The Best Spa in Brazil (Plus, a Mini Guide to São Paulo)
The center of a city of over 12 million people might seem like a hard place to relax. But step inside the Rosewood São Paulo and you do—almost instantly. The two buildings—one is an industrial skyscraper designed by architect Jean Nouvel and covered in lush jungle foliage, and the other, a newly renovated landmark building that was once a hospital and maternity ward—feel like a retreat.
The stunning Philippe Starck interiors showcase locally sourced marble, wood, and art. There’s an open-air tropical garden surrounding a pool and restaurant, plus a rooftop with a second pool, green-terraced pergola, and bar. Beyond that, there are two more delicious restaurants, a cocktail-lounge-meets-live-music-space, an art gallery, and a chapel with stained glass murals by Vik Muniz.
But the very best (and, of course, most relaxing) part is the brand-new Asaya Spa, where you can soak up Brazil’s unique take on beauty and self-care. It starts with the stunning Crystal Room, a shimmering floor-to-ceiling alcove studded with 400 quartz crystals where you can have guided meditations, Reiki sessions, reflexology massages, and—my favorite—head massages. (The latter was so relaxing that I fell asleep.)
The spa is a destination all its own, with a gym, makeup and hair salon, marble Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and private studio where you can book yoga, sound healing, Pilates, and more; they even offer memberships for locals.
If you really want to indulge, book an afternoon in the Panapanã Room, a massive private spa suite that feels like a jewelry box, with bronze mirrored-glass ceilings that reflect the cozy cream armchairs, the wooden floors and walls, and more crystals. It has its own lounge and wet room with a Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, and you can have fruit, champagne, and more delivered.
Body Treatments
Every service at the spa starts with a warm, bitter cacao drink and ends with a rain-stick ritual (the rain sticks are made by the Indigenous Pataxó people) for healing and energy clearing. The most unique treatment was also my favorite: the Brazilian Feathers massage. A therapist lightly dry brushes your body with delicate feather brushes—it soothes yet electrifies your senses—and finishes with a relaxing oil massage that leaves you feeling loose-limbed and clearheaded.
I also loved the Acalento scrub and hydration ritual, which uses Amazonian fruits like cupuaçu and Brazil nut to leave skin soft and velvety. After a full-body exfoliation, the moisture-bomb massage totally melts away stress. I’ve been doing this body ritual at home once a week to approximate the two treatments, using Amazon-sourced ingredients where I can.
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1. Stimulate your skin
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2. Cleanse with murumuru
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3. Exfoliate for glow
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4. Rejuvenate with morete oil
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5. Moisturize with cupuaçu butter
Hair Treatments
Although Brazilian hair straightening is a popular treatment for smoothing, straightening, and de-frizzing hair, it involves formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The salon offers healthier, decidedly more nourishing options instead, layering serums, masks, and conditioners to leave your hair smooth and sleek. Here’s my at-home version.
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Serum
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Leave-In
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Mask
A MINI GUIDE TO SÃO PAULO
São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city, but it’s less popular for tourists—which is exactly why you should go. There are incredible art museums, food, and shopping. I loved the energy. The weather is gloriously hot and humid, but not so much so that you can’t enjoy being outdoors and sightseeing. Note: Pack more sunscreen than you think you’ll need.
DO
Mercado Municipal Paulistano
On the banks of the Tamanduateí River, this massive food market is the best place to try all sorts of local street food and get coffee and cacao for souvenirs.
Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand
One of Brazil’s first modern museums, it showcases the best of Brazilian art with paintings, sculptures, photography, metalwork, and more. On Sundays, there’s a vintage and antiques fair right outside.
Ibirapuera Park
This is like the Central Park of São Paulo—it’s amazing for people-watching and a nice long walk in the afternoon.
EAT AND DRINK
Ema
This spot has a vintage vibe with green booths, gold décor, and inventive seafood.
D.O.M.
This is the only restaurant in Brazil with two Michelin stars, so reservations book up here months in advance. Chef Alex Atala, a Brazilian native, sources ingredients all over Brazil for his elevated dishes.
Rodeio
This Brazilian steak and BBQ spot is where to get the best picanha (Brazil’s most popular cut of beef).
Esquina Mocotó
Born and raised in São Paulo, chef Rodrigo Oliveira serves northern Brazilian cuisine with exotic fruits and vegetables and fantastic cocktails.
La Tambouille
Go here for the incredible feijoada, a Brazilian black bean and beef stew.
Bar Veloso
Popular with locals and tourists alike, this cute bar is famous for its caipirinhas (Brazil’s national cocktail) and mouthwatering coxinha (a popular croquette-esque street food).
SHOP
Adriana Degreas
The prettiest resortwear and swimsuits with colorful prints, cool shapes, and chic embellishments from an amazing local designer.
Pinga
This large, quirky boutique carries both local and international fashion, plus homeware.
Haight
For sleek, clean-lined clothes like structured shorts and breezy linen pants.
Arte-zã Joias
This designer creates beautiful cuff bracelets and necklaces with colorful beads and wire.
