Rio de Janeiro, BrazilSanta Teresa
Chez Georges
Brutalist hillside villa
Santa Teresa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Opened
2019
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Heritage LocalOutside the door
The house
GeorgesBrutalist hillside villa
The 1970s concrete villa runs as an intimate guesthouse, where days move between turntable records and lap swims overlooking Guanabara Bay.
“The boutique hotel designed by modernist architect Wladimir Alves de Souza is a work of art—details include a modern leather sofa that looks like a hotdog”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Board-formed concrete meets mid-century Ricardo Fasanello chairs and vintage European flea-market finds.
Notable
A landmark 1974 modernist residence entered through a monumental six-meter hardwood door.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler, Softer Volumes and AFAR.
Its interiors are a rebuke to anyone who thinks Brutalism has to feel cold or institutional.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Santa Teresa's art studios and cafes line the lane, and the Afro-Brazilian bar Agô is ten minutes away on foot.
The rooms
Suites have raw concrete ceilings and wooden sinks, and floor-to-ceiling glass opens onto a shared balcony facing the sunrise.
The lap pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The 15-meter outdoor lap pool has a counter-current swim jet and a wooden deck facing Sugarloaf Mountain.
At the table
Communal breakfast is served on the terrace corridor, with warm pão de queijo and fresh tropical fruit.
The boutique hotel itself was airy and minimalist. What struck me were the small, artistic details—artwork tucked into bookcases alongside records, candlesticks, Portuguese books, and musical instruments.
How it began
A soundproof recording studio sits directly under the lap pool, built by musician and co-founder Olivier Verwilghen when converting the 1974 residence.
“Brazilian Brutalist architecture in Rio de Janeiro’s Santa Teresa neighbourhood, a showcase of transcontinental modernism by nationally renowned architect Wladimir Alves de Souza.”
Rio de Janeiro
More like this
MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel
“Bohemian plantation mansion”
Hotel Nacional Rio de Janeiro
“Modernist coastal revival”
Hotel Arpoador
“Modernist beachside bolthole”
Janeiro Hotel
“Carioca modernist tower”
Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro
“Carioca design stage”
Villa Paranaguá Hotel & SPA (SPA e Restaurante apenas por Reserva)
“Restored modernist villa”
Ipanema Inn
“Modernist Carioca inn”
La Suite by Dussol
“Clifftop modernist villa”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.