Hotel Fasamo

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One of city’s first boutique hotels, the Emiliano (1) is a study in modernism. Angular exterior walls made of glass open to a restful contemporary interior in which room amenities are so technologically complex (sensors adjust lights and temperature according to the number of people in the room; a toilet/bidet has a heated seat) as to utterly surpass guests’ expectations. Check-in includes a butler escort to rooms laid out with fruit and wine. More importantly, the Emiliano has one of the city’s few hotel heliports, a considerable advantage for anyone with security concerns. The hotel’s business capabilities include worldwide support for interactive long-distance meetings, a digital whiteboard and a multipoint videoconference system featuring a camera directed by voice control. Spa guests enjoy a full range of services, while the gym offers panoramic views of the chaotic cosmopolis that is São Paulo.

If business takes you to São Paulo’s Marginal Pinheiros district, the Grand Hyatt São Paulois (2) a self-contained choice—important because the area is not as amenable to after-hours activities as Jardins. The hotel compensates with a separate building housing Japanese and French restaurants, an extensive wine library and a music lounge. If you cannot arrange a spa treatment in the Amanary Spa, consult the hotel’s organic soap menu. Practical considerations include an on-call doctor, technology concierge and 24-hour laundry and valet services. Guests in Grand Club rooms can make use of personalized concierge service and a private boardroom and lounge. While executive and diplomatic suites offer a few upgraded amenities, guests who book the presidential suite will enjoy a furnished outdoor terrace, a dining room that seats eight, whirlpool tub with Amazonian plant-based bath products and high-tech touches such as a Bose surround-sound stereo, flat-screen TVs, DVD players and electronic curtains. The hotel’s on-site business center offers extended hours to accommodate international time zones, secretarial and translation services, courier service and a business reference library. (Numbers reference to hotels on map)
 

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Located near verdant Parque Siqueira Campos (Trianon Park) and a short walk from Avenida Paulista, the Gran Meliá Mofarrej (3) is ideally situated near the city’s business and financial center, yet is close enough for a quick jaunt to Jardins. The hotel’s 228 rooms afford some of the city’s best views. Guests staying in executive, diplomatic and presidential suites—some of the most spacious suites in town—have access to private lounges and receive the services of a private butler. The hotel’s fitness center and indoor and outdoor swimming pools distinguish the Mofarrej from other São Paulo business hotels. The nearby São Paulo Art Museum displays one of the finest collections of European and Brazilian art in South America, with pieces by Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lautrec and Raphael.

Connected to both the World Trade Center and the Design and Decoration (D&D) Center, the Gran Meliá WTC São Paulo (4) is designed for business travelers. The hotel boasts its own heliport and one of the largest and newest conference centers in the city, with advanced audiovisual equipment and experienced event staff. The Gran Meliá is also one of the few São Paulo hotels with pervasive wireless Internet access. Wireless access is free for those staying on royal service floors, where guests have access to personal butlers and private lounges. The hotel’s location restricts outdoor excursions to the Morumbi shopping center, D&D shopping center and Avenida Luis Carlos Berrini. The hotel makes up for this with on-site workout options that include tennis courts and a jogging track, in addition to the requisite pool and fitness center.

The very European Hotel Fasano (5) is the eponymous restaurant family’s first foray into the hotel business. The Fasano straddles the business centers of avenidas Paulista and Brigadeiro Faria Lima, yet is immediately accessible to Jardins, with such stylish neighbors as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Dior. Each of the hotel’s 50 rooms overlooks Jardins and offers high-speed Internet access. Guests also benefit from 24-hour security. A fleet of Chrysler PT Cruisers is available for guest pickups and drop-offs. The meeting center offers multimedia and videoconference resources, and the services of a secretary, interpreter and simultaneous translators. Given the Fasano family’s heritage, it is no surprise that the namesake restaurant is considered one of the best in Brazil. The on-site jazz bar, Baretto, was tabbed as the best bar in the world by Wallpaper magazine. Two other Fasano-owned restaurants are within walking distance, and the hotel loans cars to guests wanting to explore the family’s other gastronomic establishments in São Paulo.

Located in the heart of São Paulo’s financial center, the InterContinental São Paulo (6) lies adjacent to Avenida Paulista. Designed in the Art Deco style and featuring Brazilian artwork, the hotel is best suited for business-minded guests who are not seeking trendy design or boutique amenities. Room decor recalls a home office fitted with residential comforts. All rooms have free high-speed Internet access, but guests must pay a nominal fee for use of the downstairs gym. Guests staying on club floors have access to breakfast rooms, as well as an open bar during happy hour in the club lounge. The two-story presidential suite provides a private setting for business entertaining, with a dining room that seats 10, as well as a Jacuzzi and sauna. All services are available 24 hours a day.

City Tips
Restaurants and bars with table service usually add a 10 percent service charge, and it is customary to tip an additional 5 percent. If the charge is not included, give 15 percent.

Bars and clubs may give you a card when you enter. Your waiter will mark your food and drinks as you order. When you leave, the cashier will stamp your card paid; you present it to the doorman on the way out. Some bars may add a service charge. If not, no tipping is expected.

For taxis, just round up the sum shown on the meter to the nearest real.

Driving
Foreign licenses are accepted for up to six months, although an international drivers license is preferable. Beware that Brazil has one of the highest accident death rates in the world.
 
Electricity
The area has a variety of electrical voltages, and outlets may accept more than one plug configuration. Contact your hotel before leaving for voltage and adapter information.

2006 Regional Holidays*
January 25 Foundation Day (only in São Paulo)
Feb. 26–March 2 Carnival
April 21     Tiradentes Day
May 1   Labor Day/Corpus Christi Day
September 7  Independence Day
October 12   Our Lady  Aparecida Day
November 2  All Souls Day
November 15  Republic Day
*Christmas, New Year's Day & Easter are also observed.

At a Glance
Telephone Codes:
Country code: +55
São Paulo: 11
To call abroad from São Paulo:00 followed by company access code: 21 Embratel
15 Telefonica 
23 Intelig
followed by country code.

American Consulate:
+55 .11.5186.7000
 
Emergencies:
Police 190
Ambulance 192
Fire  193
Albert Einstein Hospital +55.11.3747.1233
Hospital Sírio Libanês +55.11.3155.0200

Recreation & Cultural Attractions
13 Avenue Paulista
The Fifth Avenue of São Paulo.
 
14 Parque Siqueira Campos
Just off Avenida Paulista, this park’s shaded benches provide a cool refuge.

15 Parque do Ibirapuera
Ave. Pedro Álvares Cabral
+55.11.574.0884
São Paulo’s largest park is home to sports facilities, a planetarium and two modern art museums.

16 Museu de Arte de São Paulo 
Ave. Paulista 1578
+55.11.3251.5644
One of Latin America’s best collections of Western art.

17 Iguatemi Shopping Center 
Ave. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 2232
This very exclusive mall serves the city’s most affluent residential neighborhoods.

18 Morumbi Shopping Center  
Ave. Roque Petroni Jr 1089
Upscale shopping north of the business district.

19 World Trade Center
Ave. das Nações Unidas 12551
+55.11.3043.7117

20 Museu Paulista 
Parque da Independicia
Also called Museu do Ipiranga, this architectural landmark, with its formal gardens, is a monument to the city’s history and independence.

(Numbers reference to points of interest on map)

Restaurants
7 Antiquarius
Alameda Lorena 1884
+55.11.3082.3015
Portuguese cuisine served up in the ritzy Jardins district.

8 Fasano
Rua Vitorio Fasano 88
+55.11.3896.4000
The Fasano family is legendary for its Italian restaurants; this one is in its namesake Fasano hotel.

9 Laurent
Alameda Lorena 1899
+55.11.3062.1452
Fine French cuisine using native Brazilian ingredients.

10 Figueira Rubaiyat
Rua Haddock Lobo 1738
+55.11.3063.3888
Named after the giant fig tree under which it sits, Figueira Rubaiyat is considered the city’s most beautiful restaurant.

11 Massimo
Alameda Santos 1826
+55.11.3284.0311
Fine Italian cuisine with 35 daily specials.

12 Jun Sakamoto
Rua Lisboa 55
+55.11.3088.6019
Considered the best Japanese food in a city with the largest Japanese population outside of Japan.

(Numbers reference to restaurants on map)