 1,500 Brazilian reals (US$ 800) to 3,900 reals (US$ 2,100). All suites are named after gems, which inspire the decoration of the rooms. In the Diamond suite, the most expensive, there are two separate bathrooms in Italian marble, two closets, home theatres, a hall, veranda, king size bed and LED TV with a mini Macintosh computer connected to it. In late September, Saint Andrews was elected best Luxury hotel in the country by Guia Quatro Rodas.
Gramado
Gramado has 33,000 inhabitants and was colonized by Italians and Germans. Tourism is the city’s main source of income. The city hosts great events, like congresses and seminars, apart from the Brazilian and Latin Cinema Festival, one of the most traditional in Latin America.
“Gramado has always been a destination turned to a more sophisticated market,” said Guinle. “Apart from great events, the city also promotes Natal Luz (Christmas Lights), one of the main Christmas events in Brazil,” he pointed out. The city is famous for its low temperatures and excellent quality chocolate.
Service
Hotel Saint Andrews
Rua das Flores, 171
Vale do Bosque – Gramado – Rio Grande do Sul
Tel.: (+55 54) 3295-7700
E-mail: reservas@saintandrews.com.br
Site: www.saintandrews.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
