Close to the imperial city of Petrópolis, the district of Corrêas in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, is home to one of the best boutique hotels in the country. At the feet of the lush Serra dos Órgãos National Park the Casa Marambaia opens its historic doors to welcome us in the comfort of a farmhouse.
Completely surrounded by greenery, the hotel carries purpose in its name. As in a real home, we are welcomed and pleased in the right way. This is because, in fact, the address was once a private residence.
Built in the 1940s, the mansion inside Fazenda Marambaia, 15 minutes from the center of Petrópolis, was adapted to accommodate a hotel structure and reopened in 2021. What was a private story turned into a shared trajectory – and today we have the chance to enjoy this pleasure.
Refuge in the mountains
I recently spent a few days in Serra Fluminense for recording special episodes of CNN Travel & Gastronomy in Rio de Janeiro. During my stay at Casa Marambaia, I noticed that the past has a strong place in the house, whether in the 19th century French paintings or the period furniture, but contemporary touches are mixed throughout the rooms.
This includes personalized service, gastronomy, which is surprising and delicious, and well-being experiences, which embrace nature in different ways.
To the eight suites of the main house and the four villas Deep in the woods, they create an ideal getaway atmosphere for couples, families and groups of friends, even more so on weekends, when getting away from the big city becomes precious. As in a house open to socializing, pets are also welcome.
Suites and villas
The mansion is right in front of the garden designed by none other than Roberto Burle Marx an icon of landscaping in Brazil. We can enjoy free views of the greenery on an external patio, where breakfast and dinner are also served.
The restaurant’s colonial-style windows Odette open to non-guests, share the same views, which is repeated in the rooms, whose balconies frame the scene like a living canvas. Speaking of which, I stayed at Marambaia Suite one of the most special: it is 55 m² with a balcony, bathroom with hydromassage, fireplace and dining table.
All suites are different from each other, but full of a rustic refinement that harmonizes with the architectural design. There is also the Grand Deluxe Suite, with two double beds, suitable for stays with children, and the Classic Suite, measuring 25 m².
Injecting a dose of contemporary, the villas also differ from each other. Villa 08, for example, sleeps four people and has a panoramic deck with hot tub, as well as a living room with kitchen.
Villa 03 is 60 m² and is located at the foot of a lake. If a group trip is in your sights, the largest of the villas is 427 m² and houses eight people. No matter the request: elegance and comfort are included.
From the garden to the table
The same nature that enchants our eyes is brought to the table. At the end of 2023, the chef Douglas Franco He renovated the restaurant’s cuisine and added more Brazilian flavor to the area’s Franco-Brazilian proposal.
Most of the vegetables come from the hotel’s own garden, and work to value small producers is the chef’s focus. At the table, proteins support everything that comes from the earth.
From breakfast to dinner, the preparations are surprising. Early in the morning, the bread basket is accompanied by a brioche that is to eat while praying. Avocado toast, toast, fruits and juices are served in the colonial atmosphere.
At lunch and dinner, the menu has preparations such as finely sliced pear carpaccio with raw ham, goat cheese and honey vinaigrette and also the perfect egg bathed in asparagus cream.
Among the main ones, there is pressed oxtail with smoked eggplant puree and watercress; guinea fowl in rôti sauce with honeyed rice, grilled okra and toasted leaves and filet mignon medallion with brown sugar and pink pepper sauce. Basque pie with guava syrup and corn brulée covered in caramelized popcorn are among the sweets.
The cool thing is that the menu names the local producers who supply certain raw materials, such as trout, which comes from neighboring Quinta das Nascentes, and escargot, which also comes from Escargots Invernada, in Petrópolis.
For a different experience, it’s worth checking out the wine cellar, which hosts special dinners. The atmosphere is more intimate and a chandelier made from old wine bottles catches the eye.
Focus on well-being
Around Burle Marx’s garden, a swimming pool looks great on the sunniest days, but it’s not the only one. For the mountain climate, the indoor and heated pool is more suitable than the Amana Spa also equipped with saunas and chromotherapy showers. Various therapies are offered and there are day spa packages.
Well-being care reminds us that this is a serious matter here: in October, the hotel teamed up with the Gaucho spa Kurotel to offer a program focused on balancing the body and mind. This included support from doctors, psychologists and nutritionists for activities such as meditation, walking, water aerobics and functional training, as well as encouraging physical and digital detoxification.
Tennis courts, beach tennis, bikes, yoga classes and trails alongside guides are an invitation to movement. An equestrian center and even a small farm promote contact with animals, especially when the little ones are on the trip. On the way back, a picnic can be arranged.
The fireplace in the garden, which features wooden armchairs around a fireplace, is ideal for ending the day with glasses of wine in hand. As temperatures get colder, stars line up in the sky. All that’s left is to toast and look up.
Casa Marambaia
Rua Dr. Agostinho Goulão, 2098 – Corrêas, Petrópolis – RJ / Hotel reservations: (24) 99965-2115 / Restaurant reservations via link / More information at website and by Instagram.
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The post Casa Marambaia is a refuge in Serra Fluminense that excels in hospitality appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
